Our Pastor

Pastor Jonathan Anderson is a native of Madison County, Mississippi. He is one of three siblings and the only son of Pastor Dr. Johnny and Missionary Jannifer Anderson. From the tender age of five, Jonathan began taking a valued interest in working in the music department of his father’s church, New Jerusalem COGIC. He began playing the organ, and his life forever changed after his commitment to music. He served as his father’s Minister of Music for fifteen years. In addition, Pastor Anderson has served the Canton, MS community with his gift for over a decade. His service to the Canton community through the Canton Gospel Music Association has afforded him an opportunity to play with some of Gospel music’s most renowned artist including: Darius Brooks, Paul Porter, Bishop Rance Allen, Maurette Brown-Clark, and Evangelist Beverly Crawford.  However, music ministry would not continue to be his sole passion in the Church. In May of 2008, our pastor accepted his call into the gospel ministry. His first official message was entitled, “Who Will the Lord Send, and What will the Sent Say?” From that moment forward, Pastor made the commitment to exemplify the righteousness the father requires while encouraging the sinner and believer to become the true worshipper the father seeks. Ps. 1:1-6, John 4:23-24. 

Professionally, Dr. Anderson serves as Director of Student Services for Biloxi Public Schools. He holds his Associates of Arts from Holmes Community College, a Bachelors of Science in Secondary Education from Mississippi College, a Masters of Education and Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern Mississippi. 

On February 14, 2014, as most people were celebrating Valentine’s Day with dinner and a movie, Bishop T.T. Scott returned to the church that his father founded in 1946 and where Bishop preached his first sermon in 1950. Bishop’s purpose in coming back to his home town of Pickens and to his home church the former Mt. Olive Church of God in Christ now know as Life Changing Ministries was unique. Bishop Scott’s purpose was to appoint Elder Jonathan Anderson as Pastor of Life Changing Ministries. After four years of service, Pastor Anderson and family moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. 

In January 2018, God impressed upon Pastor Anderson to invite others to participate in a water only fast for 48 hours. He entitled this fast, The Desired Nation Movement. Pastor did not realize then that this would inspire a church plant. On March 21 with one couple, Pastor began having bible study, and DeNation has been growing every since.  

While on this natural and spiritual journey, Jonathan met and married the former Renada Corella Brown of Rankin County, MS.  She has been an asset to his ministry, as he always says, “She makes me look better!” She labors with prayer and travailing for the people of God, and she has a genuine love for servicing God and His People. Jonathan and Renada have four children: Darion Cortez, Thaddeus Jonathan, Raelyn Cordelia, & Nathaniel James.