Pastor Tonya H. Ware
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Pastor Tonya H. Ware
Tonya Hairston Ware, a native of Key West, Florida, was born to parents who traveled throughout the United States pioneering and planting churches. Early in life, Tonya's parents knew that she was divinely gifted. As a baby, she would lay quietly in her father's arms for hours while he prayed in preparation for ministry.
Tonya began singing at the age of six. After she was older, she accompanied her father when he went to provide ministry in local jails. Tonya would sing before he preached. As soon as she opened her mouth, the inmates would rush to the front bars to hear the "little girl with the amazing voice."
Growing up in a large family, Tonya's house was the "hang out" place for many of the children in the neighborhood. Tonya's parents assisted in "parenting" as many children as would come to play in their huge back yard. Any child at the house during their family's daily prayer time was ushered into prayer as Tonya's dad believed in the power of consistent family prayer. One of Tonya's favorite "secret places" as a youth was in the solitude of a big tree where she would go to spend time alone - praying, reading, meditating, and visually contemplating a bright and prosperous future. Tonya always dreamed of making a positive and lasting impact upon the world.
Tonya has overcome many challenges. In junior high, she was diagnosed with dyslexia. Tonya did not view the diagnosis as a valid excuse to fail. Rather, she received it as a wake up call to work smarter and harder until any task placed before her was completed on time and in excellence. Having been reared by parents who were insistent upon learning, Tonya loved reading and received a thirst for a continual quest for knowledge.
After graduating from high school with honors, she enrolled and graduated from Mississippi State University. There, she excelled and was very involved in various activities. She joined a noted campus choir and traveled extensively, singing in churches, special events, and corporate functions.
Through voice lessons and participating in choir, she acquired pertinent knowledge in understanding the mechanics of voice. Her voice matured into one that would inspire many. By the time she graduated from college, her gift to sing had literally touched thousands of people all over the world.