OUR FOUNDERS
Dr. Mary Lee Austin Jones
1947 - 2005
"I CHOOSE TO BE WHO I AM AND WHAT I AM"
On April 30, 1976, Dr. Mary Austin Jones chose to obey the Word of God, "In the day that you hear my voice, harden not your heart." This day was the dawn of a new day. This day was the day that the Dr. Mary Austin Jones chose to accept Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and became a Born-Again, Holy Ghost-filled believer. She immediately began to witness and testify of God's goodness.
At the time of her salvation, Dr. Mary Austin Jones was a faithful member of New Palmer Grove Baptist Church. Having been led by God, she became a member of Paxon Revival Center, under the leadership of Rev. Jimmie Dobbs. Dr. Jones began prayer services in her home, establishing the foundation with the writing on her living room wall, "Praise Ye, The Lord of Host."
Rev. Jimmie Dobbs ordained Dr. Jones a minister of the Gospel on December 12, 1977. God spoke to Dr. Jones and told her to get a church charter. Dr. Jones, being led by the Spirit of God, began the We're For Jesus House of Prayer in 1980, in her living room. She later renovated her garage into a chapel annexed to her home.
Continuing her quest to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to reach the lost, Dr. Jones organized and faciliated the "Change from Dope to Hope (Destroying Our People Entirely) to (Helping Our People Eternally)" campaign. On April 2, 1988, a citywide rally was held at Gateway Mall, in the city of Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Jones received numerous awards of recognition for her untiring efforts, which included God's Determined Soldier, Who's Who in American Christian Leadership, and the Mayor of the Jacksonville, FL presented her with the Key to the City.
The Spiritual Encounter which is mailed to homes throughout the United States and abroad. The outreach ministry of We're For Jesus has taken Dr. Jones to Africa, Alaska, Germany, Turkey, Canada, Hawaii, Holland, Israel and Russia. In addition, she traveled to numerous parts of Alabama, California, the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, and Washington. While visiting The Holy Land (Israel), Dr. Jones was afforded the opportunity to baptizing Polish and Christian believers in the famous Jordan River and preached on the Sea of Galilee in a large boat.
Dr. Jones operated in the five-fold minstry gifts, as an Apostle, Pastor, Prophet, Evangelist and Teacher. She was a prayerful and financial supporter of foreign and local ministeries, including a foreign radio station and orphanage in Brazil. She was a firm believer in the Word of God as it is written in Romans 13:8 and Matthew 25:21 respectively, "Owe no man anything, but to love one another..." and ..."I will make thee ruler over many things."
Although Dr. Jones was blessed high and above measure, her real joy was not in the things that perish, but in the many people who have been saved, healed, delivered, filled with the Holy Ghost, and encouraged to live a victorious life in Christ Jesus through the ministry of We're For Jesus. Dr. Jones was a 1964 graduate of Matthew Gilbert High School, also studied at Florida Community College at Jacksonville and Oral Roberts University. In 1988, she received an Honorary Doctorate of Sacred Scriptures from United Christian College in New York.
On February 25, 2005, Dr. Jones went on to be with the Lord, but left a mighty charge to the followers of Christ.
"Obey God; Serve Him wholeheartedly; Love Ye One Another; Preach the Word; Be Instant In Season and Out of Season; Be a Witness of the Power of God; Make New Disciples."
APOSTLE DR. ROBERT L. JONES
1939-2012
Reflections of Life
You saw my glory, but you haven’t heard my story
“My Faith Walk With God”
Apostle Dr. Robert Lee Jones, the son of the late Henry and Mary Jones, was born in Alabama. His mother taught him the ways of the Lord at an early age. She spoke positive words over her family situations. When the meal barrel was low, Dr. Jones shared with us that she would say, “Everything is gonna be alright.”
Dr. Jones met and married Mary Lee Austin in 1964 and was married 40 years. To this union was born three beautiful children, Toris, Tawanna and Israel. This union was also blessed with seven grandchildren and one great-grand.
After the death of Dr. Mary Austin Jones (Founder of We’re For Jesus House of Prayer), Dr. Robert Jones married “Ms. C.” (Cornelia Bryant ) in 2006. Ms. C. has a daughter and two grandchildren.
After leaving Alabama and serving in the United States Army, Dr. Jones
furthered his education at Florida Junior College of Jacksonville and graduated with an Associate in Arts degree in 1975. After completing the police officers academy at FJC, he was employed by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office as a police officer (“Treetop Jones”) and served as a Bailiff three years in court room #7, of the Duval County Courthouse. He retired after many years of dedicated service.
In 1952, Dr. Jones accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of his life and became a born-again, Holy Ghost-filled believer. He joined New Palmer Grove Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He also attended Paxon Revival Center, under the leadership of the late Rev. Jimmie Dobbs.
In January 1977, Dr. Mary A. Jones began a prayer service in their home on Chivalry Drive in Jacksonville, FL. In 1980, they established the “We’re For Jesus House of Prayer.
God revealed Himself through a dream mandating the call of God upon his life. In the dream he heard—“Pour water on the dry bone”. He surrendered to the Lord and was ordained an Elder at We’re for Jesus House of Prayer in 1980. His first sermon and last sermon on May 6, 2012 referenced Ezekiel 37:1-10.
New King James Version (NKJV)
37 The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”
4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I amthe Lord.”’”
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.
9 Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”’” 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
He was affectionately known as “Hurricane Jones.” The name “Hurricane Jones” was coined by his powerful anointing and preaching style that destroyed yokes in the lives of God’s people.
In 1988, Dr. Robert Jones received and Honorary Doctorate of Sacred Scriptures from United Christian College, Inc. New York, New York.
In 2005, Dr. Robert L. Jones took on the helm of leadership of We’re For Jesus Ministry (Senior Pastor) and Pastor of the Westside Church ( Lenox Avenue).
God encapsulated Dr. Jones with His love, Wisdom, Knowledge and understanding.
In 2006, Dr. Jones was ordained an Apostle by Dr. David Rosier, the Pastor of Fellowship Church of Praise, Panama City, Florida.
The end of the day came for Apostle Dr. Robert L. Jones on May 18, 2012, and Jesus who promised to be with him to the end was waiting to carry him to his final resting place.
Life is but a stopping place,a pause in what's to be,A resting place along the road,to sweet eternity.We all have different journeys, different paths along the way,We all were meant to learn some things,but never meant to stay...Our destination is a place,far greater than we know.For some the journey's quicker,for some the journey's slow.And when the journey finally ends,we'll claim a great reward,And find an everlasting peace,together with the Lord.