Jonathan Brooks, aka Pastah J, has lived in Chicago his whole life and is a speaker, writer, artist, community developer and activist—and alum of Uniting Voices. Jonathan was a member of the choir from 1989-1997, and his time in the choir included being a part of Concert Choir (which would eventually transform into Voice of Chicago) and the landmark 1996 tour to South Africa, where we performed for Nelson Mandela. After high school, he went on to receive his Bachelor of Architecture from Tuskegee University, Master of Arts in Teaching from National Louis University, as well as a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Northern Seminary with an emphasis in Christian Community Development. Currently, he serves as Lead Pastor at Lawndale Christian Community Church in the North Lawndale neighborhood and the Chief Inspiration Officer for Lawndale Christian Ministries which includes Lawndale Christian Health Center, Lawndale Christian Development Corporation and Lawndale Christian Legal Center. We caught up with Jonathan to talk about how his time with Uniting Voices impacted his ministry, how the tour experience changed his life and what returning to sing with the choir at Songs of the Season meant to him.
Uniting Voices Chicago: How do the values you learned during your time with Uniting Voices impact your ministry?
Jonathan Brooks: Some of the values I learned during my time with Uniting Voices were truly understanding and embracing diversity. This was and still remains a main component of the choir as a multiracial, multicultural choir coming together to show that through music this type of unity was possible. For many people, our choir was the first time they tangibly saw the unity they had been longing for. My ministry has been built on seeing glimpses of God’s kingdom alive and well here on Earth. When Jesus teaches his disciples to pray he reminds them to pray for this to happen. I first saw a glimpse of this while in Uniting Voices Chicago.
I also gained a love of music as the universal language, and it helped me to realize that no matter what differences we may hold when we have something, like music, to unite us there are no barriers that can keep us from one another. This is a core value of my ministry: our faith calls us to see beyond differences and embrace our common humanity. My favorite quote is by Dr. Benjamin E. Mays: “The love of God and the love of humanity is ONE LOVE.”
And lastly, I developed a love for traveling, which has made the world much smaller. This is a big part of my ministry. Not only am I focused on practicing presence in local communities in Chicago, but I see myself as a global citizen who represents peace, unity, and love wherever I travel or reside. I try to instill these values wherever I am called to be a Minister.
UVC: We are currently fundraising for our alumni tour fundraiser. What is your favorite tour memory, and how did the touring experience impact your life?
JB: My favorite tour memory would hands-down be the 32-day tour of the entire country of South Africa in 1996. Spending time with host families, other children’s choirs, regardless of economic or class status was truly life-changing. My favorite moment was when we had the opportunity to sing in an elementary school in Guguletu, South Africa and we performed Shosholoza, a traditional South African song. When we were done performing, our director, William Chin, turned around and asked the students if they would sing the song for us so we could hear how it was supposed to sound. This gymnasium full of children and their teachers began to sing in perfect harmony and showed us what the song actually should sound like. Now to this day, the way that the Uniting Voices performs Shosholoza is based on the way those children taught us back in 1996!
After returning home from this tour in 1996, my life was never the same. I saw myself as an ambassador for peace, justice, and hope and could no longer see the world exactly the same way as prior to the trip. Touring at such a young age truly reshapes your vision of the world as it is and as it could be.
UVC: You recently returned to sing with current singers at Songs of the Season. What was that like?
JB: Joining Uniting Voices Chicago for Songs of the Season was an absolute joy. As I stated from the stage, during my remarks, it’s always a thrill to sing classic pieces like “Chichester Psalms.” They remind you of the rigor of singing and commitment it takes to perform at such a high level. Being with fellow alumni as well as current singers was a reminder of how special my time in the choir truly was and how exceptional and rare it is to perform in such amazing venues as the Harris Theatre.
UVC: How does music continue to be a part of your life?
JB: Music is not just a part of my life…It is my life. While I don’t consider myself a professional musician, music plays a significant role in every area of my ministry, family life, and even my recreational time. I love to sing and still sing in as many choirs as possible. Not only did I sing with Uniting Voices Chicago but also with Hubbard High School Advanced Ensemble traveling in Vienna, Austria my senior year. In college I sang with the Tuskegee University “Golden Voices” Concert Choir where I fell in love with Negro Spirituals. Currently I sing with the newly formed Chicago HBCU Alumni Choir, under the direction of world class baritone and conductor, Martin Woods.
I have recorded a gospel album with my former church, Canaan Community Church, titled “Recommend Jesus” which uses gospel music as an avenue to discuss Christian community Development Philosophy. I have recorded four hip hop albums with the group Out-world and even taught music in both public and private schools. Anyone who knows me knows that I love music!
UVC: What’s your favorite concert or theater performance you’ve ever been to?
JB: This one is difficult because I have so many favorite concert experiences and I love to hear live music or see theater performances. I would have to say that my favorite right now would be seeing Hamilton live on Broadway in Chicago. Hamilton brings together all of my loves in one place: diverse cast, history, choirs, theater, dancing and hip-hop! I watched it on Disney+ first and was impressed but seeing it live was a real treat and an amazing experience.
UVC: Anything you’d like your fellow Alumni to know about?
JB: There is nothing that I want them to know about, but I would like to encourage us all to get involved and reconnected with the choir. We all know the impact that this organization had on our lives and it is such a joy to know that that same impact is being made generations later. I hope that we all will support in as many, tangible ways as possible, whether that’s true, physical presence, financial contributions, or just sharing the word about this amazing organization with as many people as possible. For all that Uniting Voices Chicago has given us, I believe this is the least we can do to show our appreciation.