Pastor Carpenter returned in January 2007 to his hometown of Exmore, VA, in order to pastor Exmore Baptist Church. After giving his heart to Christ at Exmore Baptist Church in 1984 at the age of nine, he accepted God's call to the gospel ministry in June of 1986. Jonathan began preaching in churches throughout Virginia's Eastern Shore at the age of 15. He has preached at campgrounds, jails, and nursing homes and conducted revivals in several states.

Pastor Carpenter attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, where he sat under the preaching ministry of Dr. Jerry Falwell and was privileged on one occasion to preach at Pastor Falwell's Thomas Road Baptist Church. It was while he was at Liberty that Jonathan met his future wife, Stacey Harcum. The Lord has blessed them with two children, Andrew and Bethany.

Jonathan's desire and vision is to see souls saved, Christians revived, and the kingdom of God advanced.