John is the founding pastor of Wings of Love Community Church. He was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. His family moved around the country as his father worked as a high-level engineer. The Butler’s moved to Lycoming County from California in 1969. He graduated from South Williamsport Area High School in 1979.

During his school years, John attended various churches in the area but never made a commitment to Christ. In 1980, John visited a relative in Belleville, Illinois and was dramatically converted at a local Pentecostal church. He lived there for ten years graduating from both Belleville Christian College and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.

John married Carol Lynn Harvey, his high school sweetheart, in July 1982. He holds degrees in both ministry and secondary education.