Born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, Jonathan grew up in the church and began playing drums at his church as a young child. He moved onto playing the organ and singing in the youth choir, inspired by gospel greats such a Kim Burrell, Smokie Norful and Israel Houghton, and even R&B and rock and roll giants like Stevie Wonder, India Arie, John Mayer, and Paul McCartney. But actually, singing was not his forte at the time. “I didn’t like singing back then,” Jonathan admits. “I wasn’t the type of person who was a front man. I was OK with just playing the organ. I wasn’t ready for that criticism of being out in front, and in the spotlight.”
However it was too hard to suppress that great voice and undeniable talent. His mother encouraged him to sing and use the gift that God had given him. So it was in high school that he began to listen to his mom and to God. “In high school you’re looking for an identity, you’re looking for something to separate you from something else, and singing just became my thing. God really had a plan for me.”
In 2007, Jonathan went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Urban and Popular Music at Columbia College in Chicago, which allowed him to perfect his vocal skills, master the piano, and study the performance, production, and business side of the music industry. He even set up a small studio in his dorm room, taking the time between classes to write and record music. But it was his junior year in 2009, when his life would be changed forever. He put together a few songs and created a CD called The Very Unofficial EP of Jonathan McReynolds to give as a Christmas gift for his family. “I got a good response from them and also from friends coming in and out of my dorm room who were just hanging out and listening to my stuff.”
Jonathan also posted the music on Facebook and somehow the CD was leaked to the local radio station. “One morning I woke up to 10 missed calls on my cell phone because one of my songs had just been played on the radio. I called into the radio station and the deejay invited me to his church. I went to the church and sold a thousand CDs in one day and things took off from there. I literally woke up and was an artist,” he says. Jonathan then went to Atlanta to for an event with Bishop Paul Morton and Pastor Jerry Parries, the president of Tehillah Music Group/Light Records, and was soon signed to the label after remarkable feedback.
And now there’s Life Music, Jonathan’s amazing debut album which takes listeners on a touching journey through his life experiences and his deep faith and connection to God. In the first single, “I Love You,” which is getting a lot of radio play and generating a lot of buzz, Jonathan proudly praises his savior and thanks him for being such a resounding force in his life, singing, “Just as sure as I know my name/I know one thing that will never change/I love you.” While in the honest and moving “No Gray,” Jonathan discusses the difficulty of navigating both worlds—the secular and the Godly—crooning, “Lord, I’m split in two/part of me loves the world/and the other loves you/so what do I do/I want to be saved but I want to be cool too/.”
According to Jonathan, Life Music is everything he’s truly about. “The album is about being authentic, genuine, pure and transparent. That’s who I am as a person,” he says. “I’m direct, I’m blunt. I’m not giving into clichés or Christian needs. It’s all about living a life that is worship, as opposed to just relegating it to one day—Sunday worship. Life Music is about encouraging people to live their whole lives, as hard as it is sometimes, working on living their lives for God. That’s what my struggle is about and it’s what my message of encouragement is as well. I was able to write, produce, play 85 percent of the instruments and I saw the songs literally from the ground up. It’s like my heart put out on a CD and I hope people hear and understand that it literally comes from heart.”
There’s no question that Jonathan is more than excited about the album, which debuted at #3 on the charts after its fall 2012 release, and ready for whatever is next. “I’m ready for whatever God wants me to do. As long as people can respect me as a man of God, a good musician, a good writer, I’m happy,” he says.
So what is up next? Jonathan just completed a series of online Unplugged-type videos for tracks off of Life Music which is getting a great response on Youtube, and plans on doing a live album next year for Tehillah Music. He is also back in school after receiving his undergrad degree in 2011, to receive a master’s degree in biblical studies.
The Christian music industry now has a young, impressive, multi-talented artist who is not afraid to open up his heart and soul and honestly sing about the ebb and flow of living in Christ. “I feel like God knows who I am. He knows my strengths and weaknesses and he wanted me to do this. What humbles me is that I know this is what God wants to do in this season of my life,” Jonathan says. “I see how it’s affecting other people. I see how it affects youth. I see how it affects young black men like me. He’s giving me the opportunity to shine, to point people to Him."
Christ Representers
Jonathan McReynolds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the car they drive, or the clothes they've worn
And we get all proud to rep our city, CHI Town
And even the month that they were born - September
See everybody loves, their different story.
Everyone on earth has a different cause
But before the details get too gory
We are Christ representers!
We are Christ representers!
And we shine our light so bright that we make them say Whoa
We gotta let them know that we are Christ Representers
I've been anointed to be the light
And glorify my God
So every box you try to put me in
It may be exactly what I'm not
We're not your average boys and girls
There's something very special on our ID
What I'm worth to the world
It's way bigger than me
Cuz we are, Christ Representers!
We are Christ representers!
And we shine our light so bright that we make ‘em say Whoa
We gotta let them know that we are Christ Representers!
We are Christ Representers!
We are Christ representers!
And we shine our light so bright that we make ‘em say Whoa
We gotta let them know that we are Christ Representers!
We're the light of the world, we're a city on a hill
And we're telling everybody that Jesus is real
And we go by the name that's the greatest in the land
Whoa, everybody don't understand, that's cool, but -
We are Christ Representers!
We are Christ representers!
And we shine our light so bright that we make ‘em say Whoa
We gotta let them know that we are Christ Representers!
We are Christ representers!
We are Christ representers!
And we shine our light so bright that we make them say Whoa
We gotta let them know that we are Christ representers
Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so, say so, live so, walk so
we shine our light so bright that we make ‘em say Whoooooooaaaaaaa uuuuuuhhhhhh we are, we are, we are whoooooaaaah...
