The Called Higher Story

Donathan Williams is the founder and director of Called Higher. He has been involved in full-time ministry since 1996. After serving for four years as a worship leader and youth leader at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, he and his wife Kimberly moved to Florida in 2000 to assist with the ministry at Calvary Vero Beach. On December 31, 2010, during a prayer meeting, Donathan received a word from the Lord indicating a shift in their ministry direction.

A year later, this change was confirmed by a new vision of youth discipleship in the marine environment, specifically through sailing. However, rather than leading them to the coastline to start a sailing ministry immediately, God directed Donathan and Kimberly to the mountains of Northwest Montana for a year-long season of learning and waiting as they assisted a discipleship ministry. Upon returning to Vero Beach, the path ahead was uncertain—if this new calling was truly from God, it required stepping out in faith.

Working alongside Pastor Jim Gallagher, Donathan and Kimberly developed a pilot program in 2012 that lasted one month, bringing together a group of college-age young adults for Bible studies during the week and sailing on the weekends. This marked the beginning of what is now Called Higher Sailing. Over the years, the program has evolved, incorporating the Called Higher Worship Band and Choir, and has become a platform through which the Lord has ministered to and encouraged young adults and teenagers in Vero Beach, Florida.

Since 2012, Donathan has been a Certified Sailing Instructor through the U.S. Sailing Foundation and has been passionately teaching the fundamentals of sailing combined with faith-based mentorship. Called Higher provides sailing/discipleship classes for youth and young adults, ranging in age from 8 years old through young adult.

Classes are held weekly during the fall and spring semesters on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Participants gather at our classroom located in Vero Beach, Florida, and sail on 25-foot sailboats in the Indian River Lagoon. In addition to weekly sessions, the program offers overnight sailing trips and extended destination voyages for those seeking further discipleship and sailing experiences.