Rev. Jean-Daniel O’Donncada

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The National Pastor

What is the national pastor’s role?

The national pastor is a teacher and counsellor to the whole church, a pastor to our pastors, the chief executive officer of the national office, our representative to the binational College of Regional Ministers of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada, and our primary spokesperson to the media, political leaders, and other religious communities within Canada.

As our congregations are a covenant partners, the national church does not control their decisions, but the national pastor serves as a consultant to local congregations or clergy, assisting in difficult times and a connecting them to the wider church.

Education and Professional Experience

Pastor Jean-Daniel holds undergraduate degrees from Harvard University where he graduated with the highest honours and was commencement speaker. He earned his master of divinity at Yale University. He has begun PhD studies in practical theology at Université de Montréal. Jean-Daniel has served as a missionary to California, has been a camp and youth conference leader across North America, a children’s and youth pastor, and hospital chaplain. For nine years, prior to serving as national pastor, Jean-Daniel led Chapelle Ste-Marthe, a multidenominational young adult ministry in Montréal. His advanced academic work has focused on children’s and youth ministry and pastoral care of neurodiverse young people. He is fluent in English and French, but has also studied and led worship in Spanish and Irish.

Beyond the Church

Jean-Daniel grew up in Massachusetts and New Brunswick and has lived most of his adult life in Québec. He is a passionate advocate for children’s rights, minority language preservation, and autism accommodations, and has been a sought after speaker, media consultant, and educator on those topics, bringing him into shared projects with partners such as the great Canadian children’s musician Raffi. He also has written plays, one of which, So an autistic priest and a service dog walk into a bar… won multiple awards at Canadian Fringe Festivals in 2024.

Jean-Daniel loves photography and art, Anne of Green Gables, musical theatre, swimming, and dog training. He lives in Montréal with his young adult twin daughters, dog, and cats.

Unashamed of Disability Accomodations

Jean-Daniel is accompanied nearly everywhere by Rilla Blythe, his service dog.