Reverend Jones is still doing the work that God chose him to do as a teen.
The career of a minister can be both tiresome and rewarding. Other than leading worship services, a minister is a figurehead in the community setting positive examples for everyone else.
The Rev. Cory Jones of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Burlington Township has been setting positive examples for not only his congregation but in past congregations as well.
The California native began his studies at U.C. Berkeley, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in sociology. With that degree behind him, Jones furthered his education at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Ga. While at ITC, Jones was Morehouse School of Religion president, National Baptist Student Union president and a Theta Phi honor society member. In December 2011, he graduated with a doctor of ministry degree from Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala.
“When I was 15 years old, I received the call,” Jones said. “Once I began my college career, I decided to dive deeper in the studies of religion and the ministry. My mother has always been an inspiration and she prayed that if God gave her a son, she would give him back to God.”
Jones served Jackson Memorial Baptist Church for 10 years in Atlanta, before moving to New Jersey. The senior pastor started at Tabernacle Baptist Church in December 2012, and has enjoyed every minute at his current call.
“Our church is a loving place, and it’s the most loving place I’ve ever been to,” Jones said. “When someone is in need, the church is responsive, and our church embraces others, especially when they lose something close to them.”
In today’s world, attending church services often gets pushed to the side for other activities. Sunday services get ignored for youth sports, family trips or extra hours of sleep. However, even with all these other activities, Jones said he remains confident churches will survive.
“It is concerning; the millennial group is not close to other demographics,” Jones said. “However, the church has always gone through cycles, and I don’t have any concerns about the church as a whole going into extinction.”
Other than his everyday duties as a religious leader, Jones enjoys a wide range of activities. The Los Angeles native enjoys playing basketball if his body is up for it, watching movies, resting at home and traveling when he can.
“It’s always fun staying active, “ Jones said. “I also enjoy politics, reading about other religions and listening to new aspects regarding religion.”
Jones is married to Torri Durham Jones, and they have one daughter, Dakota.
For more information on Jones or Tabernacle Baptist Church, visit http://www.tabernacle-burlington.org.
