Minister. Actor. Comedian. Playwright. Author. Singer. Any one of these titles would be enough to fill a life’s worth of work. But for John Gray these titles are one and the same. 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.
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. 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”. The play encompasses the life and struggles of John from childhood to present day through the eyes of the spirit of the man as well as the flesh. Through song, comedy, drama and dance, Gray captivates the crowd and never lets them go. John played to a near-capacity crowd at the Atlanta Civic Center in April of 2006 and has not looked back, now calling Atlanta home. The play has changed lives everywhere it has been presented and is primed and ready for a national tour.
Hi Mr. Gray, just wanted to say ur bio is quite extraordinary. I also wanted to thank you and God through u for how u ministered to us last week-end at the Kevin Mickie Ministries Shift conference. What an unbelievable experience that was and I expect to never be the same again. God continue to bless you and use u.
i saw u on JCTV yesterday singing some of your songs and ministering. very powerful nd annointing! i was emailing u nd to rave nd let u knw tht song :walk on water” straight dope! the lyrics are so intimate nd faitful. may the lord continue to bless u thru christ jesus for the glorification of him nd his son.
As it is written in Scripture, all things done secretively in the dark shall be exposed to the light. God is no respect of person nor does he continue to allow those who are disobedience to His will His grace and mercy. In Jeremiah 15, the scripture speaks of God’s tiredness of His people continuing to operate in disobedience and sin and how His wrath will come upon them to the point of death. I pray the will of our Father be upon all men and women who proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and that they incline their ear to His voice to do His will and not the will or desire of their flesh. Be careful of the seeds you sow/plant fore in due season those seeds shall reap a harvest whether a good one or a bad one. May God perfect Himself in you and may you be submitted totally to Him. Not your will but God’s will be done.
praise the lord
Brother John
Thanks for your message tonight on TBN. I wish I could get a copy of it somehow.
“The Trees” are exactly what I’m dealing with.
Brother In Christ Jesus
I saw on TBN on 11/30/10, you were on fire in the holy spirit. God used you to send me a message. The theme of your message was “The tree people”, may the lord bless you as you enter into the the convent of marriage.
Hi,
I watched you just a couple of minutes back on TBN, yes bro I can see the move of God in a new dimension. The anointing was awesome and I am sure it served as a propeller for many young Christians all over the world who have not be been able to make a definite decision on who to serve.
My only prayer is may His Grace be upon you and His oil never goes dry on your head.
God bless,
Evang. Jesse Fredson Ig
Lagos, Nigeria
I emailed everybody on TBN tonight,
email me yout email if you want to see
the 7 Bible Subjects they got.
Evangelist Robert Kress
Brother,
I would just like to thank you for blessing me. However, I am sorry I will not be able to attend the wedding, but I’m only guessing I would be missing about five minutes worth anyway. Continue to walk in the grace and will of God, and you will continue to bless young men like myself.
With Love,
Evan
Dear Mr. John Gray,
Lol
My name is Gabby, 16. I saw you at an Aquire The Fire event, that I attended, in Phoenix, Ariz. on the weekend of December 3rd and 4th of 2010. I thought you were/are really cool! I’m so glad that I bought your DVD, Laughter In Black & White. Not only were/are you funny but you’re a really big blessing. Especially, I LOVE your opinion on ‘courtship’. I’ve never had a boyfriend and so I’ve never dated. I recently promised myself that I would never date and would ONLY court, until I got of age. You help me alot in that issue, because sometimes I feel down when I see my girl friends with boyfriends, and I sometimes wish I had that. Also, I wanted to let you know, my family and I spent the first hour of 2011 watching your video. Thanks again for being a blessing in my life.
Your Truly, Gabby<3
Ps. I doubt you remember, but I hugged you at ATF.
Saw you at Trinity Church in Miami, Florida on Tuesday Januray 25, 2011. You was great. That was a very powerful message. Thank you very much and any time you come to Miami to speak I will be there.
