Meet our Pastor

Rev. Rodney M. Jones Sr. a native of Ruther Glen, Virginia.  The son of the late Rev.  Dr.  Elmore & Ruth Jones, and one of seven siblings.  Rev.  Jones  is a graduate of Ladysmith High School.  He continued his education at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree  in Health &  Physical Education, & Driver’s Education.  He later earned his master’s degree in education; in the area of Administration and Supervision from VCU.   Rodney continued furthering his education and earned his Master of Divinity from Samuel D. Witt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University.  

Rev. Jones began his career in education at Ettrick Elementary School in Petersburg, Virginia.  A year later, he took a position as a health and physical education teacher in Henrico County, Virginia. He was the assistant football coach and also the head basketball coach at John Randolph (JR) Tucker High School in Henrico County for fourteen years.  Rev. Jones was assistant principal at Walker-Grant Middle School, and an assistant principal at Culpeper High School in Culpeper  County, Virginia;  before becoming an assistant principal at Colonial Forge High School in Stafford, Virginia.  He has retired from education with  44 years of service to Virginia’s Public School System.

Rev. Jones was ordained as Decon by the Oxford Mt. Zion Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Christopher Lee. In March 1987, Rev. Jones became a member of Second New Hope Baptist Church, where he served as deacon, co-chairmen of the deacon ministry, and  then chairman of the deacon ministry until he was licensed as a minister. In 2005, Rev. Jones received the call to preach the Word of God.  Rev.  Jones was licensed to the gospel  ministry in June of 2014; and ordained nine years later on May 20, 2023; under the leadership of Pastor Rev.  Dr.  Charles H.  Hilliard and the order of the Second New Hope Baptist Church Body.  He was a member of the Second New Hope Baptist Church for thirty-seven years.  Rev.  Jones was installed as pastor of Mt.  Zion Baptist Church 309 Wolfe Street on Sunday, January 28, 2024.  February 18, 2024; he joined and became a member of Mt.  Zion Baptist Church 309 Wolfe Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia. 

Rev.  Jones is married to Rev.  Amelda Fay Jones, and they have two adult sons: Rodney M.  Jones, Jr.  &  Reginald M.  Jones, “Reggie.” Rev. Jones, and Amelda have been married for forty-two years, and they have resided in Fredericksburg, Virginia, for the past forty-two years. Rev.  Jones’ favorite scripture is Proverbs 3: 5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not on  your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (NKJV) His favorite song is “I Trust in God.”