Ministry Focus
After 28 years of continual pastoral ministry in Little Falls NY, Metuchen NJ, Souderton PA and Williamsville NY, Paul and Dondra Decker entered into a new ministry challenge in 2009 – campus ministry. Having always possessed a burden for youth (especially college age), the Deckers joined the ministry team at the University at Buffalo, New York (the flagship of the SUNY universities). Paul comes alongside Missions Door ministers Tim Stewart and Sally Henien to reinforce the needs of discipleship, counseling, and evangelism.
Faith Story
Paul came to faith in Christ in 1970 when he was 11 years old. It was then that he understood his need of having Jesus in his life and determined to follow Him. When he was 16, Paul felt God call him to the ministry, so he gave up his dream of going into law, and entered Nyack College in order to prepare for ministry.
Dondra came to a relationship with the Lord in her early years. Her father was a pastor in various Christian and Missionary Alliance churches in western Pennsylvania.
Education
Paul:
- B.A. in Religion/Philosophy from Nyack College
- M.Div. from Seminary of the East
- Doctoral studies at Denver Seminary
- B.S. in Elementary Education from Nyack College
- M.S. in Reading Education from State University of New York, Cortland
WAYS TO SUPPORT
Paul and Dondra by making a financial donation using a Credit Card or by Direct Debit (ACH).
Learn more about where this ministry happens
In colorful communities and along scenic highways, diverse people and landscapes span coast to coast
Iconic American traditions include Thanksgiving dinner, jazz music and the Super Bowl. They meld with eclectic examples of multicultural heritage: numerous local Chinatowns, family-owned taquerias and even cowboy boots, which originated among the nomadic Huns of eastern Europe.
The nation's landscape shows just as many contrasts — sandy beaches and rocky coastlines, open plains and vast deserts, rugged mountains and winding canyons, and abundant rivers and lakes.
The ideals of life and liberty that founded the United States have made the country one of the world's most prosperous, though not without dark chapters and present troubles. Crime, discrimination and ethics violations make regular headlines, and many people live below the national poverty level.
Families view education as essential to the pursuit of happiness, if not also a path to wealth and power for the most ambitious. Yet Americans also demonstrate a charitable spirit of generosity toward neighbors and nations in need.
Freedom of religion grants opportunity for all faiths, but Christianity holds particular influence in country's history and daily life.
Your participation with Missions Door supports ministry in the United States among college students, including many international students, in collaboration local churches. It also enables social outreach, church planting and leadership development in a wide variety of communities — among Native Americans and other cultural groups, and in urban and suburban settings where growing and changing demographics create new opportunities for the Gospel.
Cultural Snapshot
Aside from the Native American, Native Hawaiian and Native Alaskan populations, nearly all Americans and their ancestors immigrated to the United States.
Faith Fact
In a 2013 survey, 56% of Americans said that religion played a "very important role in their lives” — a larger number than any other wealthy nation.
Country Profile
Population: 320 million
Major Religions: 47% Protestant, 23% unaffiliated, 21% Catholic, 6% other
Languages: 82% English, 11% Spanish, various others
Literacy: 99%
Poverty: 16%
Ministry service area:
Campus Ambassadors
Ministry location:
New York, United States