2019 Graham Jones copyGraham Jones

Elder & Worship Pastor

 

 

WHO Are You?

Hello! I’m Graham Jones. In November 2014, I married Bethany, my beautiful, talented, and wonderful best friend from college. I might be just about the nerdiest person I know. I love to explore the imagination, whether it’s rereading Silmarillion or Perelandra or Bringer of Storms, or playing another Legend of Zelda game, or listening to movie scores. I like good coffee, chocolate chip cookies, any instrument with strings, and wandering through Half Price Books for two hours before convincing myself that I don’t need to buy half of the things I picked up.

WHAT Do You Do?

I strive to let everything I do point to Christ and His gospel, in spite of my own will and desires; I decrease and He increases in me.  The Bible calls that worship, whether it’s sung, spoken, or lived.  We declare the glory of God, His Son, and His Spirit so that the nations will know His name. I use music in song on Sunday mornings at the Fields to help us focus our minds and hearts on Him. I believe music is a gift from God that directs us to surrender. The word of God continues to impact me daily, which directs me in that surrender. Whether it’s in writing or singing or serving or leading, I work to lead our church in singing His words, not mine.

WHERE Do You Come From?

I’m an Arlingtonian (or however you say that), born and raised. I spent the entirety of my childhood in North Arlington, and am now living in South Arlington. After graduating from Lamar High School, I headed to Bison Hill (Oklahoma Baptist University) to get my Bachelor’s in Music Composition. I spent some time there doing what every good college kid should: playing in a band called Overseer with my best friends.

WHEN Were You Saved?

I surrendered my life to Christ when I was 8 years old at my church’s VBS (I remember it was fish-themed). Having been raised in a wonderful Christian home with incredible God-fearing parents, I was surrounded by the story of Jesus, for which I am incredibly blessed. God called me to walk with Him at that young age, but I spent several years after that in my youth learning how to fully surrender to Him. I am still on that journey even now, encountering His salvation daily and learning to walk in His Spirit.

HOW Has The Gospel Impacted You Recently?

The gospel continues to shape me into the image of Christ, usually in the form of sharply chiseling out of me the things I think I can hold on to. It continues to push me to reach out to those in our community who need to hear the life-giving gospel of Christ. Jesus didn’t exactly paint us a picture of the easiest Kingdom, but I can’t help but declare, like Peter, “Lord, to whom shall [I] go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6). I’m still young, and there’s still far to go, but I’m holding on to His promises.

WHY Are You At The Fields?

There are many reasons why I became connected to the Fields. Bryan was my youth pastor at Lamar Baptist Church. Worship has always been a huge part of my life through music, Scripture, and the opportunities that God has brought along the way whether in leadership or otherwise. The Fields Church challenges me to live in a manner worthy of His high calling, focusing on His Word and His mission. Above all of these that I can recognize, however, God has simply led me to the Fields, and I trust what He has in store here with great excitement. I look forward to continuing to serve you and our community together. “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands” (Psalm 90:17).