Meet our Staff
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- Written by Steven Sgroi
Getting to know Senior Pastor Kelvin Jones
Beginnings
Kelvin Jones was born in North Hornell, New York, the eldest child of Wendell and Dorothy Jones. He grew up on a dairy farm near Haskinville, NY, and his family attended regularly at Haskinville Wesleyan Church. Through his Christian parents and the church, Kelvin learned early to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. In junior/senior high school he began a journey into leadership, being elected class president several times.
College and the Military
After High School it was off to college at the University of Rochester, Rochester, New York where he majored in physics and graduated with a B. S. During his college years he met JoAnne at a root beer stand after a Youth for Christ rally in Kanona, NY. They were married in 1970. But those were draft lottery days and Kelvin's number was low. So he joined the Navy. From 1971-1974, Kelvin served, rising while on active duty to the rank of Ltjg. He served in communications management at the Mediterranean Communications Area Master Station (CAMS), which was responsible for day-to-day radio communications management for the entire Sixth Fleet. It was accompanied duty and the Joneses enjoyed their time living in Morocco where the station was located.
More schooling
Upon returning to civiilian life, both Kelvin and Joanne returned to college at Houghton College; JoAnne to finish her Bachelor's in Music and Kelvin to study Bible, philosophy and Christian education. It was a crucual turn in the career altering journey that led him into ministry. By the end of that two years, Kelvin felt called to ministry and the young couple made plans to attend seminary at Asbury near Lexington, Ky. Soon after they arrived in Kentucky, their only child, Keely, was born.
Called to pastor
After graduation from Seminary with his M. Div. in 1979, Pastor Kelvin received a call to pastor Bentley Creek Wesleyan Church, in Bentley Creek Pennsylvania. He accepted and the Joneses served that church for 12 years until coming to Kirkville in 1991. Near the end of his service at Bentley Creek, Pastor Kelvin earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University in Madison NJ.