Looking back.....

What a year 2010 was for my family and I! One year ago I had just finished my toughest Christmas at Walmart yet. I knew that God had called me to the ministry, but it seemed that it would not happen any time soon. It seemed that there was no light at the "end of the tunnel". Well.... God has truly moved in our lives! He opened a door that I did not think existed. It was a tough transition to Associate Pastor / breadman, but very worth it. Here are just a few ministry highlights:

Seeing many souls saved at Church Hill Baptist and other locations. One soul saved is something great to shout about, but seeing dozens saved (and having opportunity to lead some myself) is worthy of having a "Bapticostal Fit"! Glory to God!

The chance to preach multiple times at Church Hill Baptist, Bible Baptist in Unity, Tri-Town Baptist in East Millinocket, and Barter's Island Baptist Church in Trevett.

Participating in the filming of a Baptist History documetary "Drops of Morning Dew" produced by Pastor Ryan McGuire from Bluestone Baptist Church in Clarksville, Virginia.

Found out that I have two Baptist preachers in my lineage. The church that I attended in my youth was once pastored by George Jenkins, my great-great-great grandfather. The Rev. Nathaniel Jenkins was also a famous Baptist from the late 1600s to mid 1700s in New Jersey.

Witnessing the chartering service of Bible Baptist Church in Unity, Maine! What a blessed event!

Celebrating the 10 year anniversary of Church Hill Baptist!

Paricipating in the first classes ever offered at Heritage Baptist Bible College!

Getting the chance to work with my best friend and mentor, Pastor James Wiley.

Getting to know some of the great men of God from around the corner and around the country.

Seeing God's hand provide in ways that we would never expect. My church family at Church Hill Baptist deserve a special shout out for the generosity. Wow! From the "pounding" to the Bible and gift cards to the money gift.... Thank you soooo much.

Hearing great preaching from Pastor James Wiley, Pastor Todd Bell, Pastor Ron Caudill, Pastor Cal Fuller, Pastor Scott Caudle, Pastor Jeff Faggart, Pastor Ryan McGuire, Pastor Carl Barnard, Pastor Nathan Pelkey, Pastor Josh Lovelace, Brother Michael Britt, Brother Gary Partridge...... If I missed someone, please let me know!

What a blessing it is serve the Lord of Lords and King of Kings! 2010 was a great year.... I can't wait to see what 2011 holds!

Merry Christmas from the Jones family!

December 15, 2010

I can not believe that it is only 10 days from Christmas. Wow, how the year has flown by. I look back on the last number of Christmas seasons and reflect on how good God has been to the Jones family. Last year at this time I was co manager of the busiest Walmart store in the northeast USA. I was totally ready for Christmas to be over. I tried very hard to ensure that I was mentally and spiritually "there" for my family when I needed to be, but that was a rare moment in the Christmas season at Walmart. This year we are celebrating. I am actually home much more than I have been in many years. We may not have as many gifts under the tree as years past, but even the kids have said that they are just happy to have me home more. I know that seems like a very carnal reason to shout about, but God intends fathers to be a vital part of the family life. I praise God that He has allowed me to get to know my family again!
I have had opportunity to preach for the last three weeks at the Barter's Island Baptist Church. What a blessing that has been for me as God has allowed me to preach a couple of sermon series. Usually when I am preaching it is for a "one time deal" to fill in. I praise the LORD for all opportunities to open up my King James Bible and preach, but it has been very exciting to preach through books and topics. Please pray for the Jones family as we minister to the folks at Barter's Island Baptist Church and Church Hill Baptist Church. The next few weeks will be important weeks for the Jones family as we seek the Lord's will.
Can I just ask you one question: what are you planning to do for your pastor this Christmas season? Just think of what an encouragement just a card with an encouraging note would be.

Exciting weeks to come!!!

God is so good! I know I don't really have to say that, we all know that, but God truly is so good to me! I don't deserve it, I have done nothing to merit it, but God is sooooo good!
What a great Thanksgiving the Jones family had. It was fantastic to enjoy the day with my family.
This weekend is a busy one at Church Hill Baptist Church. We have the men's prayer breakfast at 7:30 on Saturday morning. Saturday morning soul-winning and visitation is next at 9 am. Saturday night is the annual Christmas Banquet.
Sunday services will be exciting with a few baptisms happening. Praise God for obedient believers following the Lord in believers baptism. At 2pm Sunday afternoon Truth Baptist Church will be holding a baptismal service.
The Choir is singing, the kids are practicing their Christmas program, Ladies ensamble is practicing and singing..... busy times! Ohhhhh how wonderful it is to be busy in the work of the LORD of LORDS and KING of KINGS!

I will be filling in for the next few weeks at Barter's Island Baptist Church. I look forward to preaching the Word of God to these precious folks! Last week I started three sermon series. In Sunday School we are tracing Bible characters to whom God has called out as people close to him. Last week it was "Daniel, a man greatly beloved.". This week it is "Abraham, friend of God". Why have these men been given these titles by God? What is it about their life that stirred God to make these profound declarations?
In the Sunday morning services we are studying our way through the book of Nehemiah. Last week we preached through the entire of chapter 1, setting the stage for the rest of the book and for the "building of the walls". God has slowed me down through chapter two and I see at least seven messages from this chapter alone. Sunday it will be Nehemiah 2:1-2 and Nehemiah's life of praise. This all fits in under the umbrella of rebuilding the walls. I would dare say that we all have some walls that need rebuilding. Perhaps the entire wall has not fallen, but there is some rebuilding that must be done. Maybe there is a relationship that has broken down, maybe some of those high standards have started to deteriorate? (Cut out meddeling I can hear you saying....) My heart is stirred as I think of Barter's Island Baptist Church rebuilding their "walls". Oh, may the LORD give us insight on what walls are fallen down in our own lives.
Sunday nights I began preaching a short series meant to encourage the believer. "Can God" is the title. This week it will be "Can God really meet your needs?" We have a head knowledge that the answer is "yes" but do we really believe it?

It is great to be busy in the LORD's work! My soul is stirred up and I can not wait to see what is around the corner!
Shouting for Jesus!

I am so thankful!

God is good all the time! Isn't it true that we sometimes forget to stop and think on how good God has been to us? It sometimes takes Thanksgiving to remind us to thank the Lord for his blessings. That should not be so. I am as guilty as anybody else in that regard. I am thankful for so much..... here's just a small list:
The Lord saved my wretched soul! (shouting!!!!!)
The Lord gave us the King James Bible, His very Word!
The Lord gave me a great wife and entrusted with two awesome kids!
The Lord put me in the greatest church in the world! (Thank you Church Hill Baptist!)
The Lord gave me a pastor who is a true friend and mentor. (Thank you Pastor Wiley)
The Lord gave me a very Godly heritage!
The Lord called me into the ministry!!!!!!!!!!
The Lord desires to use somebody like me (I still can't get over that)
The Lord gave me a tremendous extended family.
The Lord gave me some of the greatest friends one could ever have.
The Lord gave me hands and feet that work, a brain that functions (well, most of the time) and the ability to work to earn a living.
The Lord gave me a warm house to sleep in and food on the table.
The Lord allowed me to be born in America, the greatest country in the world!
The Lord gave us soldiers that have fought for our country ever since it's founding. Many of these soldiers have bled and died for our freedom.
The Lord allowed me to be called to Maine, the state I love.
The Lord allows me to come boldly to the throne of grace whenever I like.
The Lord gave us 1 John 1:9.
Gotta stop now. I need to go pray and thank Him for how good He is!
Let us never get over how good God is to us