Bishop Jones was ordained by the late Bishop Calvin Davis, Sr. in Oakland, California at Pentecostal Way of Truth, where he spent several years in the ministry before being sent out to pastor. Bishop Davis referred to Bishop Jones as the “top man” and stated that if nobody else could get the church work off the ground in Lincoln, Nebraska, Bishop Jones would.

Bishop Jones often called Lincoln, Nebraska “stinkin’linkin” because it was such a tough city. He often talked about how it was so cold, they had to walk backwards to church because the wind was so harsh and when they had baptisms they had to break ice… and us Carolinians complain about the cold water in the baptism pool.

The Lord told Bishop to come to Raleigh, North Carolina in 1987, in which he loaded up his 1957 international bus with his wife, one soul and boo boo the cat. Bishop’s first home was on Parnell Drive; which was also the church where services were held seven nights a week .. and we complain about two services a week.

Later on, Bishop relocated the church to 4300 New Bern Avenue, where he baptized over 800 souls in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. In 1988, Bishop incorporated Pentecostal Pilgrims and Strangers Church into a nonprofit organization.

Bishop was a visionary, which kept the saints inspired, if he said it could be done, the saints were eager to see it come to pass. Along with Vern’s 24 Hour Diesel Repair there were several other businesses he was instrumental in launching: Come and Dine restaurant, Joy transportation charter bus company, Saints Avenue Complex – which included a pay station, tax office, sign shop, admin office, ATM machine, UHaul, etc.

Bishop always enjoyed returning home to California to visit with his children and the rest of his family. He traveled all around the country just to be able to fellowship with like minded saints, traveling yearly to the IAF conference, AWCF and many other conferences until he was no longer able to travel.

Bishop was a gifted Bible teacher; a spiritual father to many, would give you the shirt off his back, was full of joy, an organist by sound, a lover of saints, enjoyed eating out, rolling heads and popping your bubble…when you thought you were right, he was a master at giving out orders … even until the very end. Bishop was a man that if you ever met him, you would never forget him.