Pastor Richard Lance Jones was born and raised in Racine, WI. He received a B.A. degree in Economics and Management from Beloit College, Beloit, WI, and went on to earn a Juris Doctorate degree from the Marquette University Law School in 1989.
After graduating from law school, Pastor Jones served as the Director of Minority Affairs for the Law School at Marquette University. In 1991, he accepted a position with the Milwaukee Trial Office of the State Public Defender Agency (SPD). Three years later, Pastor Jones transferred to the Racine Trial Office of the SPD agency. He held numerous positions at the SPD agency and eventually served as the First Assistant (Regional Manager) for the Racine Region, which included both Racine and Kenosha Counties.
Pastor Jones married Angela K. Bellmar on June 11, 1988. To this union two children were born: Richard Lance Jones, Jr. and Danielle Marie Jones.
Pastor Jones accepted his call to the ministry in 1993. He preached his first sermon in June of 1994 and was licensed into the ministry at the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, Racine, Wisconsin, the church where he was raised. He became ordained at St. Paul in May, 1997. He served as the Administrative Assistant to Pastor Lawrence L. Kirby, Program Director for the Godfather’s Program and served on the Trustee Board.
Pastor Jones went on to serve as Pastor of United Faith Missionary Baptist Church from June 1998 to October 2001.
On April 4, 2004 God fulfilled His promise to His people and called Pastor Jones to become the permanent Pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Madison, WI. He was installed by Bishop Lawrence Kirby in July, 2004.
On Saturday evening, August 28, 2004 Pastor Jones led the congregation out of the old sanctuary into the new edifice with members rejoicing, praising God, praying and anointing the entire building with oil. Bishop Kirby led a powerful three day dedication revival which culminated with a consecration service on Sunday, August 29, 2004.
During Pastor Jones’ short tenure he welcomed 668 new members to Mt Zion, including 202 who were baptized. An additional Sunday morning worship service (8:00am) was started in May of this year. Also during this time, 10 individuals accepted their calling into the ministry, 3 of whom were ordained. Five deacons have been ordained under Pastor Jones’ leadership and an additional four are currently in training.
In 2006, Mt. Zion began a “Building Up Reaching Out” appeal campaign to raise funds for a Community Life Center, which is phase II of Mt. Zion’s building project. Also during 2006 Mt. Zion’s Food Pantry was relocated to an expanded and improved site through a collaborative effort with the City of Madison’s Community Development Authority. In addition several new ministries were formed including Children’s Church, Youth Explosion, After School Tutorial, Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Program, Sisters of Virtue Liturgical Dance Team and the Village Ministry.
Pastor Jones is a member of the African American Council of Churches, Gamma, Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County, Vice-President of the Carter G. Woodson Foundation and is Head Coach of one of the Madison Spartans Basketball Teams.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
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