Pastor’s Biography
Damone B. Jones, Sr., M.S., Senior Pastor
Bible Way Baptist Church
Damone B. Jones, Sr., is the youngest of three children born to the late Mr. and Mrs. Boykin Jones of West Philadelphia. Pastor Jones is a deeply devoted husband having been united to his very lovely wife Melissa in October of 1991. They are the very proud parents of four wonderful children: Aleah, Damone, Jr., Alyssa and Dominic.
Pastor Jones graduated from the Lamberton High School in June of 1984 and the RETS Electronic School in May of 1986. Pastor Jones’ early theological training includes Manna Bible Institute and The Center for Urban Theological Studies. Pastor Jones holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master’s degree from Philadelphia Biblical University in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Pastor Jones has completed his studies in the Doctor of Ministry Program at the Palmer Theological Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, and is scheduled to graduate in 2010.
Pastor Jones received Christ as Savior and Lord at the young age of sixteen years old. Being led by the Holy Spirit, he answered the call to the Gospel Ministry at eighteen years of age. On November 5, 1986, Pastor Jones was licensed to preach the Gospel by the late Dr. Hiawatha Coleman, the former Pastor of the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Philadelphia.
Having a tremendous burden for at-risk youth, Pastor Jones served at the Philadelphia Youth (Detention) Center as Coordinating Chaplain. Pastor Jones also served as a panelist for the District Attorney’s Youth Aid Panel and as President of the Police Clergy Program in the 19th Police District. Pastor Jones also served his community as a member of the Board of Directors for the Carroll Park Community Council. In 2001, Pastor Jones was appointed by Mayor John F. Street to the City of Philadelphia Board of Ethics and in 2006 Pastor Jones was appointed my Mayor Street to a Blue Ribbon Commission on Children’s Behavioral Health in the City of Philadelphia. In 2008, Pastor Jones was appointed by Mayor Michael Nutter to the Advisory Board of the Mayor’s Office of Community Services.
Deeply concerned for the reduction of crime in the community, Pastor Jones was the first President of the Organized Anti-Crime Community Network, which brought the first National Conference on Preventing Crime in the Black Community to Philadelphia. Pastor Jones spends significant time collaborating with the Police Commissioner and the District Attorney advocating for young people in court. As a trusted community leader, Pastor Jones has assisted and accompanied four homicide fugitives in turning themselves in to the authorities. Under Pastor Jones’ leadership, Bible Way Baptist Church became an approved Community Service Site for the Philadelphia Departments of Adult and Juvenile Probation.
Pastor Jones has worked diligently to bring educational resources to the community by serving on the boards of Carson Valley School, Raising Horizons Quest Charter School, The West Philadelphia Regional Branch of Community College of Philadelphia and The Christian Academy in Brookhaven, Pennsylvania.
After obediently heeding God’s call to the Pastorate of the Bible Way Baptist Church in West Philadelphia, Pastor Jones was ordained on November 5, 1993 at the Mount Zion Baptist Church. Pastor Jones is a much sought after preacher, lecturer and teacher. Pastor Jones has trained Deacons at a number of local churches and done numerous workshops and seminars in the areas of Men’s Ministries, Youth Ministries, and his personal favorite: How to Connect with At-Risk Youth. Pastor Jones has guest lectured at Eastern University, Temple University, Philadelphia Biblical University and Palmer Theological Seminary. Pastor Jones is also an Adjunct Professor at The Center for Urban Theological Studies (Geneva College) where he teaches pastors pursuing bachelor’s degrees.
Pastor Jones is a member of The National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., The Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention, The Missionary Baptist Pastor’s Conference, The Black Clergy of Philadelphia, and he is currently the Vice Moderator-at-Large of the Pennsylvania Eastern Keystone Baptist Association.
