December 7, 2024
COLUMBUS, Ga. — Dr. Tim Jones, pastor of Britt David Baptist Church in Columbus for 24 years, has been called to serve as the associational missionary of the Columbus Baptist Association following Jimmy Blanton, who served the same association for almost three decades.
Jones is a highly respected Baptist pastor, loved by his church and his fellow pastors in the Columbus area. Ed Kvietkus, pastor of Rose Hill Baptist Church and chairman of the CBA search committee, commented, “Every step of our process was rooted in prayer, asking our gracious Lord to lead us to the man who was right for this time in our associational work.”
Kvietkus continued, “The nine men on our search team sought God’s leadership and made a covenant to be united in the decisions we made. Dr. Tim Jones won our hearts almost from the beginning of the process. We were aware of his faithful allegiance to the Word of God, his commitment to mission work locally and around the world, and his loving approach to reaching the lost. We all became convinced that he was the one that the Lord had been preparing for this work for a very long time.
“It is amazing to see how the Lord prepares us and then fulfills His will for our lives. Our association has also given Dr. Jones its unanimous affirmation. Hallelujah!”
Blanton praised the committee for its work, saying, “The Columbus Baptist Association received a special gift from the Lord and Dr. Tim Jones comes to serve as our associational missionary. Tim will bring extraordinary leadership with an evangelistic and missional heart. I have no doubt that the CBA will reach great heights under his leadership.”
Jerry Speer, pastor of Northside Baptist Church and member of the CBA search team, reported, “It has been my privilege to pastor in the same association with Tim Jones for the past 25 years. I have been excited to see how Tim has successfully led his church in renewal. I can honestly say that Tim has a servant's heart and has served his church, the association, state, and national conventions exceptionally well. He has always been mission-driven, and for several years, he has led our Association's mission partnerships.
“I have long thought God had something special for Tim and Deena,” remarked Speer “When Jimmy Blanton, the greatest associational missionary I have ever known, began to speak of retiring, I thought of Tim. Now, God has made this a reality.”
Jones, a native of Columbus, has a B.A. from Columbus College, and an MDIV and DMin from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tenn. He was ordained by Gentian Baptist Church in Columbus in 1989 and pastored Highland Baptist Church in Griffin, Ga., from 1992 to 2000 before being called to Britt David Baptist Church. Tim’s wife is Deena and the Jones’ have two adult children, Alex and Julianna.
Jerry Speer, added, “Tim and his wife Deena have a wonderful family and have raised children who are committed to Jesus. I have long thought God had something special for Tim and Deena. I believe Tim and Deena Jones will guide our association, comfort and guide our pastors, staffs, and their spouses, and not only continue the great work but expand it to the glory of God.”
Jones admitted that the transition from being a pastor to becoming an associational missionary was difficult initially. “I felt like I was receiving a demotion,” he said, “because I have always believed that being a pastor is God’s highest calling. I found it challenging to accept the transition from being a pastor to becoming an associational missionary.
“In fact, at first, I just didn’t want to do it.” Jones reasoned, “I love my Britt David Baptist Church family and would have been thrilled to have finished my ministry there. However, I knew that God was calling me to the new missionary work. I was both excited and terrified, but God convicted my heart when I read and applied John 6:20 to this new calling. That is where Jesus walked on the sea in the night and calmed the anxiety of the disciples, saying, ‘It is I. Do not be afraid’.
“God is in this, and I sense His presence and direction. Therefore, being terrified can no longer be an option for me.”
Jones continued, “I remember in seminary a representative from the Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board) spoke in chapel, calling out the called. I responded to that invitation and was open to go anywhere God would send me but sending me to be a missionary in my hometown was a thorough surprise. However, I can see how God has been preparing me to be a pastoral missionary for thirty-five years.”
Jones has been known as a man of prayer for a long time and he will make that the priority of his ministry with the association. He explained, “Private prayer, partnered prayer, and public prayer are all essential to what we will do in the Columbus Baptist Association. I already have one-on-one prayer partnerships with local pastors, and I would love to have that kind of prayer relationship with every pastor in our association.”
The Ark-in-the-Park (AITP) has been an outreach extravaganza for Britt David Baptist Church for many years. This year (the 25th year) this enormous event attracted nearly 11,000 people with over 200 professions of faith.
Jones remarked, “I look forward to helping other churches replicate something similar (to Ark-in-the-Park) in their area. I want to help our churches work together in associational projects to reach all of Columbus. Britt David was already helping three other churches with their own events and ten churches came and worked with us at AITP.
“I know we can work together to make a difference. The last eight words of Philippians 1:27 spell out what I believe about associational missions – we are “striving together for the faith of the gospel.”
Perhaps the most important thing an associational missionary can do is support and encourage the pastors of his association.
Jones agreed and commented, “I want to be each pastor’s partner in ministry. I never want them to feel alone or isolated. Each one needs to know that because God has called them to pastor their church, He can use them to make a greater impact than they ever imagined, because ‘our God can do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask of think’” (Ephesians 3:20).
While Jones admitted that he is in a position of “blessed ignorance” and doesn’t know everything that will be required of him, he confidently declared, “I long to see Columbus become the epicenter for revival in our churches and the catalyst for spiritual awakening in West Georgia.”