The song "Christ Representers" by Jonathan McReynolds is an uplifting and inspiring anthem that celebrates the unifying power of faith in Jesus Christ. The lyrics address the tendency for people to base their identity on material possessions, such as their car or clothes, or on more nuanced factors, such as their birthplace or birth month. However, the song reminds listeners that regardless of their differences, all believers in Christ are bonded by their role as "representers" of Christ, shining his light bright for the world to see.
McReynolds emphasizes the importance of rejecting any attempts to box ourselves in and instead embracing our unique calling to carry Christ's message of love and hope to the world. He recognizes that this purpose is bigger than him and elevates the importance of believers coming together, united in their mission. The chorus repeats the message, "We are Christ representers," and encourages believers to boldly shine their light so bright that those around them can't help but take notice.
Overall, the song celebrates the unifying power of faith in a way that inspires listeners to be proud of their identity as Christians and to share that identity with the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Some people place their whole existence
Many people define themselves entirely based on material possessions like their car or clothing
On the car they drive, or the clothes they've worn
Their self-worth is tied up in these external factors
And we get all proud to rep our city, CHI Town
We take pride in representing our hometown of Chicago
And even the month that they were born - September
People feel a sense of identity and pride even in something as small as their birth month
See everybody loves, their different story.
Everyone has a unique story and set of circumstances that shapes their life
Everyone on earth has a different cause
People are passionate about different things and have different goals
But before the details get too gory
But before things get too complicated or messy
There's one thing that unifies us all
Everyone can unite around one thing
We are Christ representers!
We are called to represent Christ to the world
And we shine our light so bright that we make them say Whoa
We radiate love and goodness so strongly that it impacts those around us
We gotta let them know that we are Christ Representers
We have a responsibility to let others know about our faith
I've been anointed to be the light
As a Christian, I have a responsibility to reflect the light of God to the world
And glorify my God
And to give honor and glory to God through my actions
So every box you try to put me in
No one can limit or define me
It may be exactly what I'm not
I am not limited by others' opinions or expectations of me
We're not your average boys and girls
Christians are not just ordinary people
There's something very special on our ID
Our identity as Christians is unique and special
What I'm worth to the world
My value is not based on worldly success or possessions
It's way bigger than me
My worth and purpose go beyond my individual self
We're the light of the world, we're a city on a hill
As Christians, we are called to shine light and serve as an example to others
And we're telling everybody that Jesus is real
We share the truth about Jesus with others
And we go by the name that's the greatest in the land
We bear the name of Jesus, which is the most powerful and important name
Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so, say so, live so, walk so
We should live in a way that shows we have been redeemed by God
we shine our light so bright that we make ‘em say Whoooooooaaaaaaa uuuuuuhhhhhh we are, we are, we are whoooooaaaah...
Our love and goodness should impact and influence others in a powerful way
Contributed by Annabelle F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@lordbest4190
Some people place their whole existence
On the car they drive, or the clothes they've worn
And we get all proud to rep our city, Chi-Town
And even the month that they were born - September
See everybody loves, their different story
Everyone on earth has a different cause
But before the details get too gory
There's one thing that unifies us all
We are Christ representers!
We are Christ representers!
And we shine our light so bright that we make them say Whoa
We gotta let them know that we are Christ representers
I've been anointed to be the light
And glorify my God
So every box you try to put me in
It may be exactly what I'm not
We're not your average boys and girls
There's something very special on our ID
What I'm worth to the world
It's way bigger than me
Cuz we are, Christ representers!
We are Christ representers!
And we shine our light so bright that we make ‘em say Whoa
We gotta let them know that we are Christ representers!
We're the light of the world, we're a city on a hill
And we're telling everybody that Jesus is real
And we go by the name that's the greatest in the land
Whoa, everybody don't understand, that's cool, but -
We are Christ representers!
We are Christ representers!
And we shine our light so bright that we make ‘em say Whoa
We gotta let them know that we are Christ representers!
It's in the way we walk, it's in the way we talk
It's in the way we live, it's in the way we give
It's in the way we praise, Jesus everyday
That we shine our light so bright that we make ‘em say Whoaa
@tonyamoss3971
He is a Great singer. I heard the song in a friends car. And the song is totally true. Jesus Everyday! He the only way in the earth and the only way out.
@louissmoot
I'm from the streets and working on my relationship with GOD but your music gets me closer to were I know were I need to be....
having a closer relationship with my LORD! Thanks for your ministry through your music!
@sean45m67
Louis Smoot May god be with u man
@maurissac5285
God bless you! 🙌🏽
@krystleknott
Amen, thank you for sharing.
We're all a work in progress my brother. God meets us where we are and he knows your heart.
We have to be the light.And, let people not see us , but see Jesus in us 💖.
@kamwanawajane5846
2023 am still watching this and being blessed
@emmanueladebayo9352
His first song i ever listen to. A lot has changed for me since i found his songs. He's inspired me so much. Even now i'm proud of him, he's won a grammy, he's always deserved it though. I love you Jonny.❤
@GospelMusicMix01
To person reading this never lose hope just when you think it's over God will send you a miracle Amen 📖🙏💪👏
@sharonkimble7835
I am sooo proud of being a Christ representer 😄😄😄😄😄😄hallelujah need l say more 🙏🙏🙏🙏amen in Jesus name ⚘⚘⚘⚘
@amandakaren6379
This song still hits so hard 🙏🏾 a big part of who I am in Christ