QUEEN SHEBA - Jonathan Phillips, age 19, began his music career in 1998. At that time, he attended Kelsey Avenue Middle School in Griffin, Georgia as a seventh grader. It was there he realized he had been given a gift and a talent for music. He began singing at different school events and soon became known around the city for his vocal talent and musical ability. By the twelfth grade, he decided to accept his calling as a music minister and worship leader. In February 2004, Jonathan began attending Harvest Temple Church, also located in Griffin. At that particular time, the church was looking for a youth worship leader for services on Wednesday nights. This is where Jonathan and Bryan became friends.

Bryan Smith, who recently accepted Jesus as his Savior, was the drummer for the youth band at the church. Jonathan, who recently accepted his calling as a music minister, took the position as the youth worship leader at Harvest Temple. The youth band at Harvest Temple was called ALIVE. At first, the band just lead the worship on Wednesday nights, but soon found themselves doing different events around the city. The invitations to perform and lead worship just kept coming. Everything was going good until one issue arose. About a year went by when the band realized that the name “ALIVE” was used by many different bands. So wanting to keep some part of the original name, the official band name became “Jonathan Phillips and the ALIVE Praise Band”.

The band went through many changes along the way. The original bass player in the band decided to go a different direction with his career, and this is where they picked up a new bass player, Kendal Brown. Kendal is Jonathan’s cousin. They never realized that one day they would be leading worship together in the same band. God has His way of working things to the good. After a few practice sessions with Kendal, the band was back in business!

The band continued to book dates and perform at many events across the state. Now you will find the band touring the country, leading people in worship and leading people to Christ through their ministry. The band always leaves their listeners with a spirit of joy, hope, and encouragement to carry with them in their daily lives. The band always emphasizes the message, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Phil 4:13. No matter how big your problems, no matter what your circumstances may be, always know that “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me”.

“Our goal is to lead people into the very presence of GOD through music and worship so that we all, under any circumstance, may overcome any obstacle that will come in our way” - Jonathan Phillips