Canales, John & Mary Jo

John and Mary Jo are excited to serve alongside the churches of the Pacific Islands, where John will train and coach pastors and church leaders and Mary Jo will disciple women and children. Together they will connect international churches with those on the Islands and provide logistical support for visiting partners. All this will require extensive travel, learning several languages and, above all, building relationships that form the foundation of the ministry.

John grew up in New York City and later in Miami. Mary Jo grew up in Venezuela. They married in 1989 and have two sons, Gray and Jack. John served in the U.S. Air Force before entering pastoral ministry. He graduated from Reformed Theological Seminary (1996) and has served pastorates in Florida, Philadelphia, and Texas. Mary Jo has served on staff with several churches and with Evangelism Explosion, all while discipling young women and girls.