Jon Dong
Elder
Hi, I’m Jon! I was born and raised here in Kent, Washington. I am the son of immigrant parents, longtime faithful C&MA ministry workers, and grew up at the Vietnamese C&MA churches of the Seattle-area — hearing stories of the Lord’s miraculous preservation of His people from perils of the Vietnam War. As a teen, scripture helped me see clearly that my own life needed to be surrendered to Jesus. I was baptized at 13 and have been walking with Him ever since—sometimes faithfully, sometimes falteringly, often echoing the words of Come Thou Fount: “prone to wander, Lord, I feel it.” But even in those moments, I’ve always found myself drawn back to His grace.
Iwona immigrated to the United States as a young child from then-communist Poland with her parents and siblings—bringing little with them but their faith in God and clothes on their back. She and I met in optometry school and were married seven years ago. During our training, we had the opportunity to serve together, often in majority Spanish-speaking communities, from Western Chicago to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Every rhythm of our life is cross-cultural—me coming from a Vietnamese-American background, Iwona from a Polish one. It shows in the way we raise our children, who are growing up dancing between the languages and customs of their families and friends. It is the life of our clinical practice as well: at See Saw Eyecare here in Kent—one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the entire country.
We’ve been with you all at Faith Church for the last six years of joys and, of course, many challenges. Our kids—Krystian (6) and Anastazja (5)—keep us on our toes, and we’re joyfully awaiting the arrival of our third child this November. Iwona fills our home with warmth, creativity, and hospitality, and orchestrates work, homeschooling, church and family life with true Proverbs 31 grace. Over the past several years, I’ve had the joy of helping lead our congregation in worship alongside a team of skilled, dedicated, and deeply worshipful musicians. It’s important to me that we not only lead our congregation well, but also build one another up—helping each other grow in skill, in spirit, and in a deeper love for the One we’re singing to.
I step into this elder candidacy with open hands and a listening heart. I want to hear what you’re praying for, what you’re hoping for, and where you believe God is leading us as a church. I believe in us building genuine community — a church where families are known, cared for, and invited into shared rhythms of life. A church like what is described in Acts 2—devoted to the teaching, to prayer, to meals and generosity, to worship and life together. A church where real needs are met, friendships run deep, and the joy of the gospel spills out into the neighborhoods around us. I’m grateful to be on this journey with you.
Iwona immigrated to the United States as a young child from then-communist Poland with her parents and siblings—bringing little with them but their faith in God and clothes on their back. She and I met in optometry school and were married seven years ago. During our training, we had the opportunity to serve together, often in majority Spanish-speaking communities, from Western Chicago to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Every rhythm of our life is cross-cultural—me coming from a Vietnamese-American background, Iwona from a Polish one. It shows in the way we raise our children, who are growing up dancing between the languages and customs of their families and friends. It is the life of our clinical practice as well: at See Saw Eyecare here in Kent—one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the entire country.
We’ve been with you all at Faith Church for the last six years of joys and, of course, many challenges. Our kids—Krystian (6) and Anastazja (5)—keep us on our toes, and we’re joyfully awaiting the arrival of our third child this November. Iwona fills our home with warmth, creativity, and hospitality, and orchestrates work, homeschooling, church and family life with true Proverbs 31 grace. Over the past several years, I’ve had the joy of helping lead our congregation in worship alongside a team of skilled, dedicated, and deeply worshipful musicians. It’s important to me that we not only lead our congregation well, but also build one another up—helping each other grow in skill, in spirit, and in a deeper love for the One we’re singing to.
I step into this elder candidacy with open hands and a listening heart. I want to hear what you’re praying for, what you’re hoping for, and where you believe God is leading us as a church. I believe in us building genuine community — a church where families are known, cared for, and invited into shared rhythms of life. A church like what is described in Acts 2—devoted to the teaching, to prayer, to meals and generosity, to worship and life together. A church where real needs are met, friendships run deep, and the joy of the gospel spills out into the neighborhoods around us. I’m grateful to be on this journey with you.