New Presbyter Installed in Kiskiminetas

It’s been three years in coming, but the Presbytery of Kiskiminetas finally has a new leader.

The Rev. Dr. Donald R. Wilson is described as “a man with a fresh vision for leading the presbytery.”

The Presbytery of Kiskiminetas, one of 15 presbyteries in the Synod of the Trinity, encompasses the counties of Armstrong, Clarion, Elk, Indiana, Jefferson & part of Cambria, totaling 80 churches with a combined membership of 7,390.

Wilson was installed on Sunday, May 15, 2016 at the Glade Run Presbyterian Church in Dayton, PA.

Dr. Wilson is from Presbyterians Caring for Chaplains and Military Personnel (PCCMP) in Washington, D.C. Although, Dr. Wilson will remain on their staff part-time, he will reside within the bounds of the presbytery as he assumes his role here.

Dr. Wilson’s fulfillment of the General Presbyter’s (GP) position follows the retirement of long-time GP, Rev. Dr. Wayne A. Yost, and an interim team comprised of Rev. Gary Lyon – Crossroads Community Presbyterian Church in Leechburg, Rev. Colleen McFarland – Dayton Glade Run Presbyterian Church in Kittanning, Rev. Mary Marks King – Union First Presbyterian Church - Cowansville and the Presbytery’s Stated Clerk, Marilyn Tully of Falls Creek.

Dr. Wilson’s career started by serving four years in civilian churches; Campus Minister/Hattiesburg, MS; Associate Pastor for Youth and Children Ministry/Middletown, OH before entering active duty as an Air Force Chaplain. From 1989 to 2011, he served in several different positions at many military bases around the world. In 2011, Dr. Wilson retired from the Air Force to take on the position of Associate Director for the PCCMP. There, he served as a Parish Associate at National Presbyterian Church and member of National Capital Presbytery’s Committee on Preparation for Ministry.

Dr. Wilson graduated from King College in Bristol, TN with a BA in History and Political Science. He completed a Master of Divinity degree at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Bethel University in St. Paul, MN. He completed 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Additionally, he completed all three Air Force Officer levels of professional education; Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College and Air War College. He also completed the Air Force Academic Instructor School and was one of two American Chaplains invited to attend the 1996 International Chaplain Course sponsored by the German Government.

Dr. Wilson is married to Becky and they have four children and one grandchild. He is an avid marathon runner having completed 41 marathons and one ultra-marathon.