deshawn white

McArthur Deshawn White is an American preacher and songwriter serving Christ with his wife, Bethany Faith, and two sons, Benjamin Josiah and Azariah Justice, in Johnson City, TN where he was born. He grew up in Carver Projects amidst violence and poverty, but through faith and God’s grace, he persevered. White’s turbulent past has instilled within him a burning desire to share his faith and hope with the world.

In his early years, White toured the country with a Grammy Award-winning hip hop artist and pursued a career in the mainstream music industry. By 2010, White had a song on CBS radio (Power98) in Charlotte and was gaining national attention with a solid fan base. But God had different plans for White. What can only be described as an encounter with Jesus during a concert in a packed arena urged him on a yearlong quest to seek God and learn who He is. During this year White spent most of his time reading the bible, fasting, and praying for God to reveal Himself in a deeper way. By the end of his spiritual quest, Deshawn developed a passion for scripture as God revealed himself through the Holy texts and through His divine revelations. The call to surrender his life to preach was evident.

Deshawn began his ministry career at Kids Across America in Branson, MO as a youth mentor. The summer of 2012 was devoted to ministering to inner-city youth. In 2013, He became an intern pastor at Hosanna Fellowship in Johnson City, TN where he learned the mechanics and day to day requirements of maintaining a church. While at Hosanna Fellowship, he also attended Antioch School of Ministry to deepen his convictions and gain a better understanding of who God is. Jeff Oakes, a devout man of God, became a close friend and mentor to White while he studied. In 2014, White launched 323 Missions, an evangelical ministry aimed at exhorting the Church and leading people to Christ. Music was still much a part of White’s ministry. While traveling with 323 Missions, he worked on an album, entitled Before the Ceiling Falls, that would be released in 2015. White moved to Florida in 2016 to act as Interim Outreach Pastor for Victory Church where he preached once a month, helped establish a food ministry, gave oversight to missional communities, and helped pastors partner together for the express purpose of advancing the Kingdom. Upon completing his commitment at Victory Church, White returned to Johnson City, the base of operations for 323 Missions/The Spark.

White endeavors to be a source of encouragement to the body of Christ, and is a light to the lost leading them Home. The heartbeat of his mission is to see the Church walking in the freedom Christ has to offer. He brings a message of liberation from the bondage of sin in his conviction filled preaching of the Gospel. His life message is founded on Luke 4:18:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight for the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.  (CSB)

M.D. White is glad to speak at churches, events, and conferences.

You can schedule him to speak at your church or event by emailing deshawn@weare323.com or team@thesparkjc.com