The Holy Spirit used you mightly on January 29th in Richmond, Virginia at the AtF \Collision\ weekend! Several of our teens connected with God’s spirit when you spoke. I have not laughed so hard in many years! It was so cool to be able to give you a hug when you called me to the stage for my \800 ticket miracle\ testimony. I hope our paths cross again before we meet in Heaven.
A big thank you for letting God use you in San Antonio. As a Youth Volunteer I have to tell you that the kids are still talking about all the things you said! My son-in-law ask who you were because his 15 yr old is praying for you every night. The thing is I know you fired up the kids but in the sessions with the leaders you fired us up even more! God Bless You, Lora
Dear mr. Gray
I just wanted to say that i love u and i love acquire the fire in greensboro this past weekend. it was my favorite atf that i have ever attended before. i also wanted to say please pray for me as i let god sandblast me like mike said in his message on saturday night. also i was wondering if u have a facebook look me up and add me as a friend. c u next year or before if it is gods will. your friend bradley. and prasie god for the bigg man six pack or as u called it the keg. hahahahaha. peace out
John Gray: Blessings on you man. I have been fortunate to laugh with you for the last few years and not enough. Jan 2011 I was gifted with my personal computer, so now I can visit the website. One of my best friends has been raving about how you are working with her pastor in Al and it is a blessing to hear your testimony about getting married – I heard today on the Yolanda Adams that it has been 107 days. I pray that same anointing come upon my three sons and my daughter as well. There is no respecter of persons with God. We will keep praying for you, your wife and ministry – God has great things in store for you oh anointed man of God. Amen.
I got the opportunity to be in your company at 103.9 single/saved/satisfied seminar a few days ago. As a 32 year old single mom, you really gave me ALOT to think about what I was doing WRONG and how to make it right. Thank you so much for such a blessed day and may god bless you always
Carol
John Gray: Blessings on you man. I have been fortunate to laugh with you at BATTLECRY IN NEW JERSEY saturday it was a true blessing thanks again jorge cintron
973-868-1764 also moves417 on twitter
love how u did ur thing @ ATF this weekend. TGBTG!!!
My name is JoAnn Gray and am from Cincinnati, Ohio I think we are cousins ;my cousin shawn reynolds told me about you. I think your dad name is George from cincinnati he’s my cousin. Please email me back if you know the mack family, reynolds family and gray family from cincinnati, Ohio
I loved hearing you speak at ATF 2011 in Lansing, MI! one of the greatest experience of my life! Ioved hearing all your jokes and i admired how open you were, and how you let your personality shine out on the stage as you spoke. I hope to see you perform again! hope to see you next year! God bless you and your wonderful gift you bring to everyone around the world.
Hey Mr.Gray
This is Tiffany from Spirit of Faith Gainesville Florida (whoo-oo) and I just want to thank you for coming down to our single conference and just given us an awesome message. You are probably the funniest comedian I ever heard…not even the Kings of Comedy can touch. And everything you said really just inspired to enjoy my singlehood and to build a bigger and better relationship with Christ. And I’m taking that “Cake” message and telling all my friends about that one because that was an eye-opener for me. Love you Awesome Man of God, and PLEASE COME BACK AGAIN!!!
THANK YOU!! So much for visting us at the Hope&Life conference at Lakewood Church!!
YOU WERE AWESOME!!! May the Lord bless you frbeing a blessing.
– http://www.livingbeyondphotography.com
Thanks for the wonderful and unforgettable visit to Faith Centre in San Fernando Trinidad & Tobago.
The memorable sermons, the singing and comedy, brother this can only be the Holy Spirit working through you to touch lives.
We at Faith Centre and by extension Trinidad & Tobago could hardly wait for “your return” and having now experience what God is doing through you the next time there will not even be standing room in the santuary.
Hey Mr. Gray,
I wanted to thank you for all you’ve been doin’. My youth group at the Blackwell Tabernacle saw you last year in Tulsa, Ok. I unfortunately was not able to go. But this year I will. When my youth group got back from ATF they were very different. It’s like they brought a piece of God with them. They were ready to do what ever God said to do . They were ready to abate. It was amazing and their willingness brought me to the Lord. So thank you, you had a big part in what they bought home.