Meet Mr. Jonathan

Jonathan Gonzalez is the Director of Youth Ministries and Facilities at the Ocean City Tabernacle. His connection to Son Club started in 2013 when he was invited to share his story at a Tabernacle youth event. Shortly after, he was offered a position to work with middle school youth in Son Club, and in 2019 he became the director of the program.

His story is a faith journey that began in what Jonathan calls “one of the darkest moments of my life” – a horrible car accident in which he suffered major trauma at the age of 17. “On my last breath,” he says, “I remember praying, asking for another chance to live and if given another opportunity that I would come back to serve God. After weeks of being in a comma, years of rehabilitation, mountain tops, and many valleys, here I am fulfilling that promise that I made that night where I lost my life but gained eternal life in Christ Jesus.”

Jonathan is passionate about sharing his story with students, raising up young leaders, and creating atmospheres where young people feel accepted and are pointed to their God-given purpose in life. “My goal,” he says, “is to speak in every alternative school in New Jersey” – a goal which he is well on his way to accomplishing. He is also writing a book entitled, “I Am More Than My Scars.” In 2011, Jonathan was honored for his work in the community with the “Ambassador of Peace – Youth Leadership Services” award by the Atlantic County Executive Committee.

In addition to his roles here at the Ocean City Tabernacle, Jonathan also serves on the pastoral staff of Praise Tabernacle in Egg Harbor Township. He has been married for 10 years to his wife, Ashley, who is a teacher at Atlantic Christian School in Egg Harbor Township. They have two young children who attend school at ACS and participate in the activities of Son Club.