Pastor
Michael Jones has a great enthusiasm for God's word and
people. His commitment is exemplified through service
and by living the principle based on "the least of
these." At the heart of this principle is the belief
that God can take the life of those counted out, the
oppressed, the overlooked and by His grace change lives
and raise a standard allowing them to walk in a new way
of life. Pastor Michael Jones has made a significant
impact in the greater Saint Louis metropolitan area by
challenging the church body to reach the young and old.
He serves as the Senior Pastor of Friendly Temple
Missionary Baptist Church where his focus on the
preservation of the community is deeply rooted in
Biblical principles for which scripture is written.
Pastor Jones received his undergraduate degree in
Business Administration with minors in marketing and
management. He later attended Covenant Theological
Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri where he received a
Master of Arts degree in General Theological Studies.
Following completion of academic studies, he accepted
the call to ministry in September 1979 serving as
associate pastor and administrator under to leadership
of his grandfather, Reverend Robert Fulton Davis. In
1994, he was petitioned to succeed his late grandfather
in ministry and lead the members of Friendly Temple
Missionary Baptist Church as Senior Pastor.
His
method extends beyond the traditional walls of the
church, which has led to the revitalization and
development of a community at large. In addition, he has
inspired and encouraged the disciples to serve in a
number of ministries designed with the purpose of
community outreach. Through ministries including
clothing, food pantry, youth development, legal and
Christian counseling, members are able to take the
teachings of the Gospel and affect the lives of people.
In an effort to provide an avenue to further
meet the needs of the community, Pastor Jones created
and serves as Board Chairman of the Robert Fulton
Community Development Corporation and the Friendly
Community Housing Corporation. The housing corporation
is a non-profit organization which offers 110 apartments
to provide supportive living accommodations for senior
citizens. Pastor Jones states 'we believe the church
should impact its community and influence the culture of
its' time and age. Wherever the church is there should
be a regeneration of those who come in contact with it.
The Gospel is a message of change, therefore our focus
is to evangelize the community be exemplifying the
powerful presence of God in the lives of disciples which
will help to transform a community, city, country and
the world.'
Pastor Jones has studied extensively
abroad in Rome, France, Switzerland and Jerusalem. In
addition to serving the congregation at Friendly Temple
Missionary Baptist Church and the surrounding community,
he serves on several boards of directors which provide
essential public services to those in need.
Family
Pastor Jones and his wife, Phyllis, are
the proud parents of three children: Kawonza, Michael
and Joshua. The family resides in Ferguson, Missouri.