MARCH 3–7, 2025 – Pastor Jonathan Montes spoke for Collegedale Academy’s spring semester Week of Prayer. His daily messages focused on identity in Christ. 

Pastor Montes is the youth director for the Georgia-Cumberland Conference and the director of Cohutta Springs Youth Camp. He insists on being called “PJ,” which is short for Pastor Jonathan. When asked about how he felt when he was presented with the opportunity to speak for Week of Prayer, he said, “It’s always a little scary, but it’s always an honor.”

Pastor Montes’ sermons throughout the week focused on finding identity in God. He referenced Bible heroes like Jacob and Gideon to illustrate the struggles and blessings that come with choosing God. For Thursday’s sermon, Pastor Montes decided to take a different direction based on some questions he was asked by students throughout the week. Instead of preaching about humanity’s identity in God, he chose to talk about the identity and character of God Himself. “That wasn’t originally on my talking points,” he explained, “…but I felt like the Spirit was leading me towards clarifying some characteristics and understanding of God.”

CA’s praise band led out in worship at the beginning of each chapel assembly. Before each sermon, they performed the theme song for the week, “Sinking Deep” by Hillsong Young & Free. The praise team ended the week with the lively Elevation Rhythm song “Goodbye Yesterday.”