Pastor Kelly Jones, Sr. comes from a lineage of pastors, elders, ministers, and church workers. Born in Hartford CT, he is the twin son of the late Rev. Betty Sue Jones. She instilled the importance of “Family Prayer” from an early age; a practice he still believes in today. Rev. Betty Sue Jones was a pastor and co-worker in the church and held many other positions as well. She made her home available to those in need. She also opened her home for church services in support and start-up of one the finest churches in the city of Springfield. At the age of 9, Pastor Jones received the baptism of the Holy Ghost during an evening youth tarry service. As exampled by their mother, he and his siblings became active participants of the church; this included singing, playing instruments, participating in youth programs, traveling with the church ministry, and the list goes on. As gifted musicians, Elder Jones and his siblings learned to play multiple instruments in support of the ministry. Elder Jones was anointed at the age of 15 to play the steel guitar, an instrument unique to gospel worship and an instrument he admittedly uses as his way to worship. In 1996 Elder Jones accepted his calling into ministry. It was during these formative years that his love, passion, and zeal for God and His Word flourished as he served in ministerial leadership positions, which included Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Book Writer, Audio/Visual Production and Planning, Youth Leader & Event Organizer, Men’s Department Staff Planner & Organizer, Building Fund Committee Leader, Officiating Pastor’s Aid Committee, Special Event Organizer, Special Service Program and Newsletter Design and Production, Bible Study, Noon Day Prayer, House-to-House Prayer, Pre-Release Jail Ministry, Soup Kitchen Ministry, Homeless Shelter Ministry, Street Ministry, Backsliders’ After-Care Ministry, Music Director and Chief Musician, and Minister of the Gospel, just to name a few. In 2006 he was led to assist his sister Pastor Gloria Grimes in the start-up of a new ministry in the city of Springfield. After several years, the transition continued as he and his family became members of Revival Time Evangelistic Center. Under the Pastorship of long-time friend Pastor Steven R. Williams, Elder Jones and his family continued to serve in ministry and grow in faith. In 2014, after months of consecration & prayer, Elder Jones accepted his calling as Pastor. He and his wife Melissa humbly stepped out on faith to begin a new ministry in their home, Grace Fellowship Sanctuary. Elder Jones believed that if he was obedient to the call, God would provide for the ministry. Grace Fellowship had their first service on September 7th, 2014. In 2015 Grace Fellowship Sanctuary became Incorporated in the state of Massachusetts and received its Federal 501c3 nonprofit status. While operating as an independent ministry, Pastor Jones was ordained and installed in 2015 by Apostle Lionel Brown, Archbishop of Church on the Rock Kingdom Cathedral, Providence RI. In 2017, Pastor Jones guided by the Holy Spirit solicited the spiritual covering of Bishop Naomi Barber of Overflowing Love Church of the Living God. Two years later in 2019 while attending the Church of the Living God Minister’s Conference, Pastor Jones, his wife, and Grace Fellowship Sanctuary were officially welcomed into fellowship with the Church of the Living God by President General Bishop Ivy Hopkins. In December of 2020, Pastor Jones was elevated and installed to the position of Presiding State Elder of the Rhode Island Massachusetts Diocese Church of the Living God, by Presiding Prelate, Bishop Naomi Barber. Pastor Kelly Jones Sr. has been married to his lovely wife Melissa for over 32 years. Together, and by the Grace of God, they have raised four beautiful adult children, two sons, Kelly Jr and Quentin, and twin daughters Kandice and Kaprice. As of this year, each one of their adult children have earned their college degrees in the field of Human Services with a desire to serve people and the community. Although grateful for the success of all their children, daughter Kandice serves as a special blessing. Kandice and twin sister Kaprice were born prematurely. Due to a portion of the brain not receiving enough oxygen at birth, Kandice was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Doctors concluded she would be extremely limited in speech, mobility, and comprehension. By the Grace of God, the prayers of the righteous, and faithful family support, Kandice has surpassed doctors’ expectations! Kandice has obtained her Masters of Mentel Health Counseling degree and is currently 2 semesters away from receiving her PHD, becoming the first doctor in the family. EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: Pastor Jones is a 28-year veteran Lieutenant of the Springfield Fire Department. He currently serves on the department’s PEER Support Team, PTSD Support Team, as well as on the department’s Diversity Committee. In the spring of 2022, Pastor Jones graduated Suma Cum Lauda with a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Studies with an emphasis in Biblical Studies. Both he and his wife have been community volunteers for over 25 years while at the same time looking for any opportunity to share their faith. Over the years Pastor Kelly Jones has acquired many titles: Father, husband, friend, coach, mentor, firefighter, musician, and minister, but the title he cherishes the most is being called a child of God.