Bishop Donny L. McKnight was born to Kenneth and Willie Mae McKnight January 3, 1958 in Crockett, TX.  The family moved to the Oklahoma City area in 1963, where he attended Woodson Elementary, North Highland Elementary, Eisenhower Middle School, Harding Middle School, graduating from Northeast High school in 1976.

Bishop McKnight met the love of his life Homaletta Whatley McKnight, at a Juneteenth Celebration; they now have been married for 37 years.  They have 3 daughters Samara (Patrick), Stephanie, and Selena (Courtney).  Bishop has 7 grandchildren, Samiyah, Payton, Sydney, Shazdon, Courtney, Samaria, and his namesake, Dhani.

Bishop McKnight was an Usher for one year after which he was called into the ministry vineyard and was ordained an Elder in 1986 under the direction of Bishop F.E. Patton.  He attended The Church of the Living God, PGofT Oklahoma City, OK #3 until he accepted the pastoral in Okmulgee, Oklahoma in 1990.  He served as the pastor until he accepted pastoral in October, 1994  at The Church of the Living God, The Mother Church, 625 North Kelham, OKC, OK 73117 where he is still serving as Senior Pastor.

Bishop McKnight was appointed to the office of Overseer in 1992, and was consecrated to Bishop in 2012.  He currently serves as Presiding President of The Church of the Living God, PGofT Diocese 1 of Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.  Over the years he has accumulated over 150 college education hours when he attended United Bible College and Seminary, American Bible College and Seminary and Ledbetter Bible College and Seminary.    He is the founder of The Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth, of Muskogee, Oklahoma continuing education Bible College that will be available on-line in the near future. 

Bishop McKnight has volunteer many hours to families in need of guidance in all areas of life, including families affected in the Alfred P. Murrah bombing in 1995.   He has been instrumental in the great changes within the local, district, diocese and National church.