About Us

Pastors Erny's and Joan'e Bio Information Revs. Erny and Joane McDonough are pastors of FISHERMAN’S CHAPEL OF PORT O’CONNOR, TX.   Port O'Connor, "the place where all roads begin" is a small fishing community located just 2-3 hours from Houston, San Antonio, and Austin.  The community is noted as a calm place, full of peaceful serenity from the chaotic fast pace world we live. Pastors Erny and Joane have resided in Port O’Connor going on sixteen (16) years. Being active in the the local community is part of the charm of small town living, which has reflected in this couple's ministries.  Brother Erny, born in California and raised in Oklahoma, was called to preach at the age of 14. Through much diligence and hard study, he received credentials with the Oklahoma District while a Junior In High School. Educated at Oral Roberts University (as a member of the first class) and at Southwestern University, Brother Erny has been listed among "Who's Who in America" as a High School Student, University Student, and as a Pastor. He has been very active in civic affairs, as a director for Chamber of commerce's, organizing and leading three county United Way Campaigns, and as a Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary International. He received national attention by setting up Sunday Schools in Nursing Homes. Erny has served as a Senior Pastor in Missouri and Arizona before coming to Texas in 1986. He has ministered in at least eleven (11) states and three (3) foreign countries. Pastor Erny was called by a group of six (6) people to come from a year's sabbatical as a mortgage banker in Houston, to Port O'Connor to help birth a community church almost sixteen (16) years ago.  Beginning in a a 35' X 35" metal building, it was only a short year that Fisherman's Chapel purchased the Intercoastal Lumber Company, where they converted the building and grounds into the Chapel.  In fact, Pastors Erny and Joane were honored with their wedding being the first wedding held in their newly revamped building. Eight (8) years ago, the congregation were blessed to build the parsonage, which sits next to the Chapel. They are presently reclaiming a storage shed and making it a Retreat Center. Pastor Joane, a bi-vocational Pastor works as a Counselor for Bay Reflection, a subsidiary for Reclamation Counseling Center in Victoria, TX.  With 15 years of pastoral counseling experience, Pastor Joane wanted specialization to help those with life controlling issues. She now concentrates on addiction counseling for women, individual play therapy for children, and educating life skills. She performs individual and group counseling, and organizes educational workshops.  Joane works with the juvenile court system doing seminars instructing parents and their children in anger management, parenting skills, child abuse, conflict management, and decision making. Sister Joane is working on her Licensed Professional Counselor licensure.  She received her Master’s Degree with honors in Professional Counseling at Liberty University and a Bachelor’s Degree at Southwestern Assemblies of God in Secondary Education, again with honors.  She has been recognized by Cambridge Who’s Who for demonstrating dedication, leadership, and excellence in her specialization.  She is the President of The Harbor Children’s Alliance and Victim Center; she belongs to the American Association of Christian Schools; and is a Certified Anger Resolution Therapist, as well as an instructor for those with Drug and Alcohol Addictions.   Sister Joane coordinates the youth programs, which includes children’s church and the weekly “Friday Night Youth,” where forty to fifty community children come to experience the love of Jesus. Her passion is teaching/preaching where she is diligent to minister to the youth through the Sunday School program, as well as, the Fisherman’s Bible Institute.  In the future, she hopes to continue her education in a doctoral program.  The McDonoughs, along with their four (4) wonderful children and nine (9) grandchildren are honored to be a part of what God is doing in Port O'Connor. Their plans are to be buried there in about 50 to 60 years!