"I am nothing without His mercy and grace. It's only by His strength that I can do any of the things He has asked me to do. Everything you see and hear, it's not mine, it's His."

From the beginning Jonathan knew about God. Jonathan was raised in a home that taught about God and His love. It was at this early stage in Jonathan's life, at the age of 7, that he gave his heart over to Jesus Christ. God had placed a love of music into Jonathan already back then. Singing was a bonding agent for his family. Often times he and his siblings would harmonize while singing hymns together. Some of Jonathan's fondest memories of his family were created during that time.

A series of events led Jonathan and his family to spend much of his childhood moving around, at times living in shelters, and going through a series of schools in the process. Despite what most people would describe as hard times, Jonathan's memories of those times were filled with fondness. In the middle of his teenage years his family moved from Wisconsin to Tennessee. There he was moved to learn to play the guitar to accompany his singing. This opened the door for a whole new level of creativity. Jonathan began writing songs.

It was at this time that Jonathan's reality was shaken. His parents divorced. Jonathan was left confused and not knowing what reality was. Up until this time he knew God but hadn't really shared a close relationship with Him. Jonathan found comfort in expressing his pain through song during this time.

Jonathan moved away from the rest of the family and tried to seek solace in the world. For a while he thought he had it all. Relationships, money, recognition and encouragement from others about his music, it all drew him further and further out.

Then one night, while sitting on a rooftop in California Jonathan cried out to God. His soul ached. The world could no longer fill that space only intended for God's love. He knew he could no longer live his life that way.

He moved back to Tennessee, and at the age of 21 gave his life back to Jesus. He developed a strong dependence on God and His Word to direct his path. And learned the most valuable relationship to have was one with Him.

Through many trials and experiences, Jonathan had discovered what he really desired was to use his gift without compromise to build God's Kingdom. Jonathan heard the call of God. And, after a series of confirmations and increasing wisdom through getting deeper in the Word Jonathan began putting all he had into making God's music. It was then that God revealed a deeper vision for Jonathan. The music God gave him was meant to heal others.

In 2003, Jonathan met Elke. They discovered that their passions and mission followed the same path, and as time progressed, their friendship developed into love. They married in March of 2006 and have since been working together to give God's music to others. They currently both play with the Gateway of Hope Christian Center praise team.

In May of 2007 Jonathan graduated from a 3yr ministry school. An accomplishment that could only have come about by God's wisdom and grace operating in Jonathan's life. "If you only knew how much I despised school and reading you would know how big of an accomplishment this was for me," Jonathan says with a laugh.

And now, Jonathan is moving forward into the next phase of the journey God has mapped out for him. In December of 2007 Jonathan released his debut album titled, "J". The album was almost ten years in the making. "I had so many battles with this album. Then God showed me one day that it was like a birthing process. The struggles I had in putting the album together were the labor pains. But, once the album was finished (birthed) I could really see how God had His hand in the whole situation. The whole album was like a story that only God could tell, and He gave me the honor of narrating it," Jonathan says. It was the things that God had allowed Jonathan to go through that developed him into the servant he is now. Utterly humbled with a full desire to minister to His people. Jonathan is currently on the JOHN 3:30 tour, sharing songs and testimonies from the album. "We are here for a brief season, every second is numbered. I plan on using the time given to me wisely and wholeheartedly for the One I love the most. I've wasted enough of His precious time."

If you are interested in booking Jonathan Aaron Porter for a concert, worship service, or speaking event please send an email to:

jaaronp@aol.com


Download Jonathan Aaron Porter's music at DigStation.com