Since Sept. 8, Ricardo H. Jones has served as pastor of the Abundant Life Fellowship Church of God in Christ in Walthourville. This is his first time serving as sole pastor of a church, but he entered the ministry in 1987.
From 2006-08, Jones served as the assistant pastor of the Greater New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ in Millen. Before that, Jones served as a church administrator.
A native of Jamaica, West Indies, Jones first came to Hinesville in 1994 with the military. He spent 21 years in the service. While in Iraq in 2003, he assisted in conducting camp revivals to inspire the soldiers while assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division's Tactical Operation Cell.
Established in 2004 under the leadership of Pastor Richard Williams, the Abundant Life Fellowship Church has a small membership but is steadily growing, both spiritually and physically.
The church has a youth evangelism mission outreach and hospitality ministry.
“We are about kingdom ministry and fellowshipping with the people. Members of the church enjoy having fellowship dinners where everyone can come and enjoy,” Jones said.
At the church, an array of colorful flags are on display. “I have the flags to represent the nations of the world. We are about kingdom ministry. As part of the church vision, I know God will have us assisting in foreign mission,” he said.
“During the month of February, we had the daily bread — free soup and sandwiches. It was part of the Warm the Soul and Body Ministry. Brother Raymond Palmer and missionary Sandra Palmer assisted in this effort,” Jones said.
Pastor Jones credits several people with helping to shape his spiritual maturity. He said he met Roland Johnson, pastor of Greater Jerusalem, at a time in his life when he was thinking about getting married.
“The Lord used him to introduce me and my wife (Janet) to salvation. Pastor Johnson puts family first and has a powerful deliverance ministry.”
Evangelist Shirley Graham (a traveling evangelist and co-pastor of Holy Temple Church of God in Christ in South Toms River, N.J.) also helped me a lot. Through her, I learned the power and essence of prayer. I learned about fasting, tarrying, and helping someone get a breakthrough.
“Dr. James C. Boyer, Pastor, Friendly Church of God in Christ in Manhattan, Kansas, who is also a professor of African-American studies, taught me how to study and rightly divide the word of truth. He and his wife always assigned us homework in their Bible study and Sunday school,” Jones said. “Through him I learned discipline, studying, and loving God’s people. I learned that you never send the people home hungry when they come to fellowship. Feed them spiritually and physically.”
Jones also said he's thankful for Dr. Nancy Franklin, a minister assigned to the Abundant Life Fellowship. He said she's a great asset to him and the ministry.
“Dr. Franklin taught me to walk by faith. It is important to walk by faith. She is a visionary. I have known her since 1990 and God has allowed us to minister and encourage one another,” Jones said.
Jones has a bachelor’s degree in christian education.
In addition to his pastor duties, Jones works at the Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Fort Stewart as the academy administrator. He and his wife Janet live in Hinesville and have three children, Donte, Jevon and Jana. Pastor Jones loves creating and designing programs for churches. He also enjoys quiet time at the beach.
The Abundant Life Fellowship Church family invites the public to worship. Bible study is at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Sunday worship is at 11 a.m.
From 2006-08, Jones served as the assistant pastor of the Greater New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ in Millen. Before that, Jones served as a church administrator.
A native of Jamaica, West Indies, Jones first came to Hinesville in 1994 with the military. He spent 21 years in the service. While in Iraq in 2003, he assisted in conducting camp revivals to inspire the soldiers while assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division's Tactical Operation Cell.
Established in 2004 under the leadership of Pastor Richard Williams, the Abundant Life Fellowship Church has a small membership but is steadily growing, both spiritually and physically.
The church has a youth evangelism mission outreach and hospitality ministry.
“We are about kingdom ministry and fellowshipping with the people. Members of the church enjoy having fellowship dinners where everyone can come and enjoy,” Jones said.
At the church, an array of colorful flags are on display. “I have the flags to represent the nations of the world. We are about kingdom ministry. As part of the church vision, I know God will have us assisting in foreign mission,” he said.
“During the month of February, we had the daily bread — free soup and sandwiches. It was part of the Warm the Soul and Body Ministry. Brother Raymond Palmer and missionary Sandra Palmer assisted in this effort,” Jones said.
Pastor Jones credits several people with helping to shape his spiritual maturity. He said he met Roland Johnson, pastor of Greater Jerusalem, at a time in his life when he was thinking about getting married.
“The Lord used him to introduce me and my wife (Janet) to salvation. Pastor Johnson puts family first and has a powerful deliverance ministry.”
Evangelist Shirley Graham (a traveling evangelist and co-pastor of Holy Temple Church of God in Christ in South Toms River, N.J.) also helped me a lot. Through her, I learned the power and essence of prayer. I learned about fasting, tarrying, and helping someone get a breakthrough.
“Dr. James C. Boyer, Pastor, Friendly Church of God in Christ in Manhattan, Kansas, who is also a professor of African-American studies, taught me how to study and rightly divide the word of truth. He and his wife always assigned us homework in their Bible study and Sunday school,” Jones said. “Through him I learned discipline, studying, and loving God’s people. I learned that you never send the people home hungry when they come to fellowship. Feed them spiritually and physically.”
Jones also said he's thankful for Dr. Nancy Franklin, a minister assigned to the Abundant Life Fellowship. He said she's a great asset to him and the ministry.
“Dr. Franklin taught me to walk by faith. It is important to walk by faith. She is a visionary. I have known her since 1990 and God has allowed us to minister and encourage one another,” Jones said.
Jones has a bachelor’s degree in christian education.
In addition to his pastor duties, Jones works at the Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Fort Stewart as the academy administrator. He and his wife Janet live in Hinesville and have three children, Donte, Jevon and Jana. Pastor Jones loves creating and designing programs for churches. He also enjoys quiet time at the beach.
The Abundant Life Fellowship Church family invites the public to worship. Bible study is at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Sunday worship is at 11 a.m.