For years, Pastor John Gray has been hearing about Jamaica, its food, and rich culture, but he has never experienced it for himself.

The veteran pastor, author, speaker, and influencer will get to experience the Jamaican vibes when he visits the island for the first time to participate in the three-day Mindset Conference, which is scheduled for May 20-22 at Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

“Jamaica is really a dream come true; to be able to be with the great people of Jamaica, to experience the culture, to experience the wonderful food — I’m so excited about the food — to be able to worship with my brothers and sisters on the island, and to learn and to experience new things,” he said.

The minister continued: “Jamaica has a rich history. It is a beautiful country with beautiful people. And I look forward to being a part of the history of good things that add value to the nation. Jamaica has always been a place that people in the United States celebrate, and we romanticise. Now I get to experience that for myself, and I’m very excited at the Mindset Conference,” Pastor Gray shared in an interview with the Jamaica Observer last week.

This year marks 30 years that Pastor Gray has been involved in ministering and he is looking forward to sharing the word of God with attendees at the conference.

“You can expect to worship, you can expect to shout, to dance or to laugh, to cry to encounter Jesus in a unique way. We are going to shift the mindset of individuals who may have thought that their life was in a bad place or that past mistakes hinder their ability to do great things in the future. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind; when your mind is renewed everything in your life mines up. When you get your mind aligned everything else in your life will be aligned. So, I am coming to reset mindsets so that people can be prepared for their destiny. God has great plans for each one of us. My job is to remind us of that reality,” said Pastor Gray.

Pastor Gray shared his experience of how he came into ministry and preaching.

“I was not led to ministry, I was called to ministry. I was 13 years old. I was on the second day of a three-day revival in Cincinnati, Ohio, at my childhood church, Bethel Baptist. My mother was the pianist there and we had a family singing group that sang on first Sundays… And the Lord called me to ministry sitting in the sanctuary that night, and I have been on a path on a pathway ever since walking out that calling. So, I didn’t choose ministry, ministry chose me, God chose me. And I know it was God because at 13 there’s nobody that I knew in my group of friends who’s woke up saying I can’t wait to be a preacher or a pastor. In fact, that was very sad. But my mother prayed and the Holy Spirit confirmed that I was indeed called. I have been walking with the Lord ever since. I preached my first sermon at 21 years of age in September 1994. I haven’t looked back,” Pastor Gray shared.

Gospel music, said Pastor Gray, is not just an art form, it is a language of the soul.

“Singing with the gospel choir at the University of Cincinnati was one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences of my life. It fostered lifelong friendships… wonderful experiences travelling the country. But more than that, opened my eyes to the power of gospel music outside of the church walls. It was after I was singing with the choir that I got an opportunity to go on tour with a then-up-and-coming gospel artiste named Kirk Franklin and that was in the fall of 1995. And my life has never been the same,” he said.

Pastor Gray played a role in Mindset Conference conceptualiser, Jamaican Delroy Escoffery giving his life to Christ.

“Delroy is a rare, unique, and creative and talented individual. I believe that my role in his life is one of not just a pastor, but a mentor, an example that Delroy can be full-time in ministry and also full-time in other endeavours that expand the kingdom of God… Delroy is an astute creative and astute businessman. And I would hope that by my commitment to scriptural integrity, and my commitment to an uncompromising stance on Jesus Christ, I’ve given Delroy an example and a strength to continue in all of his endeavours, because I am more than just a preacher who preaches on Sunday. I’m also an entrepreneur, I’m also a creative. And so I believe that Delroy sees me… I believe that empowers him to do everything that he’s currently and will do in the future,” he said.

Pastor Gray and his wife hosted a show on the Oprah Winfrey Network. He has also hosted shows on Christian television in the US for several years.

He shared that his Pastor Gray Ministries has helped to impact lives in a positive way.

“Years ago, when I was an associate pastor at Lakewood Church with Pastor Joel Osteen, I started the non-profit John Gray Ministries to be the extension of who I wanted to be in the ministry space outside of church. And so, it was more about me finding a vehicle to share the gospel in unique ways. We gave to the community during Hurricane Harvey in Houston, where millions of people were affected. We were able to give away hundreds of thousands of dollars of resources through John Gray Ministries,” said Pastor Gray.

Said Pastor Gray: “What I enjoy most is seeing people’s lives changed by the word of God… [A]nd what I enjoy most is singing, changing lives, seeing eyes opened, seeing spirits freed.