Jarrod Jones

Posted by jarrod

Baptized at nine years old. Then as a teenager became a typical “church kid” who did all the church “stuff.” I attended all the youth events, but didn’t live for Jesus. I was popular, a partier, and a star basketball player. This was a recipe for destruction.

After High School I signed full athletic scholarships to play Junior College and later Division I basketball (Samford University, Birmingham, AL). There again I met popularity and athletic success. My senior year I received a student athlete all-star award at the Dr. Pepper Invitational tournament in Waco, Texas, from CBS Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz. Among the teams and media in the lobby of the hotel, Nantz stopped me and personally congratulated me. After spending more time one on one with Nantz, I received an autograph with the note, “Thanks for being a good role model.” My stomach sank. There was nothing spiritual about what he wrote. But I defaulted to thinking about my supposedly being a Christian, and the many people who thought of me as Christian role model. They didn’t know me as well as they thought. My hypocrisy haunted me.

At the end of the day, my god was “me,” Jesus was not. I had religious emotional experiences (walked many, many aisles to “accept Jesus” and/or “rededicate my life”). But that would only last for a few weeks and then fade away. There was no lasting soul and life change. That’s why I am not a fan of creating emotional experiences at events, giving public invitations, and so forth. That’s just me. I digress.

As a student, I would confess that I loved Jesus…but ultimately, it all boiled down to the fact that I didn’t want to follow Jesus. I didn’t want to obey Him. I wanted His forgiveness and tolerance with me while I lived the way I wanted.

Years later, by way of a broken relationship with a girl I wanted to marry I had a powerful encounter with Christ. He broke me. Gloriously ruined me. On my face in the carpet of my bedroom I repented of sin and embraced Jesus as Savior and Lord. A life of repentance and following Jesus became the desire of my heart. Still is.

I left a business career to serve as an intern in youth ministry. I accepted a position as director of high school ministries and associate teaching pastor of a church in Birmingham, AL. In 2000, I began seminary to prepare for the pastorate. Doors opened for me to travel and preach and teach. I have been traveling full-time since 2003. In 2005, I began speaking at Public School assemblies also.

I graduated with a BA from Samford University, Birmingham, AL, in 1995. In addition, I graduated from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY, with a Master of Divinity in 2003. I’ve authored three books:

• Worship co-authored with Joel Engle for his 2004 Surrender Conference tour

• The Backward Life: In Pursuit of an Uncommon Faith (Revell/Baker Publishing, 2006). For more info visit www.backwardlife.com

• 13 Ways to Ruin Your Life: A Practical Guide for Guys (2008). For more info visit
www.13waystoruinyourlife.com

I am married to my lovely and loving wife Christie (2003). We reside in Birmingham, AL. We have two sons, Josiah (2004), and Titus (2006). We also have a Chihuahua named Tidbit. We are active members at Shades Mountain Independent Church, Birmingham, Alabama.

If you read this whole thing, you deserve a prize. Send an e-mail and I will e-mail you a free PDF of the 13 Ways book. info@jarrodjones.com




CovenantEyes.com

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Permalink | December 4th, 2008

5 Responses to “Jarrod Jones”

  1. Bryan Lawrence Says:
    May 14th, 2009 at 2:18 pm

    thanks for the offer of the pdf format book. I’d be more than happy to read it in pdf version while I’m sitting here recovering from a stent placement. Chances are, I will end up picking up a paper copy of the book too, so I can share it with others.

  2. joshua Says:
    May 14th, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    dear jarod i hope to read your book it may just help with the struggle you and millions of others mostley men face. im not a man to say what a man is? but as a guy i do struggle with online-porn addiction it dont have to be hard-core porn it can be just soft porn or certain scenes on movies that get me arroused. i have read some books on porn addiction but even when i tell myself enough i go right back, and when i dont look at sexual images i have mental ones that hit me hard.

  3. Bob Says:
    December 18th, 2009 at 8:13 am

    I was unable to download pdf of 13 Ways. I would appreciate it if it could be emailed to me. Thank you in advance for your help and consideration

    robert.lewis.powell@gmail.com

    Bob

  4. Tracey Stoudemire Says:
    May 24th, 2010 at 10:54 pm

    Hello,I find out that your site is quite instructive and helpful and we wonder if there is really a possibility of obtaining More articles or blog posts like this on your web site. If you willing to support us out, we will be willing to compensate you… Best wishes, Tracey Stoudemire

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    May 31st, 2010 at 3:59 am

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