Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Richardson.
Hi Jonathan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I’ve known my entire life I was called to serve God. At the age of 18, I felt strongly that God wanted me to do something, but I wasn’t sure what it was. After some conversations with close friends and family, I prayed for God to reveal what he wanted me to do. On July 18, 2001, I had a divine encounter where I was told to “GO AND PREACH THE WORD.” Since then, my purpose has been sealed. After graduating from Morehouse College and Emory University, I served at various churches and worked in finance and nonprofit development.
During this time, I was asked to interview to be the Pastor of a few churches in the state. Each time, I was not selected. Although it was heartbreaking, I now see that my calling was to be a church planter. I’ve always been a self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit. In 2014, I formed what is now the LEAD Church of Atlanta. My family and I have faithfully served this church for almost a decade.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting a church has been a joy and true labor of love. We started our church in the ballroom of the Doubletree Hotel near the Braves stadium. We really cut our teeth there. For two years, we would bring equipment to set up for a full worship experience. We only had a few volunteers at that time. I recall I would wake up at 6 AM each Sunday morning. I would load my car with some of the instruments and sound equipment for our worship service.
I would arrive at the hotel around 9 AM, and with the help of a couple of volunteers, we would put out chairs and signage and set up an entire worship service that began at 11 AM. After preaching, prophesying, and praying for those in attendance, we would take all the equipment down and put it back in my car to go in my attic until the next Sunday.
Around 2017, It became overwhelming to work a full-time job in finance and focus on the church. After much prayer I left my full-time job, but little did I know the faith journey was just beginning. The water was turned off in my home. My house was in foreclosure. Our car broke down. We were forced to move in with my wife’s family. I am eternally grateful for them. We lived with them for two and a half years while we continued to serve the church and relocated our services to a local school. I did some freelance work during this time, drove with Uber, and did some part-time work in the nonprofit sector, but financially, life was difficult.
In 2019, I decided to pray and fast for God to open a door for my family. At that time, we were still living with my wife’s family. We had two children (at the time), and we were sharing a car, but I just knew this was the year God would change things for us. I prayed that God would open a door for us to get our own place again, an additional car for my wife, and a new space for the church to worship and grow.
By January 2020, God answered all those prayers. I was grateful for a new season. Then… the pandemic hit the next month. It was like starting all over with the church. Most people attending our church were no longer coming. We met with a dozen people in attendance and hosted a virtual service, as many churches did during this time. It was not easy, but when you know you are called to something, God gives you grace.
We did this for two years. Eventually, the pandemic lifted, and God began to send a new group of people to our church. We were growing in our new location and at the beginning of our new phase of ministry. The commitment and sacrifice level during these years were no easy task, but I wouldn’t change the journey.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In addition to our church and ministry, I host a yearly conference called The LEAD Conference. Over the past five years of its existence, we’ve hosted individuals from over 25 states that travel to Atlanta each fall to grow in ministry, leadership, and spiritual gifts.
I am also a doctoral student. I will receive a Doctor of Ministry from Emory University in Church Leadership. My focus is how the Charismatic Church engages Post-Modern Culture. I have a desire to reach Generation Z and beyond. I believe the church must focus more on the needs of this group and help them understand the importance of their faith.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
I’m always interested in making relationships with new people. During the pandemic, many people came to me for advice on topics, from how to start a business to how to grow spiritually. After much prayer, I began a coaching program and a variety of virtual opportunities to receive insight on growth in leadership, ministry, and spiritual gifts. I offer virtual classes on each of these topics as well as coaching on my website.
As far as LEAD Church ATL, we welcome you! You can follow our Instagram pages @drjrichardson and @leadchurchatl for service times and to get connected.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jonathanrichardson.org
- Instagram: @drjrichardson
- Facebook: Pastor J. Richardson Ministries
- Twitter: @drjrichardson
- Youtube: Pastor J. Richardson Ministreis
