From singing in small churches as a pastor's son to ministering on stages large and small, Jonathan White's life and music have been shaped by family, faith, heartbreak, restoration, and a desire to point people toward Jesus Christ.
Jonathan White found a deep love for singing at an early age. He has been singing for as long as he can remember. His mother and father would stand him at the front of the church to sing with his brothers and sister. Jonathan's father was both a pastor and an evangelist, and the family often ministered together—the children and parents singing before his father would preach.
Those early years planted a deep heart for ministry in Jonathan. Although the seeds were there from childhood, he never initially set out to pursue a professional career in music.
Jonathan married Sheila in 1991. Only eight months into their marriage, tragedy changed their lives forever. A drunk driver ran a red light and struck his parents' car. Jonathan's father died instantly, and his mother survived for sixteen days before going home to Heaven.
Jonathan and Sheila, still newlyweds themselves, suddenly became caregivers for his ten-year-old sister and sixteen-year-old brother. During that season they learned in a very personal way what it means to trust God, depend on His grace, and look for the "silver lining" even in circumstances they never would have chosen.
Read Jonathan's TestimonyThrough the years, Jonathan and Sheila have learned that some of the circumstances that initially seem the most difficult can become some of life's greatest blessings.
The year following the accident, Jonathan and Sheila learned they were expecting their first child. After Brittany's birth, they were told that she had Down syndrome. Jonathan initially struggled with anger, disappointment, and confusion, but God would show their family that He had given them something far greater than "second best."
Brittany grew into a beautiful young lady. She participated in dance and played Challenger Baseball for twenty years. Jonathan has written a song about her, and their family's experience has allowed them to encourage others raising children with disabilities.
A few years later, Jonathan and Sheila were blessed with their son, Austin. From the time he was little, Austin looked out for Brittany and affectionately considered himself her "big little brother."
Austin played baseball, football, and basketball at GlenOak High School before playing baseball at Malone University, where the team won the GMAC regular-season championship in 2019.
Austin married his sweetheart, Alana Woodard, in June 2020. They now have three children: Zane Michael White, Sawyer Rose White, and their youngest, Oakley Mae White—making Jonathan and Sheila very proud grandparents.
Jonathan has had the opportunity to sing for many different kinds of audiences—from the Grand Ole Opry and the Bill Gaither Homecoming Concert Series to the little church down the street.
He sings a wide variety of styles, including hymns, Southern Gospel, contemporary Christian music, opera, and country. Whatever the musical style or venue, his purpose remains the same: to lift his voice for Jesus Christ.
Jonathan has learned that ministry is not about the number of people in a room. It is about ministering to each individual who has come to the concert.
"Some of the things we think are burdens may turn out to be the greatest blessing we ever receive."
"My greatest desire is to please God, reach people for Him, and encourage Christians to keep on."
— Jonathan WhiteFrom singing in small churches as a pastor's son to ministering on stages large and small, Jonathan White's life and music have been shaped by family, faith, heartbreak, restoration, and a desire to point people toward Jesus Christ.
Jonathan White found a deep love for singing at an early age. He has been singing for as long as he can remember. His mother and father would stand him at the front of the church to sing with his brothers and sister.
Jonathan's father was both a pastor and an evangelist, and the family often ministered together — the children and parents singing before his father would preach.
Those early years planted a deep heart for ministry in Jonathan. Although the seeds were there from childhood, he never initially set out to pursue a professional career in music.
Jonathan married Sheila in 1991. Only eight months into their marriage, tragedy changed their lives forever. A drunk driver ran a red light and struck his parents' car. Jonathan's father died instantly, and his mother survived for sixteen days before going home to Heaven.
Jonathan and Sheila, still newlyweds themselves, suddenly became caregivers for his ten-year-old sister and sixteen-year-old brother.
During that season they learned in a very personal way what it means to trust God, depend on His grace, and look for the "silver lining" even in circumstances they never would have chosen.
Read Jonathan's TestimonyThrough the years, Jonathan and Sheila have learned that some of the circumstances that initially seem the most difficult can become some of life's greatest blessings.
The year following the accident, Jonathan and Sheila learned they were expecting their first child. After Brittany's birth, they were told that she had Down syndrome.
Jonathan initially struggled with anger, disappointment and confusion, but God would show their family that He had given them something far greater than "second best."
Brittany grew into a beautiful young lady. She participated in dance and played Challenger Baseball for twenty years. Jonathan has written a song about her, and their family's experience has allowed them to encourage others raising children with disabilities.
A few years later, Jonathan and Sheila were blessed with their son, Austin. From the time he was little, Austin looked out for Brittany and affectionately considered himself her "big little brother."
Austin played baseball, football and basketball at GlenOak High School before playing baseball at Malone University, where the team won the GMAC regular-season championship in 2019.
Austin married his sweetheart, Alana Woodard, in June 2020.
They now have three children: Zane Michael White, Sawyer Rose White, and their youngest, Oakley Mae White — making Jonathan and Sheila very proud grandparents.
Jonathan has had the opportunity to sing for many different kinds of audiences — from the Grand Ole Opry and the Bill Gaither Homecoming Concert Series to the little church down the street.
He sings a wide variety of styles, including hymns, Southern Gospel, contemporary Christian music, opera and country.
Whatever the musical style or venue, his purpose remains the same: to lift his voice for Jesus Christ.
Jonathan has learned that ministry is not about the number of people in a room. It is about ministering to each individual who has come to the concert.
"Some of the things we think are burdens may turn out to be the greatest blessing we ever receive."
"My greatest desire is to please God, reach people for Him, and encourage Christians to keep on."
— Jonathan White