With Australia headlining this edition of IPC Connections, it was apt for us to spotlight IPC’s man on the ground in Australia – Donny McGregor.   Donny is a good friend and highly respected colleague with insightful knowledge and God-given passion for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. He sits on the IPC Council on behalf of the region.   

Join us as we hear about Donny’s life, calling, ministry and some words of wisdom drawn from his life of Christian service…

Donny McGregor is an ordained minister with Southern Cross Association of Churches in Australia.   He is the Founder of Generation Fire, author of the book ‘The Coming Firestorm’ and founder of the Business Fire Generation Solutions trading as Driven Digitally. Donny is one of the national prayer leaders in Australia and is on the advisory team for the World Prayer Assembly being hosted by Australia, in October 2023.

Watch this Video of the Story behind Generation Fire

Donnys Journey began when he met Jesus in 1993, and upon receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in 1995 he received the call to ministry.  He and studied at Aquila College of Ministry in Sydney 1996-1998 and graduated with a Diploma in Ministry. 

In 1998 Donny was invited to a Pastors Conference at the Brownsville Assemblies of God during the height of the Pensacola Revival. He had a hunger for God. During the event, he received a vision to take the fire of revival to the nations. 

Donny saw a vision of God holding the world in the palm of his hand, consumed in Fire.  This was followed by another vision of the east coast of Australia. Looking towards the horizon, a large hand was in the sky and as it swept over towards him, a Great Wave of Fire that stretched across the whole horizon approached towards the Coast and nothing could stop it. That is God's Firestorm. 

Donny’s relatives known as the McGregors, are South African missionaries to the USA.  They took Donny onboard and trained him for ministry for 2 years during which he travelled, ministering at churches and joining on mission trips to South Africa (1999) and Europe (2000).  In 1999, whilst visiting a Christian Youth Music Festival, Donny came across a movement called Youth Arise which was born out of the Solomon Islands and received the call of God to travel to Brisbane.  On New Years eve of 1999, he participated in a 12-hour Solemn Assembly to usher in the new millennium, along with 800 young adults in Brisbane Australia. It was there that Donny heard the voice of God to see the movement launch in Sydney. 

Between 1999 and 2005, Donny served as the NSW Coordinator for Youth Arise, which led revival camps and took teams to the Solomon Islands and Finland.  They met on the last Friday of each month for many years, bringing youth ministries together.  They also ran city wide prayer rallies.  In 2006, Youth Arise came to an end ahead of the birth of Generation Fire. 

In 2000, Donny met a man by divine appointment called Noel Bell who was the founder of Intercessors of Australia. This meeting changed Donnys life - as through it, he received a mantle to call the youth of the nation to prayer which would lay the foundation of the coming firestorm.  Noel became a spiritual father to Donny until he went to be with the lord in 2017.

Alongside these projects, in 2005, Donny was ordained as a minister (Southern Cross) and took on a church which transitioned into a network of house churches. 

Generation Fire was started in 2006 by a group of young adults during the last Revival Camp of Youth Arise.

Soon after launching Generation Fire, two South Africans travelled to Sydney to ask Donny to be involved with the Global Day of Prayer.  In September (2006) he flew to Malaysia to meet for the first time with Global Prayer Leaders and was introduced to John Robb (IPC) and Graham Power.  This opened many doors and through this Generation Fire Spread to many nations, and Donny helped spearhead 10 Days of Prayer   

Donny helped host 2 International Gatherings and one nationwide conference that saw ‘healing in the land’.  

Donny’s family and Personal Leisure and interests outside ministry work.

Donny and Robyn married in July 2023. They love doing life and ministry together.

They have 5 Children - 3 Girls and 2 Boys. Other interests that they share are travel, skiing, movies and meeting new people. 

As a side-hustle, donny does Uber Rideshare to generate income.  Donny enjoys bushwalking. During covid lockdown they would spend much time visiting places around the Blue mountains.  

Donny loves going out to dinner, visiting new places, and talking to friends about Jesus - and revival!

Donny, tell us about your time with IPC? In 2015, I was nominated by Warwick Marsh and Brian Pickering as the IPC Council representative for Australia.  In 2017, I went to Herrnhut to be a part of an IPC International Gathering with Prayer and Mission Leaders. One of the highlights was being able to lead a session with Leslie Keegel and Sam Hoffman.  I had read so much about the Moravians and Noel Bell had shared so much about Jesus Haus.  

I have gained and learnt so much through my time in IPC. The 2 Highlights being that time in Herrnhut, Germany and then the retreat in Bellingham in early 2020 which was during one of the most difficult times of my life.

What motivates you when you serve the prayer and missions movement?

‘When you are called by God’ - that is my motivation, because I have been called, and I know that God uses united prayer to fulfil the Great Commission, to revive the church and to see transformation.  It is through the convergence of prayer and mission that Jesus is glorified and His prayer is answered! 

What are some of the Pitfalls?

When you serve Jesus in this call, there comes a cost.  Pitfalls are that you can have interested people come to prayer meetings and come with other motives than that of the Lord. There are pitfalls you can face in your own life if you don't remain in humility.

Once pride enters the heart and human ambition comes above being led by the Holy Spirit, you will find that you end up in a dead end.

Lessons that I have learnt … God doesn't answer selfish prayers.  This sort of ministry attracts the most interesting kinds of people.  You really need to have embraced the Cross to be successful in bringing the body of Christ together.

People fall into error when selfish ambition gets in the way of seeing God move.  I have learnt from making such mistakes.

Never put ministry before family, as it's your children who end up suffering the most.  Teach your children all that you know.

What is your favourite Bible Verse?

Jeremiah 23:29   ‘Is not my word like fire says the lord but a hammer that smashes the rock.’

This is the word God spoke to me on the day that Generation Fire was birthed. The word burned in my heart. It still burns today! The Word of God when prayed and spoken and sung is Fire.  The Fire of God comes from our mouths, and it burns in our hearts.   Because the Word of God is Fire.  

I have seen the Fire of God touch people through prayer, worship and preaching.  The Fire of God is what brings people together.   And It is the Fire of God we are called to carry.

Tell us about your involvement with the vision of World Prayer Assembly, Australia?

What an opportunity to serve Jesus at this time, to be able to meet with significant leaders across the nation and to see national prayer leaders unite! To witness such unity across Australia has been unseen and heard of.  

My role in my IPC has really kicked in when I have come and acted in an advisory role, helping to connect leaders and to be able to offer the resources of IPC to Australian prayer movement leaders. 

A Highlight for me has been to host Dean Briggs, to work closely with James Condon and taking part in strategic meetings.

‘The Wave of Glory is coming!   I hope that everyone involved with IPC will pray about coming in October!’