Music has always been an important part of Pastor Avery Jones’ life. By the time he was nine-years old, he had joined the church choir. By the time he was 16, he had become a choir director.
“I believe music is a powerful tool to draw those who may not be drawn [to church] by a traditional sermon,” said the pastor of Holy Spirit Ministries.
So, it was not a total surprise that 30 years ago, he would choose to minister through music by founding the South Florida community choir, the Spirit of Life Choir. The choir still performs to this day.
And although Jones enjoys a wide range of musical styles, he nonetheless sets a firm boundary about what is acceptable worship music.
“The music must have a message…that’s the difference between gospel music and secular music,” he explained. “Secular music has a great beat, but gospel music has a message that can heal, that can deliver.”
In 2011, Jones released “Tis So Sweet,” a contemporary gospel album.
Holy Spirit Ministries
In 1991, he founded the Holy Spirit Ministries, a non-denominational church in Liberty City.
With his passion for music, Jones’ church naturally supports a lively music ministry. However, the church also emphasizes its Outreach Ministry.
Pastor Avery Jones with wife, Queen Albertha.
“Many of our services take place outdoors where we put up a tent in our parking lot,” he explained. “We are a church without walls.”
Any passer by is welcomed to their services and Jones prefers not to make a distinction between formal members of the church and casual worshippers.
“I believe church membership goes beyond members. [God] told us to go make disciples,”
said Jones, who was inspired and learned from local ministers such as Rev. C.P. Preston, Bishop Victor Curry, and Mother Ruth Crockett.
When he’s behind the pulpit, Jones finds that he preaches the most about Jesus and relationships.
“I talk a lot about relationships because I have a very young congregation and I find that young people are very challenged with [relationships] financially and emotionally,” he said. “These are not new problems, but I find these issues are more magnified now because of the economy.”
The married father of two believes many of these issues could be alleviated if couples got to know each other better.
“It has to begin with a longer courtship, spending time to get to know the individual,” said Jones, who married his high school sweetheart after a seven year courtship.
By Kaila Heard
kheard@miamitimesonline.com
Natasha M
August 7, 2012 at 12:07 pm
Many pastors don’t understand how God uses different avenues to draw His people. Pastor Avery understands that all of us are individualized, but can come together for a common purpose- to uplift our Saviour. Relationships are a weakness in the youths today. I’m so glad that God sent an earthly messenger to help our youth.