John Kornbau

John Kornbau grew up in Frederick County, Maryland. He is the fourth of five children, with four sisters. He was raised in a loving Christian family, and accepted the Lord as his Savior at the age of four. John began teaching in Child Evangelism Fellowship at the age of 15 when he lived in Maryland. John taught Good News Clubs, 5-Day Clubs, party clubs, and served as a counselor for several years at Camp Good News. John was involved in starting a children’s ministry at his church. He helped with face-painting evangelism at the fair for many years. As a teen John felt that the Lord was calling him to work full-time with children.

John graduated from Dayspring Christian School in 2000 and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in missions at Pensacola Christian College in 2004. While John was taking a course on the book of Genesis at Pensacola Christian College, he met Kelly Karnes who was also taking the class. They dated and got married in May 2004. Their daughter Alyssa was born in May 2005. Their second daughter Katelyn was born in November 2006. Their son Marcus was born in January 2008. Their second son Ethan was born in December 2009. Their third son Logan was born June 2012.  Their fourth son Micah was born in April 2015.

In the summer of 2005, John applied to work on staff with CHILD EVANGELISM FELLOWSHIP OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA, INC. That fall John and his family were invited to visit beautiful Wayne and Pike counties. They knew God wanted them to be a part of WAYNE-PIKE CHILD EVANGELISM FELLOWSHIP, INC. John, Kelly, and Alyssa moved to Honesdale, Pennsylvania on December 31, 2005. On September 1, 2013 John became the Director in Lackawanna County.

John was involved in teaching several released time classes, teacher training, camps, 5-Day Clubs, running the office, and many other activities. John loves teaching children.

In October, 2015, John and Kelly felt God calling them to go to Ireland.  The Kornbaus have completed their first 3 year term serving in Ireland.

Kelly Kornbau

I grew up in Minnesota with my parents and two younger brothers. My extended family is not saved. My mother was saved after her twin died at the age of 26. I was 7 years old. She started to wonder; what happens after you die? The result was her salvation.  She then started taking all of us to church. One day as she was reading a Bible story to my brothers and I, I asked Jesus to save me. My dad was saved years later.

I was baptized a few years later with my uncle Kevin. When I graduated high school I attended PCC. During Mission Prayer Band, I felt God asking me if I was willing to be a missionary. I told God I was willing to be a missionary, but didn’t really think God would take me up on that promise.

While in college, I helped with nursing home ministry. After college, I helped for 6 years as the Publicity Coordinator with MOPS in our church. I was also actively helping with our church nursery.

As of October 1, 2015 God has called us to Ireland. We prayed long and hard to make sure this was God’s will not our own. He made it very clear in many ways that this was His will. We then prayed over which mission board He wanted us to join. We joined BCM (Bible Centered Ministries, formerly called Bible Club Movement) back in November, 2015.