Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Davis.
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?
My story began long before JAD Creative, education, or any of the work I do today. I was born and raised in Austin, Texas, by my mother, Chandra Davis, and my father, Jonathan Henderson, who instilled in me the importance of respect, integrity, faith, and representing myself and my family well. Those values have remained at the center of everything I do.
Growing up at Rising Star Baptist Church in Austin, I spent much of my childhood alongside my aunt, Anita, who served as the church pianist/Minister of Music. I was fascinated by the piano and would sit beside her whenever I had the chance, watching and learning. Recognizing my interest, she slowly began giving me opportunities to play during altar call while everyone’s eyes were closed and heads were bowed. It was her way of helping me overcome my nerves and build confidence. What started as a few simple notes eventually grew into assisting with the youth choir, leading the youth choir, and later serving alongside her with the senior choir.
Even as a child, I was always looking for creative ways to improve things. I began recording practice tracks for choir rehearsals, experimenting with audio production, and finding ways to incorporate technology into ministry. I eventually convinced the church to upgrade its sound system so I could record services directly from to laptop and explore new creative possibilities. Those early experiences sparked a passion for technology, media, and communications that would continue to grow throughout my life.
My musical journey extended beyond my home church as I became involved with several community choirs, including the Austin Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA), the St. John Regular Baptist Church Youth Choir, and the Ella Scott and Unity Mass Choir. Through these organizations, I had the opportunity to perform, record music, and learn from some of Austin’s most respected gospel musicians and leaders. Influential figures such as Lisa Alexander-Jenkins, Luke Mercer, George Powell, my late cousin Ruth Davis-Sauls, Edith McKinney, Jimmy Butler, and Adrian Reed, just to name a few… all helped shape my musical foundation and ministry. Their lessons continue to influence me to this day.
During this time, I was also blessed with opportunities that further fueled my passion for music and performance, including serving as a featured youth musician with Texas Mass Choir, having original music selected for ministry presentations, being inducted into the International Thespian Society, and being accepted into the American Model and Talent Convention (AMTC). These experiences helped build my confidence and reinforced the belief that creativity and communication would play a significant role in my future.
As I grew older, I had the privilege of serving as Youth Minister of Music at Mount Zion Baptist Church of Austin, which became a significant stepping stone in my development as a musician and leader before eventually returning home to Rising Star. During my time at Rising Star, I was able to fully embrace my creative side by redesigning the church website, creating logos and marketing materials, recording services, and launching initiatives that helped strengthen communication and engagement within the church. Many of those contributions remain part of the church today.
Later in life, I became intentional about surrounding myself with the people and environments that reflected where I wanted to grow. I began accepting more solo engagements, networking throughout Austin, and building relationships with musicians, creatives, educators, and community leaders. What started as a passion for music gradually expanded into photography, videography, graphic design, technology, communications, and storytelling.
As my network grew, so did the opportunities. The skills I developed in church ministry eventually opened doors far beyond the sanctuary. What began with recording choir rehearsals and creating church flyers evolved into a multifaceted creative career that now includes branding, media production, communications, photography, videography, and creative consulting through JAD Creative (2026). At the same time, my love for technology and helping others led me into education, where I have proudly served Del Valle ISD for the past eight years, supporting students, educators, and staff through instructional technology and digital learning.
That commitment to service and innovation has led to opportunities for recognition, including being named Staff of the Year, an honor that reflects my dedication to supporting others and making a positive impact within my school community.
Music continued to serve as the common thread throughout it all. Over the years, I have been blessed with opportunities to travel, perform, record, and collaborate with incredible artists and organizations. From serving as Minister of Music at Greater Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist Church to performing on stages such as Austin City Limits (ACL) and South by Southwest (SXSW), my journey has allowed me to experience music in ways I once only dreamed about as a child.
Along the way, I have shared stages and collaborated with a diverse range of artists and organizations, including Ronnie Dunn, BLK ODYSSY, Kelonté Gavin, The Levites, The Moriah Sisters, Texas Mass Choir, and numerous respected gospel and community music organizations throughout Texas and beyond.
Through collaborations with The Levites, The Moriah Sisters, Texas Mass Choir, and other respected artists and ministries, I have been able to contribute to projects that have reached audiences both locally and beyond. I was honored to be featured on “Someday” with The Levites and participate in the award-winning documentary Made for Each Other: A Musical Journey Through Grief, which received international recognition. I have also had the opportunity to record and release music with Greater Mount Moriah and continue developing original music under my artist name, D’noJ.
Beyond live performance, I have contributed to studio recordings as a vocalist, keyboardist, producer, arranger, and background vocalist. My face and voice has been featured in several commercial recordings and production resources, including the Chr0anic “Soulful Sonic” sample library, allowing my work to reach producers and audiences far beyond my own performances.
Today, I wear many hats, but each one is connected by the same purpose. I am a traveling musician, Minister of Music, educator, communications student, entrepreneur, and creative professional. Whether I am leading worship, performing on stage, mentoring young musicians, supporting educators, creating content for a client, or building a brand through JAD Creative, I am ultimately doing what I have always loved using creativity, communication, and service to bring people together and make a meaningful impact.
What makes this season of life especially meaningful is realizing that the passions I developed as a child have come full circle. The same young boy who sat beside his aunt at the piano, recorded choir tracks from a laptop, and dreamed about new ways to create is now living those dreams every day. While the platforms have grown and the opportunities have expanded, the mission remains the same: to use the gifts God has given me to serve others, tell meaningful stories, and leave every space better than I found it.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The short answer is no. My journey has been filled with challenges, setbacks, and moments where I wasn’t sure how I would move forward.
