Brandon Whatley grew up in North East Texas in a Christian home
and gave his life to the Lord Jesus at the age of nine. He began
studying music as a child, and at age 16, began leading worship
in his home church. After graduating from high school, Brandon
joined the Continental Singers on three different international
tours. As he traveled and ministered in song in the nations,
his eyes and heart were opened to the lost world around him.
Brandon went on to study music at Kilgore Junior College and
Baylor University where, in 1992, he received his Bachelor’s
degree in Music Education. During this time of study, his heart
was set on the mission field. While living in Waco, Brandon
met Gwen McElroy and later married her in 1991. They celebrated
their first wedding anniversary on a short-term mission trip
to Novosibirsk, Russia. The next year, they returned to Siberia
to plant a new church where they served until 1997. Their daughter,
Bethany, was born in 1996 and spent the first year of her life
in Siberia.
In 1997, Brandon, Gwen, and Bethany moved to Haifa, Israel,
where they would spend the next nine years ministering in worship
ministry and various other ministries in a local congregation.
Having learned the Russian language, it was natural for them
to minister to many of the more than one million Russian speakers
in Israel. Their family continued to grow with the birth of
their son, Josiah, who was born in Israel.
While being based in Israel, Brandon had the opportunity to
travel to many nations as part of an Israeli worship team. These
experiences further strengthened his heart for the people of
the nations to come to know their Savior and to worship Him
with their whole heart.
After living overseas for 14 years, Brandon and his family
have moved back to the U.S. and are currently residing north
of Austin. The local church community has always been a priority
in Brandon's life, and he is serving the Lord in music ministry
at Antioch Community Church in Belton, Texas. Brandon’s
call to the nations continues to open doors for him to minister
in the states as well as abroad.
