The American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin called Rev. Dr. John A. Jones IV as its Interim Regional Executive Minister. Jones will begin his service January 1, 2021.
“Dr. Jones is a faithful minister and educator deeply committed to the values and mission of our region,” said Fred Oaks, President of the ABC WI Board of Managers. “For four years he has served our region as Associate Regional Minister for Education, and he’s been teaching classes at CENTRAL Wisconsin CBTS since 2008. As a result, many of us have already experienced his ministry as a teacher, administrator, facilitator, consultant, and advisor. We are excited about the experience, knowledge, and commitment he brings to this important position.”
During the summer of 2020 Jones successfully assumed many of the duties of an Interim Regional Executive Minister while Regional Executive Minister Rev. Dr. Marie Onwubuariri enjoyed a sabbatical leave. In October, Onwubuariri resigned as Regional Executive Minister to accept a call to serve as Associate General Secretary of Mission Resource Development of the American Baptist Churches USA.
Jones earned a bachelors degree from Mercer University. He enjoyed a year at Regents Park College of Oxford University in England. He then earned the M.Div. degree at the Baptist House of Studies of Duke Divinity School and was ordained through his home church, Shirley Hills Baptist Church in Warner Robins, Georgia. In 1999, Jones moved to Milwaukee to begin a doctoral program in theology at Marquette University. He was awarded a PhD in 2006 after successfully defending his dissertation, The Costly Witness of the Church. Jones lives in Milwaukee with his wife Katherine Valentyn and two daughters.
“It is an honor to assume these new responsibilities,” said Dr. Jones. “The ABC of WI Region is a family of blessed and gifted diversity. I will seek to faithfully serve this family and its common mission, continuing the work of Dr. Onwubuariri as best I can whilst open to as yet unimagined possibilities.”
Regional Mission Statement: “ABC of WI is a fellowship of persons, churches and organizations drawn together in the love of God as known in Jesus Christ. We affirm our diversity of culture, gender, and theological perspectives as gifts for ministry. We covenant to share the gospel of Christ, encourage each other in our faith, and share our resources in witness and mission.”
The ABC WI Board of Managers will soon empower a search committee to identify and recommend a candidate for the role of settled Regional Executive Minister.