Rev. Kenneth E. Jones, BA, MS, Ph.D.
Editor of The Christian Index

A native of Holly Springs, Mississippi, Dr. Kenneth E. Jones attended Adolphus Chapel CME Church, where as a youth and teen he was very active in several groups, including CYF, 4‑H Club, band, choir, and the Palace of Children of the Heroines of Jericho. 

After graduating from high school with honors, Jones received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Television and Radio Production from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in 1977, and in 1979, he received a Master of Science degree in Communications from Clarion State University, Clarion, PA. He earned a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from Howard University in Washington, DC in 1991 and in 2004 earned the Doctor of Ministry degree from the Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria, VA.

Dr. Jones has enjoyed an extensive professional career in communications. After serving on the faculty at Rust College in Holly Springs, he accepted an instructor's position at Howard University while pursuing the doctorate degree. Then for a number of years, Dr. Jones was an assistant professor in communications at Howard. He has published articles in scholarly communications journals, presented papers in mass media effects, and co-authored chapters in communications texts.

Dr. Jones served as public information officer for the DC Commission on Public Health, deputy director of the Office of Public Information for the DC Department of Human Services, acting director and deputy director for Creative Services for the 1980 Census Promotions Office, Suitland, MD; and director of writing services for the JAM Corporation, advertising agency (DC). Additionally, over the years, Jones served in various writing and reporting positions at the Knoxville (TN) Journal, the Worcester (MA) Telegram and Evening Gazette, and the Waterbury (CT) Republican. While at Howard University, Dr. Jones originated an undergraduate scholarly communications journal called Inhouse.

After answering the call to the ministry in 1984, Jones served as pastor of a number of CME churches, including Ebenezer CME, South Boston, VA; Christ CME Church, Waterbury, CT; Russell Temple CME Church, Alexandria, VA; Mayes Chapel CME Church, Sipsey, AL; and Shady Grove CME Church in Fairfield, AL. He is currently the pastor of Porter Chapel CME Church in Bessemer, AL.

At the 1998 General Conference of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Birmingham, AL, Dr. Jones was elected editor of The Christian Index, the official publication of the CME Church. He was re‑elected editor at the 2002 General Conference in Atlanta, GA. He has served on several committees and commissions on the region and Connectional church levels. In addition to his formal ministry, Dr. Jones also serves as chairman of the Division of Communications at Miles College in Fairfield, AL.

Dr. Jones is married to the former Frances Washington who is the lead special education teacher at Lipscomb Elementary School, Lipscomb, AL, and also a native of Holly Springs.