Growing up as a Christian in today’s world is not always easy. Like many young people, I wanted to find my own identity while balancing faith, family, and the pressures of simply being a kid, a teenager, and eventually an adult. One of the most difficult seasons of my life came around 2015 when my parents went through a painful divorce. The situation involved physical, emotional, and mental abuse, all of which I had to navigate while still in high school. My grades suffered, my attendance declined, and I eventually graduated through the Del Valle Opportunity Center rather than following the path I had originally envisioned for myself.
Just two years earlier, I had lost my grandfather, who meant the world to me. That loss deeply affected me and eventually inspired me to write and release my freshman single, “Fix Me – Broken.” At the time, however, I didn’t fully understand how to process grief, and before I had healed from one loss, I found myself facing another major life challenge. The weight of everything became overwhelming, and I reached a point where I attempted to take my own life.
What happened next changed my life forever. In that moment, I felt God speak to my spirit and say, “My grace is sufficient. Just wait, and you will see.” I cannot fully explain it, but I felt overcome by a peace and strength that did not come from me. That experience became a turning point in my life and faith. Later that same night, I began writing a song titled “My Grace,” which I plan to release in the upcoming future.
As an adult, the challenges did not disappear. Like many people, I was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and experienced the loss of my home, my job, and my vehicle. Yet even during that season, I still had my family, my faith, and a belief that better days were ahead.
More recently, I faced another major health battle when I was hospitalized for over a month after being diagnosed with kidney failure. During my recovery, my liver function began to decline, and I was later sent back to the hospital because my primary care physician feared I might have cancer. It was another frightening season filled with uncertainty.
Through every setback, loss, disappointment, and health challenge, I have witnessed God’s faithfulness. My story is not one of avoiding hardship; it is a story of overcoming it. Every obstacle has strengthened my faith, deepened my compassion for others, and reminded me that even in life’s darkest moments, there is still hope.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Music remains one of the cornerstones of my creative journey. I currently serve as Minister of Music at Greater Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist Church, where I have the privilege of leading worship, mentoring musicians, and helping shape the musical direction of our ministry. One of the projects closest to my heart was recording and releasing “Sing Praises” with the Greater Mount Moriah music ministry, a project that allowed me to combine my passion for worship, leadership, and music production.
My journey has also afforded me the opportunity to work alongside incredible artists and organizations, including The Levites and The Moriah Sisters. Through these collaborations, I have been blessed to perform on some of Austin’s most notable stages, including Austin City Limits (ACL) and South by Southwest (SXSW). Beyond live performances, we have also spent time in the studio recording music for forthcoming projects that I am excited for audiences to hear.
Working with The Levites has been particularly meaningful. I was honored to be featured on the song “Someday” and participate in the grief documentary, *Made for Each Other: A Musical Journey Through Grief*. The project has received international recognition, including award honors in Canada, and allowed me to be part of a conversation about healing, faith, loss, and hope through music.
The Moriah Sisters have also played an important role in my musical journey. Watching their ministry impact audiences through powerful vocals, authentic worship, and meaningful storytelling has been inspiring. Having opportunities to perform, record, and collaborate with them has further strengthened my appreciation for the power of music to bring people together and create lasting connections.
Throughout my career, music has opened doors I never imagined possible. From local churches and community events to national conventions such as the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA), serving as a featured keyboardist on a Texas Mass Choir youth recording project, and performing on some of the nation’s most recognizable stages, every opportunity has reinforced my belief that music is one of the most powerful forms of communication.
In addition to collaborative projects and ministry work, I continue to release music under my creative brand, JAD Creative, using the artist name D’noJ. Through my music, I share stories of faith, perseverance, healing, and personal growth. Every song, every performance, and every project represents another chapter in a journey that began with a young boy sitting beside his aunt at a church piano, dreaming of what might one day be possible.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The creative and communications industries are evolving faster than ever before, and I believe the next 5 to 10 years will be defined by a balance between technology and authenticity.
Artificial intelligence, automation, and emerging technologies are already changing the way we create content, design graphics, produce music, edit video, and communicate with audiences. These tools will continue to become more powerful and accessible, allowing creatives to work more efficiently and bring ideas to life faster than ever before. However, I don’t believe technology will replace creativity. Instead, I believe it will amplify the work of those who know how to use it effectively.
One of the biggest shifts I foresee is an increased demand for authentic storytelling. Audiences are becoming more selective about the content they consume. People want to connect with real stories, real experiences, and real people. Organizations, churches, businesses, and artists that can communicate with honesty and purpose will continue to stand out in an increasingly crowded digital landscape.
I also believe the lines between industries will continue to blur. Today’s creative professionals are often expected to wear multiple hats. A photographer may also be a videographer. A musician may also be a content creator. A communications specialist may also manage social media, branding, marketing, and public relations. The ability to adapt and continuously learn new skills will become even more valuable in the years ahead.
From a music and ministry perspective, I see technology creating opportunities to reach audiences that were once impossible to reach. Livestreaming, digital distribution, virtual collaboration, and social media have already transformed how artists and ministries engage with people around the world. I believe those opportunities will continue to expand while still leaving room for the personal connections and community experiences that make music and ministry so impactful.
Ultimately, I believe the future belongs to creatives who can successfully combine innovation with authenticity. The tools will change, the platforms will evolve, and the technology will advance, but people will always connect with meaningful stories, genuine relationships, and purposeful creativity. Those fundamentals will never go out of style.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadmusic17/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.a.henderson.1
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/Q8UpYpHc1gY
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-928703186/we-need-a-healing?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e233_tv0
