Women Who Inspire: Donna Jones
When I asked a group of our writers if they had anyone they’d like to nominate for our, then new, column, “Women Who Inspire,” Cyndi Kay Green was quick to nominate her pastor’s wife, Donna Jones. I have gotten to know more about Donna through this interview process and I have to agree with Cyndi, Donna truly is an inspiration! I’m sure through after reading her thoughtful answers to my questions, you will agree.
Stephanie Kelley: Please tell us a little about you and your position within your church.
Donna Jones: My name is Donna Jones, I come from a family of 6 girls. where we grew up in a small town in Oklahoma. I was a cheerleader for several years and am now getting ready to have our 50th high school class reunion with about 50 other classmates this summer. (..hard to believe)….. I had 6 years perfect attendance in the Sunday school I attended at my parents church when I was young, but they did not give salvation invitations. I went to a revival in a Baptist church in Jr. High (because of the cute boys going there) and heard the Pastor say “Jesus is knocking on the door, will you let Him in?” First time I had heard those words. I was married at 18 right out of high school and had 3 children. .I had not been living for the Lord during this time and found myself divorced after 13 years of marriage at age 31, because we both were not in church or living for the Lord,.
I started searching at this time in my life to find purpose, forgiveness, acceptance and not continue in a party lifestyle again. I had my flower shop I had opened in 1978, which kept me really busy along with raising 3 children. During this time of soul searching I was actively searching for a church I could spiritually grow in. I met Jay, who was single, the Pastor and also a teacher in the Bible School I started attending. We were married a year later, and ten years after that we had a son. My tubes had been tied, burned and scared the Dr told my husband after the surgery. We had gone to a Christian doctor in Texas called “renewed blessings” where they told us they would not know anything til I went into surgery. What should have taken an hour surgery, ended up several hours, and came out and told my husband “I don’t see how she can get pregnant with those tubes but we will leave it in God’s hands. 3 months later I was 40 and pregnant. I believed at the time that if I did my part God would come through, and He did!! We named our son “Aaron” which means gift of God…
My husband, Jay and I have pastored for 35 years. I have been a children’s pastor for the past 30 years, but am now developing teams to teach 1-5th grade instead of me. I am also a prison chaplain for the ladies at our Detention center, which is so rewarding- the girls in prison are so in need of the love of God, forgiveness then realizing that God loves them right where they are and He wants a good life for them and their children. So many really want a new life, and not return to their old lifestyle…. I work as a Volunteer coordinator for a benevolence warehouse, where we hand out food and clothing to those in need. I coordinate the other church teams to also be a part of this ministry to our town. Our church helps also at a Day Center where we serve lunch 7 days a week. We believe in outreach in our community first comes by meeting physical needs, and then we get to minister to their spiritual needs.
SK: Please, give us a brief testimony.
DJ: The way I met my husband who was the Pastor of this small church I had been attending is pretty cool. I was just soaking in the word because he was a great teacher and I was learning so much. I had decided I should start tithing. I hadn’t taken a salary since I was self employed at my flower shop, so I decided to write a check for 55.00 because my dad was 55 years old that day. .The church ended up not taking up an offering, but afterwards someone stood up and said they were starting a Bible School at the church. 50 dollars with a 5.00 enrollment fee…My husband now says I got him for $55.00…After 26 years owning the Flower Shop I sold it to go into full time ministry with my husband.
SK: What do you think is the biggest challenge for today’s pastors’ wives?
DJ: In churches less than 200 we, as pastor’s wives usually take on whatever needs to be done. Kids church, women’s ministry, husband helper, worship leaders (although I can’t sing well so not that for me,) fellowship dinner planners, counselors, prayer team…you name it. Finding the time for trusting friendships with other woman to share life with and be real – finding those who can speak into your life as well as you into theirs is hard at first. Be transparent and real, because it took me a long time to realize I didn’t have to be perfect. That’s why we need Jesus.
SK: Obviously the church has had to adapt to help control the COVID-19 pandemic. What positive consequences do you see coming out of this pandemic and how will that change the way we have church in the future?
DJ: We have always wanted to either go live or post a video of the service on line, instead of only voice recordings on the website.. We thought you had to have all this expensive equipment, but turns out you can use your phone and make some great services. We launched our first this past March. A few hitches, but we got it figured out. We had people who came online who we haven’t seen in months at church and then those who moved away ,that we had pastored 25 years ago.. We also use young college students who know so much about the procedure and walked us old folks thru stuff we weren’t comfortable with… We can now produce our video for the website to be viewed at anytime I did my first online video teaching kids this past week. I was amazed it actually got almost 600 views, just think of the kids we were reaching once we stepped out of our comfort zone. Change happens when you do that… —we also will be more intent, more caring, less busy, so we can be checking in on people, especially the elderly or shut ins. I slowed down this week and asked two people if they were OK? They both started crying…People are stressed…
SK: What will be the biggest challenge that your church, and churches in general, will face when the COVID-19 pandemic is finally over?
DJ: We were going to launch two services this past March and instead had to go online. Getting people back in church and not get too comfortable on their couch in their pajamas eating biscuits and watching church services Showing up in the flesh, face to face to serve, be used by God to minister to those around them, find their purpose and gifts God has given them to equip the body of Christ. Helping each of us see we need the assembly of togetherness to get filled- up, encouraged, built up, freed from burdens and limitations and then each of us going outside the “church walls” and Be the Church showing others they can live the Abundant Life right now.
SK: What advise would you give to a woman who is just beginning her journey as a pastor’s wife?
DJ: Find a Peter and a Paul..A Godly mature Titus 2 woman you trust who can pour into your life and answer questions and encourage you and mentor you. Then you find one or a few to pour into others . Life groups have really helped me, and other women to bond and lift each other up and be real.. You are the best you! God made you unique and different than anyone else. Don’t compare, God has a ministry that only you can fulfill. Confidence comes in prayer, ask God to show you each day His mission for you…Our church serves because we model servanthood to our community. Be the first to lead where you want them to follow. Be your husband’s best cheerleader…even when he doesn’t deserve it.
SK: When you’re feeling stressed, how do you like to unwind?
DJ: Prayer and the word of course, but I also love our NBA team Oklahoma “Thunder” basketball to watch and also the college team OU football. I also like to read a good book or walk the dog. I love helping others though, it gets your mind off of that “oh me” attitude….
Thank you, Donna, for your thoughtful answers and your years of service to the Lord and his people.
