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Something good is coming my way.

Donnel Neal serves as the deacon at Elon First Baptist Church, living a life dedicated to his faith. Through every hardship—including the loss of both his father and mother—he has found strength in God, crediting God for shaping him into the man he is today.

Raised in Alamance County, Neal fondly remembers the close-knit nature of his community, where neighbors looked after one another and no one went hungry. It was through this community that he met James Brown, who once told him, “I don’t want nobody to give me nothing. Open up the door, I’ll get it myself.” These words left a lasting impact on Neal, �þ��� him the importance of self-reliance and perseverance. They showed him that, despite its hardships, life is always worth living.

Neal’s devotion to his faith and community led him to become a deacon, a role in which he mentors and serves others. His deep care for his family, his church, and the places that have shaped him continues to guide his actions. For Neal, caring for places has always meant caring for people, and he carries that belief into everything he does.