Bishop Reuben Timothy Jones, S.R. was born to the late Reverend Scott James Jones and Rachel Reese Jones in Anderson, South

Carolina. His father died when he was very young, and he along with his mother moved to Philadelphia, P A.  He grew up under the ministry of the Tindley Temple United Methodist Church, where

the Late Reverend Charles Albert Tindley was Pastor.  From the age of 9 until he was 16, Bishop Jones suffered from a rare case of nephritis that was deemed incurable by physicians.  This

condition caused such swelling in his body that he had to wear pants twice his normal size.  Regularly this required a needle the size of a screwdriver to be injected into his thorax in order to drain

the fluid.  Nonetheless, the mighty and miraculous "Hand of God" was upon him.  One day, at the Radio Church of God under the pastorate of the late Reverend Lightfoot Solomon Michaux, the mighty

hand of the Lord touched Bishop Jones, and he was healed instantly of the horrible disease and then led to a more personal relationship with God.

It was here under this ministry that he met and married the former Georgiana Briggs.   To this union were born two children - one son, Reuben Timothy Jones, Jr.

and one daughter, Rachel Jones Baxter.  Bishop Jones, Sr. was an extraordinary organizer, builder, administrator and programmer.   He displayed profound faith,

courage, fortitude, ingenuity and patience with a completely unwavering commitment to God.   He was totally dedicated to the church and to his ministry.

Bishop Jones served as an Assistant Principal in Northeast and Edison High Schools. He held a Bachelor of Arts degree from Storers College and a Bachelor of

Sacred Theology degree from Temple University. Due to his dedicated and meritorious services, Pillar of Fire College and Seminary and Payne Academy Bible

Institute awarded him a Doctor of Humanities. Bishop Jones was also awarded a Doctor of Divinity from Miller University.

He maintained a strong voice in community political and religious concerns. He served as a member of the following: Philadelphia Rotary Club, Interfaith (Inter-racial

Council of the Clergy), Philadelphia Police Community Relations (Clergymen), Philadelphia Black Clergy and the Philadelphia Pentecostal Network.  He was elected

and served as Vice Chairman to the Board of Trustees at Berean Institute of Business.

A duly ordained minister of the Gospel who was later consecrated as Bishop, he served the Church of God in Christ, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the positions

of Staff Bishop and Chairman-Public Relations. He served as Jurisdictional Bishop of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.

In a dining room on the First Sunday in April of 1953, through progressive leadership and a gift of administration, Bishop Jones organized the Christian Tabernacle Friendly Community Church. Almost immediately, the congregation experienced magnamious growth. The dining room could no longer accommodate the membership, so they moved to 314 N. 57th Street.  The "Dreamer" kept dreaming;

the congregation continued growing; another move ensued. Christian Tabernacle Friendly Community Church’s new home became 2109 Columbia Avenue and then 1709 N. 22nd Street. Later, Bishop

Jones stepped out on faith and purchased the Old Vogue Theater at 1905 W. Columbia Avenue.

 At 1905 W. Columbia Ave., Bishop Jones was inspired by God to implement “I Believe God!” for the church motto. The" Aisle of Deliverance” was first dedicated and consecrated to the Lord, on

 Columbia Ave., where Bishop Jones prayed and God delivered many people.  In addition, during this period, Bishop Jones orchestrated a six-month revival, which united great men and women of God

 from across the nation. His ministry touched, enriched, and changed lives.  More than 25 young men and women have drawn inspiration from him to become ministers of the Gospel. 

A prophesy about a church with many steps leading up to it had yet to be accomplished.  While the congregation continued to grow, it was evident that God had better things for Bishop Jones and his congregation.                         He now faced a dilemma of whether to build his next church home or to purchase.

In 1983, Christian Tabernacle purchased the former Saint Mary's Catholic Complex, and on February 23rd, Bishop Jones led his congregation to a new home - 3050 N. 22nd Street, which featured a

 main auditorium seating 1,000 people, a church school/academy, day care facilities, radio broadcasts and numerous related activities.

The effectiveness of Bishop Jones’ ministry permeated throughout the region by means of various channels.  One channel was his broadcast ministry, which was projected via the waves of

communication continuously since its inception in 1953. The broadcast ministry was given the inspirational title: "Reaching the Lost at any Cost." The voice of Bishop Jones preaching on different radio

stations and cable television networks was broadcast throughout the city, since the early 1960's.  Another channel was his role the pastor of Christian Tabernacle.  Thousands visited the church through

the years, and Bishop and Mother Jones were renown all over the country.  All of those who encountered Bishop and Mother Jones left with the testimony, “I know that I have been touched by the

hand of the Lord.” 

Bishop Jones possessed a unique personality that could easily put a stranger at ease.  His hearty laugh and warm sense of humor made him sought after by the high and the low, the rich and the

 poor.  His everyday friendly phrases such as "Smile man, Smile woman God loves you and so do I!" -"This is the day that the Lord hath made; we shall rejoice and be glad in it." - "I Believe

God!" These quotes shall continue to penetrate many hearts as they tenderly remember the man -Their friend.

Bishop Jones departed this life as he often spoke – “Doing the Lord's work.”  His last sermon was delivered on April 15, 1990, Easter Sunday morning.  He took his text from Philippians 3: 13­

14... "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark

for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."