Click for AUDIO; Click for PART 2, 1987-2004 at our church in Plano: Blank stares and deaf ears
Link in this post: Bill Jones remarks at 2018 Retirement Dinner
Introduction to this blog series
Wednesday evening, March 19, I spoke at a Pastors for Texas Children town hall, at my home church, Wilshire Baptist in Dallas, on public school vouchers. It was moderated by George Mason, senior pastor emeritus. Other speakers were Sarah Macias, Lance Currie, and Bobby Broyles.
At one point, George remarked to me that he and I had collaborated on a number of advocacy matters over the years. When Lance Currie got to the microphone, he looked out at me and made a similar remark about the many times he and I had worked together on advocacy issues over many years. Bobby Broyles was a strong supporter of Texas Baptists Committed during my years on the TBC board and my tenure as executive director, and we have served together on the Pastors for Texas Children board since its founding 12 years ago.
Thursday morning, as I pondered the privilege of working with these folks – and many, many others – on matters close to my heart for so many years, it occurred to me that this month marks 25 years since the beginning of my journey from sitting on the Baptist sidelines as a spectator to running onto the “playing field” as an active advocate and leader. So I figured this is as good a time as any to look back and reflect on that journey – the people and events that have been key in making all of this possible.
So get comfortable, this is going to be a long one – a series of eleven blog posts covering the past 25 years of my journey. Take a break between posts, go to the kitchen & get a snack or a beverage, go to the restroom, or just sit back and rest your eyes before gearing up for the next leg of the journey.
Joanna and Daddy – key influences in everything I do
I must begin by mentioning the one person who has been key to anything I’ve been able to accomplish through these 25 years – my wife of 44½ years, Joanna, whom I lost to kidney disease in February 2021. Her love and support meant everything to me, and she was always supportive of everything I wanted to do. She was every bit as committed as I am to the principles that I have fought to defend and promote. I can’t begin to express how much Joanna meant – and means – to me. I tried my best to express it at my retirement dinner (from Texas Baptists Committed) in 2018. I’m so glad I did that, with her sitting there, listening.
Another key person is my Daddy, Jase Jones. Besides Joanna, Daddy has been the greatest influence in my life. He was a Baptist preacher, ethicist, theologian, and home missionary. Beginning, I guess, in my late 20s, I realized more than ever what a rich resource he was when it came to theology, ethics, and wisdom in a wide variety of areas, so I made the most of every opportunity to talk with him and pick his brain. I’m so thankful for the close relationship we had. He had the opportunity to see my early years of Baptist activism, from 2000 until he passed away in 2007 – particularly my election to the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT), on which I served from 2002-04; my service as a teacher with the Texas Baptist Laity Institute, beginning in 2005; and my election to the Texas Baptists Committed board in 2006. The last time I saw Daddy, just a week before he passed away, he said, “I just want you to know how very proud I am of you.” That was the last thing he ever said to me, and it means the world to me.