MEET OUR PASTOR

At age eighteen, the Lord called Dr. James E. Jones Jr. to preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His unique approach to ministry has transformed the lives of many. Dr. Jones’ humble upbringing began in the Deep Creek section of Chesapeake known as Camelot. He was born to Mary Jones-Turner and the late James E. Jones, Sr.

Dr. Jones’ career in ministry began during his college years as youth minister at Gethsemane Community Fellowship Baptist Church, Norfolk, Virginia. He later served as youth minister at Fifth Street Baptist Church, Richmond, Virginia. In 1998, he was called to be the Senior Pastor of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Lewiston-Woodville, North Carolina, where he served for nearly eight years. In June of 2006, Dr. Jones returned to Chesapeake to pastor the historic First Baptist Church West Munden.

Following God’s utterance, in August 2009 Dr. Jones embarked on a new journey, founding the Grace Fellowship Worship Center. In August 2017, the church was renamed to Greater Grace Church. God continues to bless Dr. Jones and the Greater Grace Partners through clear and concise examples of His faithfulness every Sunday morning and Tuesday evening.

On January 28, 2023, the members of the Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church once again called Dr. Jones to be their Senior Pastor. Dr. Jones’ second tenure as the seventeenth pastor of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church adds to the rich, established history of this branch of Zion as he is the only pastor twice called to this congregation. Currently, he dually pastors the congregations of Greater Grace Church and Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church.

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In addition to his earned Doctor of Ministry Degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, Dr. Jones’ extensive academic attainments include a Master of Science Degree in Leadership and Organizations from Anderson University, Anderson, South Carolina, Master of Divinity Degree from Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia, and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Norfolk State University, Norfolk, Virginia. As a result of his commitment to excellence in Christian
Education, community relations, and numerous humanitarian projects, St. Thomas Christian College bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree. Dr. Jones is currently pursing a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Public Theology and Community Engagement at Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia. In August 2018, Dr. Jones was elevated to the Office of Bishop and Overseer of the Greater Grace Church under the New Vision Worldwide Fellowship of Churches Kansas City, Missouri, consisting of 85 churches serving under the Prelate of Apostle Larry B. Aiken.

Dr. Jones is a published author of three dynamic books and has preached the gospel of Jesus Christ from some of the most recognized pulpits in our nation. He currently serves as Adjunct Professor at both Hampton University and The Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. Dr. Jones is the former Chaplain of the Gamma Xi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.

Notedly, of his many accolades, his most important and proudest roles are as husband to his beautiful wife, Lisa, father to his daughter Jaraé and sons, Christian and Justin, and grandfather to his grandson, Nadir Emmanuel, who affectionally calls him “Pop Pop”.

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