Don and Caron Ward both met the Lord Jesus Christ in high school. They met each other at James Madison University through Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. After their marriage in 1983, Caron followed Don to Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson Mississippi. They have two adult children, Emily (married to Drew Massengill), and Anna. They live in Charlottesville, Virginia

Don completed the Doctor of Ministries degree in 2003 from Reformed Theological Seminary of Orlando. His dissertation was entitled Grace Centered Discipleship in the Local Church.

Don was assistant pastor at Midway Presbyterian Church from 1985-88. Don and Caron moved to Centerville Ohio in June 1988 to plant South Dayton Presbyterian Church. After nine years in Ohio, the Wards moved back to Don’s home state of Virginia to plant Grace Community Church in Charlottesville. The church was their home for over 21 years.

The Wards’ long interest in the cause of Christ in the world took an important turn in 2017 when Don was an instructor with ELI Director Chuck McArthur in Malawi, Africa. In 2018 Don returned as the trip leader and brought Caron along with him. The Lord moved powerfully after their return to lead Don to leave their longtime church home to become the ELI Project Director in Malawi. They are looking forward to helping the church in Malawi bring effective training to village pastors.