John Gray Biography

Gifted with the ability to seemingly flow effortlessly from one mantle to another, John Gray is the very definition of a Renaissance man. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the product of two musically gifted parents, John began exploring his talents while being involved in his church. Directing the choir and singing at his church from the age of seven years old, Gray showed early on that he had a God-given gift to understand and translate musical movements. This gift would serve him well in the years to come. Throughout High School and college, John continued to expand on his creative gifts by competing in everything from Shakespearean competitions to local talent shows. Upon arrival at The College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, John showed another level of versatility by taking a leading role in a critically acclaimed production of ‘The Boys Next Door’. Gray eventually transitioned to the University of Cincinnati and became a part of the African- American Cultural and Research Center Choir where he toured the country furthering his singing and acting career. It was during this season of transition that Gray began another level of personal spiritual growth and elevation by accepting the calling into the preaching ministry at the Bethel Baptist Church at the age of twenty-one years old. It was after this that God took the boy John Gray and began to mold the man. Not long after accepting the call to ministry, John received another call in the Fall of 1995-this time to be a cast member in the hit gospel stage play “He Say, She Say, But What Does God Say?” starring a then up and coming artist named Kirk Franklin. This began a relationship that would include becoming a member of Kirk Franklin and The Family and opening for such gospel luminaries as Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams.

After touring the world for three years, Gray felt the call of God to another aspect of ministry, this time as a Youth Pastor at the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, New Jersey. Gray also served as Coordinator of Youth Ministries at The Cathedral International Church in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. John’s heart has always been turned towards the development of young people, so it is no wonder that God has seen fit to send John all over the world to speak and encourage kids to live for Christ and to fulfill their purpose through service to others. Touring with Grammy-Award winners dc talk, Gray promoted racial reconciliation across the country in an effort to destroy the barriers that exist between black and white Christians.

In 2001 God allowed John to begin working on his own vision, MannaGod Enterprises, Inc. MannaGod was originally established to empower men to become better husbands and fathers and serve as an online resource for young men to stay connected. It quickly turned into much more, encompassing a national following of men and women that has been blessed by John’s weekly writings called Daily Manna. Spanning a range of styles from country to soul to pop to gospel, John’s music cannot be contained in one genre. One word, however, does encompass the totality of his music – anointed. At the same time of the release of the records, John began touring the country with his own Stage Play, “MannaGod-The Journey”, a musical story of his life through the eyes of his spirit and his flesh.

In 2004 John released two CD’s on the same day through his own record label, MannaGod Records. Journey and Covenant, two powerful records, have taken John’s fans and newcomers alike on a sonic journey unlike any other. Not satisfied with only stage plays, John put his hand to film making with great success when, in 2008, he entered “The Doorpost Film Project” short film competition. After rounds of cuts and nearly eight months of work, John’s name was called as the inaugural grand prize winner of the competition, taking home $100,000.00. Up next is the full length feature “Unconditional”, in which John is a co- producer. The film will be in theaters at the end of this year or early 2012.

Today, John’s work has growing into John Gray Innertainment as he continues to preach and speak to youth and young adults across the country as Emcee, comedian, speaker and worship leader for Teen Mania Ministries “Acquire The Fire”. Reaching thousands of children each weekend, John is committed to seeing that young people encounter God in a real way, utilizing whatever gift is necessary at the moment. John is also an ordained Elder at Northview Christian Church in Dothan, Alabama where he currently serves as the leader of the young adult ministry.

On December 11, 2010 he married the love of his life, the former Aventer Monique Cotton. In April of 2012 they were blessed to welcome John W. Gray IV into the world.

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