VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 10/28/13)—Rev. Cheryl Jones of Somerset, New Jersey has been endorsed by American Baptist International Ministries (IM) to serve as a missionary at the Baptist Convention College in South Africa, partnering with the Baptist Convention of South Africa.
Rev. Jones was ordained by the American Baptist Churches in 2001 and served as an IM missionary from 2001-2005. Since 2005, she has been serving in South Africa and supported by her home church in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, the Cathedral International (Second Baptist) Church.
With this endorsement, Rev. Jones has been reinstated as an IM missionary and is looking forward to returning to South Africa. She will continue her ministry as a teacher and assist in administration at the Baptist Convention College in Soweto where men and women from southern Africa are equipped for Christian leadership.
Rev. Jones has been blessed with an adopted son, eight-year-old Andile. She met him more than seven years ago while volunteering at a Johannesburg, South Africa home for children. He is one of several million orphans whose life has been impacted by the AIDS pandemic in southern Africa. An energetic, insightful and curious boy, Andile will attend second grade in a U.S. school and then return to South Africa with his mother.
When asked why she feels called to this ministry, Rev. Jones responded, “The Lord led me to teach at this institution even before I became aware of an opening at IM. I sense an ideal fit with my gifts of teaching and service, and with my 12-year relationship with the people of South Africa and other African nations.”
She continued, “I look forward to equipping young and old, men and women who have a calling and purpose to serve the body of Christ through a variety of ministries; teaching spiritual and theological subjects with simplicity; and trying to model the practical application of Biblical principles.”
As an endorsed missionary, Rev. Jones will be working in the months ahead to build her Mission Partnership Network. She will be inviting individuals, groups and churches to partner with her by committing to share the spiritual, relational and financial support needed to continue her ministry in South Africa.
Please join IM in celebrating this new endorsement and praying for Rev. Jones as she invites others to join her in ministry. You may send words of encouragement and communicate directly with her at http://www.internationalministries.org/teams/640-jones. Emails may be sent directly to cheryl.jones@internationalministries.org.
American Baptist International Ministries is a Christian mission organization connecting U.S. churches and individuals to holistic ministries around the world. Organized in 1814, IM is the first Baptist mission agency formed in North America. It serves more than 1,800 short- and long-term missionaries annually, bringing U.S. and Puerto Rico churches together with partners in over 70 countries to share the good news of Jesus Christ in word and action.
American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.