He is the son of Rev. John Alvin Russ and Mrs. Ophelia Butler Warrick.  He is the oldest of five children. Rev. Butler is the proud husband of Mrs. Theonita Marisa Hampton Butler and is the father of two lovely daughters.
 
He is a graduate of Booker T. Washington Sr. High School and has obtained his Degree in Engineering at New Orleans School of Engineering. He also attended, Christian Bible College of Kenner, Louisiana and Liberty University of Lynchburg, Va.  John accepted his calling to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ at the age of sixteen, in the year of 1981.  He was licensed in 1982, by the late Rev. G. R. Washington Sr., Guiding Light Baptist Church of New Orleans, Louisiana.  He was ordained by Bishop J. Charles Carrington Jr., the Full Gospel Christian Fellowship Organization.
 
He has held positions such as:
Sunday School Teacher
Spiritual Counselor
Youth Pastor
Evangelism Leader
And a host of other positions.
 
He is also an accomplished Recording Artist and travels across the country singing and ministering the word of God.  He has captured the full range of gospel music:
 
Traditional Gospel: 1989
Entitled: Truth and Life

Urban Gospel: 1991
Entitled: Jesus Son Of God

Contemporary Gospel: 1993
Entitled: Wondering

Gospel Jazz: 1996
Entitled: So Real

Gospel Jazz: 1997
Entitled: So Real The Sequel

Inspirational Gospel: 1999
Entitled: Simply John

Traditional Gospel: 2003
Entitled: He Can Supply

Inspirational Gospel: 2005
Entitled: THE TRIBUTE PhaseI

Gospel Jazz & R&B: 2006
Entitled: Between Phases
 
John Butler is no stranger to the stage, while performing what God has called him to do. He has appeared in such theatrical productions as Sing Me One More Song (produced by Chip Fields-1993) and Child Support(Produced/Written by David Payton-1997) It is not uncommon for him to be at the center of many articles written by musical giants.

Before he began performing with local jazz musician Larry Seals at a Silver Spring, Md., nightclub, the Rev. John Butler, like many preaching troubadours, always sang out to the rafters.  "They want power," said Butler, better known in gospel music circles as "The Minister," about his congregation's desire to hear his resounding, vocal riffs. "But you'll kill yourself with that power."  To save the singer's voice, Seals gave Butler the obvious advice.  He said, "You need to stop singing like there’s no tomorrow," said Butler, Founder of THE FELLOWSHIP, a true worship experience. 
 
The powerful vocals of John Butler, is a force to be reckoned with while receiving a great deal of attention from his peers. He has many winnings and nominations under his belt:
 
Search For The Stars-Entertainer of The Year. '91
Best Male Vocalist of The NCO Club.'92
Best Gospel Male Vocalist of The Year. '96 (Washington Area Music Association-WAMME)
Best Male Vocalist of the Year-Nomination.'97 (Washington Area Music Association-WAMME)
So Real Album of The Year-Nomination.'97 (Washington Area Music Association-WAMME)
He Can Supply; Artist of The Year-Nomination.'04