Dr. Clifford A. Jones, Sr. was born in Philadelphia and reared in New Jersey. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Maryland State College (Princess Ann, MD), the Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Wake Forest, NC); and of Doctor of Ministry from Boston School of Theology (Boston, MA). He has studied at Regents Park College in Oxford, England, and Baptist Theological Seminary, in Ruschlikon, Switzerland. He has served as the Senior Pastor of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina since October 1982.
Dr. Jones has led delegations of members from FMBC and formed a partnership in the Winterveldt community in South Africa. There, FMBC purchased land and developed a farm, built three greenhouses, dug a well, installed an irrigation system, bought a tractor and brick making machine as well as constructed a building for a sewing factory. The farming, brick making, and raising crops of vegetables were all designed to create jobs, have fresh vegetables for sale in the community and create economic interdependence with our South African brothers and sisters.
Dr. Jones has organized and led numerous medical and religious mission teams of preachers, doctors, nurses, technicians, and teachers to provide needed healthcare, medical supplies, and educational training in Jamaica, Africa, and Guyana, South America, for children and families struggling in poverty. God’s blessings have indeed been manifested upon Dr. Jones’ gifts and talents and the Friendship family with the ownership of 115 acres in Charlotte, NC. This land is also being developed to provide an Intergenerational Day Care, Commercial Block, Assisted Living for Seniors, Single Family Dwellings, and recently developed Friendship Sportsplex.
He has been a dedicated supporter of senior citizen programs, and under his leadership, Friendship provided the first satellite center for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Senior Centers, offering exercise and other classes for older citizens.
He is married to the former Carolyn Brenda Reynolds. Dr. and Mrs. Jones are the proud parents of Mrs. E. Renee Darity, Rev. Dr. Michelle A. Jones, Rev. Dr. C. Anthony Jones, Jr. (Courtney) and Miss Alexa Mariah Fortune-Jones. He is also the gratified and honored grandfather to Miss Michelle A. Jones (II), born: June 25, 2018 and Miss Maria Deneen Jones, born: March 30, 2022.
Leadership Positions/Current and Former:
Board of Directors, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership, Inc. (The Housing Partnership), 2018 – present
Board of Directors, National USA Foundation, Inc., Nashville, TN, 2012-present
Board of Directors, Faith Partnerships Inc., Raleigh, NC, 2011-present
Commission Chair, Peace and Reconciliation Commission, Baptist World Alliance, Falls Church, VA, 2015 – 2020
Board of Trustees, Morris College, 2013-2019
Board of Trustees, Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, NC, 2006-2015
Chairman of the Governance Committee, National Baptist Convention of USA, Inc. Nashville, TN, 2009-2014
Vice President, Baptist World Alliance, Falls Virginia, VA, 2005-2010
Corporate Advisory Committee, New York Boys Choir, 1994-2001
President, Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention, Washington, DC, 1994-1997
President, General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, Inc., Raleigh, NC, 1993-1997
Former Moderator, Mecklenburg General Baptist Association, 1989-1993
Civic and Community Affiliations:
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity
Life Member, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Awards and Recognitions
Religion Award, Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, 2020
Humanitarian Service of Excellence, Middle District Missionary Baptist Association Inc., 2019
Senior Father of the Year, Black Fathers Rock!, 2019
The Made Man Award, The Made Man Foundation, 2018
Beautiful Are the Feet Award, Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, 2018
UNCF Masked Award, UNCF North Carolina, 2017
Proclamation from the City of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, 2016
Religious Award, My Veteran’s Keeper, 2016
Hatch Legacy Award, John Hatch Foundation, 2016
Proclamation for the City of Charlotte, NC 2015
Lifetime Achievement Award, Leadership Charlotte, 2015
Aggrey-Small Leadership Award, Aggrey-Small Transformational Leadership Symposium, Western West Africa Episcopal District, 2014
Nelson Mandela Award Recipient, National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., 2013
Keynote for the National Political Black Caucus Prayer Breakfast, 2007
City of Charlotte King Medallion Award Recipient, 2005
Charlotte Senior Centers Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, 2001
Duke Divinity School-Gardner C. Taylor Lecturer, 2000
North Carolina NAACP Humanitarian Award Recipient, 1997
Recipient, NC Governor’s the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, 1995
Published Works - Author and Contributor:
The Star Book of Stewardship, Judson Press, 2012
Becoming and Practicing What It Means to Be A Christian, AK Classics, 2011
Consuming Passion: Christianity and the Consumer Culture, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois,1998
From Brother to Brother, Judson Press, Valley Forge, PA, 1997
How Can I Find God?, Triumph Books, Liguori, Missouri, 1997
From Proclamation to Practice: A Unique African American Approach To Stewardship, Judson Press, Valley Forge, PA, 1997