364037-Watts,Jonatha
Lead Church Planter
Peoria Illinois
Shepherd’s Gate Church
October 23
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About My Family
I spent my childhood years in Charlotte, North Carolina, before relocating to the Peoria, Illinois, area during my teen years. After dropping out of high school, I was confronted with the beauty of the gospel at 18 and came to Christ in faith. Sarah and I have been married since August 2014. We have three sons: Leon, Ezra, and Ian.
My time in ministry began serving urban and incarcerated teens in Peoria before serving as a student pastor in Eureka, Illinois. Sarah and I began having conversations about church planting, which led us to move from Illinois to Virginia so I could complete a pastoral residency at Portico Church in Charlottesville and to train at Grimké Seminary, graduating with a Master of Theological Studies. After three years in Virginia, we moved back to Peoria to plant Shepherd’s Gate Church.
My time in ministry began serving urban and incarcerated teens in Peoria before serving as a student pastor in Eureka, Illinois. Sarah and I began having conversations about church planting, which led us to move from Illinois to Virginia so I could complete a pastoral residency at Portico Church in Charlottesville and to train at Grimké Seminary, graduating with a Master of Theological Studies. After three years in Virginia, we moved back to Peoria to plant Shepherd’s Gate Church.
About My Church Plant
The story of Shepherd’s Gate Church really began more than 13 years ago. Throughout those years, we prayed regularly for God to make clear what our lives and ministry would look like in the long term. It is through these prayers and the relationships formed along the way that God has very clearly confirmed a vision and desire to see Shepherd’s Gate Church planted in downtown Peoria.
In Christ, God makes new people who live for Christ in all the world. Shepherd’s Gate Church seeks to exalt the triune God by proclaiming and living that gospel. To accomplish this vision for the city, we focus on engaging the city with Christ, making Him known to the unchurched and de-churched people in the city by calling them to turn to Christ for life.
We began gathering for public worship in spring 2026.
In Christ, God makes new people who live for Christ in all the world. Shepherd’s Gate Church seeks to exalt the triune God by proclaiming and living that gospel. To accomplish this vision for the city, we focus on engaging the city with Christ, making Him known to the unchurched and de-churched people in the city by calling them to turn to Christ for life.
We began gathering for public worship in spring 2026.
NAMB Church Planting
Millions in North America are in desperate need of hope. Ultimately, the only hope that’s going to last - in this life and the next - is the hope of the gospel. North American missionaries build relationships and share this hope in their communities and beyond.
