Senior Pastor John Young

Senior Pastor John Young was born in 1968 in Washington, D.C., the eldest of four children. From a young age, God placed him in an environment where his calling was hidden. Reflecting on his early life, Pastor Young often describes himself as a rose that grew from concrete. Fearfully and wonderfully made, though not a term he understood at the time, he endured multiple traumas in his early years, including divorce, molestation, and abuse. Unaware of Christ's love and power, he suffered in silence.

In response to his childhood pain, Pastor Young turned to a life far from God. He transitioned from being a fun-loving, energetic child to a drug-selling addict—an identity that shadowed him for over thirty years. Prison and probation became constants, accompanied by a failed marriage, job instability, and a life of abusive and unruly behavior. Trust was scarce, and friendships were few. It wasn’t until one of his incarcerations that he was diagnosed with PTSD stemming from his early trauma—an eye-opening revelation that led him to counseling and clearer thinking. This newfound clarity forced him to confront not only his own pain but also the pain he had caused others, especially his children. Yet, by God’s grace, he never lost contact with them, and they witnessed the transformation in his life.

While healing from mental and physical turmoil, Pastor Young sought spiritual guidance. Unbeknownst to him, God had placed a longing in his heart for something beyond this world. He discovered a powerful truth in Matthew 12:43–45, realizing the necessity of filling the empty spaces of his life with God, lest the world return with greater force. This scripture ignited his passion for Christ and fueled his deep study of God’s Word. He was mentored by Chaplain Bob Revell, who guided him with Bible studies, study materials, intentional conversations, and patience. Chaplain Charles Law furthered his growth with in-depth teachings on scripture, contextual understanding, and delivery of the Word.

After decades of incarceration, Pastor Young was finally prepared to embrace a new life. He began leading Bible study groups and preaching, discovering a unique way to connect with younger audiences. Rekindling his earlier love for rap music, he rewrote his old lyrics with Christian themes. Through this creative ministry, Pastor Young developed transformative music that resonated with young people—engaging them in praise long before they realized it. He saw the powerful parallel between secular music’s subtle entrapments and gospel rap’s uplifting message—turning a weapon of the enemy into a tool for God’s glory.

Today, Senior Pastor John Young is a dynamic Pastor, Teacher, Recording Artist, Mentor, Counselor, and soon-to-be Author, all dedicated to the glory of Christ. He is deeply grateful to Overseer Ann for recognizing his gifts and providing him opportunities to serve, as well as for her continued support of Maranatha and its ministry events and Bible studies. Pastor Young looks forward to the future of this ministry, calling churches to “pick up your cross and not another cause.” With a heart full of gratitude, he embraces the mission of serving Christ and equipping others to do the same.

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