The Bible Way Baptist Church membership has more than tripled under Pastor Jones’ leadership and more than forty-one active ministries have been implemented to serve the diverse needs of the church and community and the church continues on a steady path of substantive growth. Pastor Jones is also very proud of his seven spiritual sons in the ministry who began pastoring their own churches under his leadership.
Rev. 04/08
A Few of Pastor Jones’ Accomplishments
First woman licensed (Rosemarie Stephanie Hammond (March 2007)
Pulpit area remodled/sanctuary re-carpeted
Pews reupholstered
New sound system
New Podium
Front steps replaced
Foyer renovated
Balcony redesigned
Children’s Church added (Lady M)
Women’s Retreat (Lady M)
Women’s Discipleship (Lady M)
Clergy Development Institute implemented
Eta implemented
Tuesday Feeding of Hungry instituted
Exterior doors replaced
Air conditioning system replaced
Kitchen and bathrooms renovated
Kershaw Street Office Building purchased from local chiropractor
1400 block of 52nd Street (front parcel) purchased
Men’s Retreat implemented
Dedicated Gaither Fellowship Hall in memory of founder
Instituted Gaither Servant of the Year Award
Instituted Dea. Robert L. Anderson Distinguished Service Award
Instituted Timothy Award
Increased College scholarship aid to $1000 per student going to college
Spiritual Praise Dancers
M.O.M.s
Human Resources Ministry
Computer Ministries
A.C.T.S. Inc.
Marriage Enrichment
Single’s/Single Parent’s Ministry
New Member’s Ministry
Youth Uplift Mentoring Ministry
Seasoned Saints
Comfort Ministry
Hope Ministry (Social Services)
Focus Ministry
Recovery Ministry
College & Career Ministry
Pantomime Ministry
Youth Culinary Instructors
Sports & Athletics
Youth Council
Young Men of Integrity
Young Ladies of Excellence
Security Ministry
Senior Pastor’s Armor Bearers
Community Service Program
Deacons ordained?
Ministers licensed?
Ministers ordained?
Church Community Cook-Out
Counseling Ministry
Church Wedding Coordinator
Pastor Jones’ SONS IN THE MINISTRY (History)
Licensed:
Clarence Washington
Bernard Downing
Robert N. Rodgers, Jr.
James C. Jackson
Robert J. Fontell, Jr.
RoseMarie Stephane Hammond (First female licensed)
Khalil B. Rogers
Vizetta Johnson (Evangelist)
Gregory Barber (Evangelist)
Carole Combs (Evangelist)
Ordained:
Clarence J. Washington
Raymond Harris, Jr.
Gregory A Johnson
William A. Davis
Osborne Walker
Robert N. Rodgers, Jr.
Willie F. Singletary
Robert J. Fontell, Jr.
Installed:
George H. Smith – Mt Zion Wiles Barre, PA/Ebenezer Newburgh, NY
Clarence J. Washington – Millennium BC
Gregory A. Johnson – Greater St. Matthews Independent Church
Raymond Harris, Jr. – Christ Tabernacle Baptist Church
Joe E. Nock – Second Antioch Baptist Church
Willie F. Singletary – City of Refuge Church
Robert J. Fontell, Jr. – The Calvary Baptist Church
Licensed and ordained and installed
Clarence Washington, Millennium Baptist Church
Robert J. Fontell, Jr., The Calvary Baptist Church
Ordained and installed
Gregory A. Johnson, Greater St. Matthews Independent Church
Raymond Harris, Jr., Christ Tabernacle Baptist Church
Willie F. Singletary,
Joe E. Nock, Second Antioch Baptist Church
Licensed and ordained
Robert N. Rodgers, Jr.
Installed
George H. Smith, Mt Zion Baptist Church, Wilkes Barre, PA/Ebenezer Baptist Church, Newburg, NY
Ordained
William A. Davis, Sr.
Osborne Walker
Licensed
Bernard Downing
James Clifford Jackson
Rosemarie Stephanie Hammond
Khalil Rogers