Ian and Katie Dornan

Where did you grow up?

Johannesburg. But I have lived in a few places around the country and internationally as my Dads aviation career moved us around.

Where did you go to school?

Primary Schools: Nooitgedacht (Afrikaans school), Bryandale Primary, King George V in Hong Kong. I went to Fourways High School.

Did you study at University?

No I was never the academic type. I have done a seven month diploma in Business Management.

Where have you/do you work?

I presently run my own Toshiba Dealership and have worked in office automation for 13 years.

I worked on Rovas Rail for seven months travelling throughout Southern Africa. Before that, I worked in many restaurants and bars as a young guy in school and out to earn money. The funny story is that at the age of 10 I started a company called “Sparkle Car” at the back of my home in an old blue tent. It actually did very well earning R250-R300 per month.

Family:

How did you meet your wife?

Katie and I actually went to the same School, called Fourways High. She was three years below me but we never said one word to each other. (Eds note: Ian only grew tall and handsome later in life.)

We officially met at the Fourways Mall in 2003 as I saw her come out of a music shop. I then felt the ‘sudden urge’ to leave Ruby’s coffee shop and go over and introduce myself to her. The rest they say is history.

How long have you been married?

Katie and I have been married nearly 2 ½ years.

Space kadets

October.

Faith

When did you become a Christian?

I was raised in a great Christian family and had a knowledge of Jesus and the truth but never accepted it. The date when I met Christ was around September 1998 at Mimmo’s pizzeria.

Book in the bible which you’ve been impacted by and why?

Wow, this is a hard question to answer but for me the best book of the bible is the one that I am presently in and meditating on. However some books have had a profound impact on my life such as:

• Timothy (key book of leadership and gifts).
•  Romans (God’s incredible promise, provision, power, purpose and election are seen right through the book).
• Ephesians (great book on the tri-union God head’s involvement in salvation, the grace and power of Jesus Christ and the seven awesome pictures we see of the church in her many facets) .
• Hebrews (this incredible look at covenant, inheritance to be gained or lost, Looking at Jesus the man, his victory and power through the blood).
• Revelations (the wrapping up of history and the church’s future, purpose and victory).

Think big!

A tough lesson you’ve had to learn in your faith?

That God is way more patient with me than I am. He loves me despite my failures or successes and that he does not love me more if I perform better. When I see Jesus and his life here on earth, I can get very discouraged when I see my life not reflecting His, in word, deed, speech and thought; but then I am reminded that I have His righteousness and on that level, I am dearly accepted in the beloved Jesus.

The other tough one is that God will expose all lies through his truth. As a young believer I have had to learn in business that truth is always needed at all times and God will have you choose to lose a business deal if it meant keeping the truth and never lying. I think one of the big lessons I had to learn in my faith is that God is Love and he is my Father, but he is the God of Holiness, Justice and Purity and that there is an inheritance to gain and lose.

Where do you hope LifeHouse Church* will be in a year’s time?

I really trust and pray that LifeHouse Church will be even more effective as a tool in God’s hand in Johannesburg, South Africa and the world. It will be a church where growth is determined by the belief, generosity, love, commitment, consistent love for God’s word and where people continually encounter the Spirit of Jesus.

That we will be a church that not only fights the good battles, but knows how to love one another deeply, sincerely as a family, to play to one another’s strengths and cover each others’ weaknesses.

To be a church that lives to see Christ preached to all people. I hope in a year that we have doubled in our influence and impact as we play out this incredible last act as Jesus wraps up this world and brings in his full rule and reign.

A little bit of fun.

Favourite holiday destination?

Over landing and camping in rough remote places in the bush.

Best holiday you ever had?

Tanzania in 2005 and Canada now with my wife in 2011.

Country you would most like to visit?

Well it was Canada until we went there recently. Now I would say Croatia or Italy.

Favourite movies(s)?

Shawshank Redemption/ Brave Heart/ Titanic.

Favourite Book?

Bible

Ian was always a strong swimmer...

Favourite restaurant?

Any Pizza restaurant/ meat shop.

Favourite meal? 600 grammer ribs/ or Large Mince/ avo pizza.

Favourite dessert?

Ice cream with Malva Pudding, but hey anything goes.

Best coffee shop excluding LifeHouse?

Mugg and Bean.

Hours per week spent on Facebook? Be honest now.

One to two per week.

Also check out 30 Seconds with Gary and 30 Seconds with Steve.

*LifeHouse Church meets at The Arena Royale, at the Broadacres Shopping Centre in Chartwell, north of Fourways, Johannesburg.