Summary: Pastor Jody Jones, his wife Angel, and several other families from Christian Lighthouse in New Philadelphia are giving leadership to a new church called The Way. The church is housed in the former Calvary Chapel near Mount Eaton.
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The invitation to pastor a new church near Mount Eaton known as The Way, said Jody and Angel Jones, was the confirmation of Gods call on their lives. We did not hesitate, and rolled up our sleeves to begin, Jody Jones said. We know its the will of God that through this church many people are going to find their way and find hope. Our slogan is Find the Way and come grow with us. Were all growing; were all on different plateaus in our lives.
The couple, who have three young children, are members of Christian Lighthouse in New Philadelphia, where Jody Jones has been active as an evangelist. He continues to work fulltime in addition to his pastoral responsibilities. It can be a little stressful at times, he said. But definitely rewarding, added his wife.
Neither of them grew up in the church, Jody Jones said, and it wasnt until they had their first child that they began looking for answers in various churches. Finally, one night at a little church in Harrisville, WV, they attended a revival and their lives were completely changed. When we first started attending church, nothing in our lives changed, said Angel Jones. When Jody says that night changed our livesit was the real deal.
We could feel God moving, said Jody Jones. Thats what I wantedto have an encounter with God. There was a feeling there that this was for real. That night we were filled with the Holy Ghost and baptized, and from that time on weve just been serving God with everything in us.
What we want most is that people would experience God like that and ultimately experience a life change, he said. Thats what I preach forI want to motivate and encourage people in their walk with God, in finding their identity in God.
The new church, located in the former Calvary Chapel along Rt. 250 between Mount Eaton and Wilmot, opened its doors January 30. It features a contemporary worship band. We like to worship, lift our hands, and praise God, said Jody Jones, who noted that his preaching is contemporary also, with some old-time religion backbone to it. I want people to leave feeling encouraged to take on another weekto change what they need to and move on. Jones is a licensed minister with the Assemblies of Lord Jesus Christ (AJLC), having graduated from the Excell program at Texas Bible College
The new church came into being through the vision of Pastor Kermit Hall of Christian Lighthouse in New Philadelphia and his brother Bill Hall of Freedom Road Ministries in Holmesville, Jody Jones said. There wasnt a church like us in the Mount Eaton area.
The Way meets Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. for preaching and Sunday School, and Thursday evenings at 6:30 for coffee and discussion. The second Friday of each month, they plan fellowship nights where the congregation can build relationships more informally. A block party is planned for June 11. The best way to promote life change is through involvementthats what we want, is for people to get involved in the church, said Jones. Were a warm and friendly church and people feel very welcome.
He added, Theres a Chinese proverb that says, if your vision is for a year, plant wheat. If your vision is for ten years, plant trees. If your vision is for a lifetime, plant people. I like that. We want to plant people where they will be blessed, not only in this lifetime but eternally.
The Way is located at 18323 Dover Rd., Dundee. For more information, call 330-440-3126.
