Dr. Jonathan L. McKnight is a father, beloved pastor, successful entrepreneur, global philanthropist, author, motivator, mentor, prolific preacher, and dynamic teacher, residing in Orlando, Florida with his son, Jonathan L. McKnight II. Dr. McKnight, began operating in his call to the ministry in 1991 as a full-time Evangelist in the Church of God by Faith, founded in 1914 and now led by his father and mentor, Presiding Prelate, Bishop James E. McKnight, Sr. In 1997, the national organization appointed him as the pastor of the 30-member Orlando congregation situated in one of the city’s southwest, historically crime-ridden communities.
Almost 9 years later, Pastor McKnight has developed and moved Sanctuary of Praise Ministries to become one of Orlando’s most progressive churches. Sanctuary of Praise is a multiracial congregation of more than 2,000 members, now located at 5600 Westgate Drive on 32 acres of prime commercial property, just 3 miles north of Universal Studios. In January 2007, God catapulted the ministry into a 6-month construction marathon, resulting in the June 2007 completion and celebration of its new sanctuary. Sanctuary of Praise presently owns more than 90,000 square feet of multiple building spaces, including three worship facilities in prime locations in west Orlando, with the ministry’s commercial properties totaling 38 acres. Pastor McKnight and Sanctuary of Praise stand firm on a foundation of commitment in caring for the Central Florida community. Pastor McKnight and volunteers from The Sanctuary are often seen serving in the distribution of food to neighborhoods throughout Orlando, Clermont, Eatonville, Sanford, Winter Garden, and Apopka; feeding more than 10,000 families in 2005 alone, funded solely from the ministry’s outreach program. The ministry’s food and clothing banks provide assistance to an average of 700 families each month, and has been declared central Florida’s number one, none grant-funded food distribution center by Second Harvest Food Bank. In 2005, compassion’s call provoked Sanctuary of Praise to donate over $125,000 in goods and monetary gifts to hurricane victims in the Gulf States, as well as in Florida. The ministry’s humanitarian endeavors reach beyond the shores of the United States to support missions in Jamaica, Nassau Bahamas, Freeport Bahamas, Africa, Trinidad, and Haiti, with the provision of food, clothing, housing, orphanages, education, medical assistance and other goods and services.
The church consistently participates in evangelical and practical outreach efforts to prison inmates throughout Florida, including revivals and crusades inside prison and correctional facilities located in Orlando, Coleman, Lowell, Bushnell, and Starke. Inmates from the Coleman facility have participated for 3 consecutive years in the annual “I Did It In The Name Of Love” Relationship Conference founded by Pastor McKnight in 2003, co-hosted annually by Jonathan L. McKnight Ministries (the evangelistic ministry founded by Pastor McKnight) and Sanctuary of Praise. Jonathan L. McKnight Ministries also facilitates radio broadcasts where Pastor McKnight can be heard ministering daily throughout Florida, North Carolina and New York.
Pastor McKnight, the JLM Ministries Team and Sanctuary of Praise synergistically facilitate annual conferences including the annual Valentine’s weekend, relationship conference, “I Did It In the Name of Love,” providing practical solutions for matters of the heart; “Bringing It All Together” designed to bring healing to the body of Christ and unite the hearts of pastors and ministries throughout Central Florida; and the “Travailing Into the Supernatural” Prayer Conference where delegates are empowered to pursue God’s presence through the power of prayer. The annual conferences have featured world-renown guests including Bishop T. D. Jakes, Dr. Creflo Dollar, Prophetess Juanita Bynum Weeks, Bishop Noel Jones, Bishop Neil Ellis and Psalmists Beverly Crawford, Vicki Yohé, CeCe Winans, Joann Rosario and Dorinda Clark-Cole. In addition to hosting his own conferences, Pastor McKnight and his ministry teams are occasionally found laboring alongside international ministries in partnership to strengthen and support the efforts of those hosting conferences in the Central Florida region.
This entrepreneur turned pastor has led The Sanctuary in the planning and development of a multi-phased building project on the Kirkman Road property including Beacon Pointe, a 33,000 square foot, state of the art Commerce Center featuring the ministry’s Christian supply store, Eagle’s Nest, and Mama Nems’ Soul Food Restaurant (owned by Pastor Jonathan McKnight); all opened in July, 2006. Future development plans include a Bible College, Asher Court, an independent living community for seniors; a Family Life Center containing two gymnasiums, men’s and women’s fitness centers, a 10-lane bowling alley, theatre, childcare facility, library, and computer lab; and a 5500-seat Cathedral to host worship services.
In recognition of his outstanding leadership and philanthropic endeavors, Pastor McKnight is the recipient of the 2002 Heritage Award from the Daughters of Rizpah Ministries founded by Rev. Jackie McCullough, and four Good Citizenship Awards from the Orlando Police Department for community service and outreach in efforts to reduce crime in one of the city’s most impoverished regions. He is also recognized by the City of Orlando and the Orange County Commission for Community Involvement, honored by the City of Orlando with the presentation of two Gold Keys to the City and is the recipient of multiple declarations from City, County, and State governments acknowledging Sanctuary of Praise Day.
In addition to his pastoral and evangelistic assignments, Pastor McKnight serves the Church of God by Faith, Inc. through membership on the National Board for Home and Foreign Missions, and holds licenses as a National Evangelist, Ordained Minister and an Ordained Elder. Pastor Jonathan L. McKnight is the Gainesville native son of Bishop James E. and Mother Jessie McKnight, a 5th generation preacher, and Florida Theological Seminary graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies and a Doctor of Divinity degree. Grounded by grace and established in faith, Dr. Jonathan L. McKnight stands humbly, yet stately, as one of this generation’s giants in faith and vision.
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