Dr. Jonathan D. Gannon Installed as SAGU AIC\’s 11th President

Phoenix, Arizona

On Thursday September 16, 2021, SAGU American Indian College formally installed its eleventh President, Dr. Jonathan D. Gannon. The inauguration was attended by students, staff, faculty, AIC Foundation Board members, and administrators from both SAGU and SAGU AIC.  Family members and close friends of Dr. Gannon were also present at this occasion. 

The inaugural service opened with a special academic procession featuring Pastor Jeff May, Worship Pastor of the Scottsdale Dream City Church singing “The Prayer.” Dr. Joseph Saggio gave the invocation and Rev. Micheal Dickinson welcomed and introduced the visitors. Dr. Paul Brooks illustrated the history of and the meaning of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral academic regalia. 

SAGU President, Dr. Kermit Bridges, introduced Dr. Jonathan Gannon, sharing his background, experience, and education. Dr. Gannon served most recently as the pastor of Life Spring Church in El Mirage, AZ from 2012-2021. He also served as the Director of Global Outreach at Jewish Voice Ministries International in Phoenix, AZ. His additional ministry experiences include Lead Pastor and Church Planter at Bethel Church of Liberty A/G in Liberty, MO, and Singles and Young Adult Pastor at Northland Cathedral A/G in Kansas City, MO. 

Dr. Gannon holds both a Doctor of Ministry in Missional Leadership and a Master of Divinity from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. He holds a Bachelors of Arts in Missions Studies and Biblical Languages from Evangel University. His additional studies include Cross-Cultural Ministries and Biblical Languages from North Central Bible College and Israel College of the Bible.  

Dr. Gannon grew up in a missionary household, and was raised in Jerusalem, Israel. He has been privileged to do work and ministry in Israel, Greece, Egypt, Cyprus, India, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Argentina, Uruguay, and Mexico.

Dr. Gannon has been married to Rev. Monica Gannon for 24 years. Monica is also an ordained Assemblies of God minister. In May 2021, she graduated from SAGU with an undergraduate degree and is currently pursuing a graduate degree through SAGU. Together they have six children: Anastasia Victoria, Jonathan II David, Josiah Benjamin, Anneliese Victoria, Angelina Gabrielle, and Arianna Mirabelle.

President Bridges administered Dr. Gannon’s oath of office and formally installed him as the 11th President of SAGU American Indian College. President Gannon received a medal indicating his Presidency. President Emeritus, Dr. David Moore prayed a blessing over President Gannon and his wife, Monica. As “first lady,” Monica received a bouquet of flowers from Dr. Rea Goklish and Ms. Shirleen Rivers. 

President Gannon’s inaugural address was titled “Awakened for a Dream.” He chronicled the stories of Jacob and Joseph — “Father and son. Two dreamers. One promise. Same destination.” In this same way, President Gannon illustrated that every President of SAGU American Indian College has shared the same dream as Alta Washburn, a dream that has passed from generation to generation. 

“This is a very special moment for me,” said President Gannon. “But this is so much less about me and so much more about what God wants for this campus. He has a dream. It’s a dream that started with our founder, Alta Washburn. And it’s a dream that I now will embody with all my gifts, energy, and passion.”

In conclusion, President Gannon thanked the most important person in his life: “The God of my grandfather. The God of my father. And he’s my God too. The one who has never left me, never given up on me, never stopped believing in the story he’s writing in my life… the God who turns every setback into a setup.” 

Superintendent Rev. Stephen Harris shared his closing remarks and Rev. Joel Cornelius closed the ceremony with a benediction prayer. The ceremony ended on a joyous note.

SAGU American Indian College warmly welcomes President, Dr. Jonathan Gannon; his wife Rev. Monica Gannon; and their six children: Anastasia Victoria, Jonathan II David, Josiah Benjamin, Anneliese Victoria, Angelina Gabrielle, and Arianna Mirabelle into the SAGU AIC family.

The college also expresses special thanks to AIC’s Foundation Board and to SAGU Cabinet Officers who attended, including President, Dr. Kermit S. Bridges; Vice President for Academics, Dr. M. Paul Brooks; and Vice President for Student Development, Rev. Terry Phipps for attending this event and making this a memorable moment in the history of SAGU American Indian College.

Alta Washburn established American Indian Bible Institute in 1957. Now SAGU American Indian College, the campus is the nation’s only private accredited Christian college serving primarily Native American students. SAGU AIC now serves nearly 25 tribes as well as other ethnicities. 

Pictured: SAGU AIC President, Dr. Jonathan Gannon; President Emeritus, Dr. David Moore; and SAGU President, Dr. Kermit Bridges.


Pictured: SAGU AIC President, Dr. Jonathan Gannon, receives medal signifying his Presidency.


Pictured: The Gannons are covered in prayer.