About our Interim Pastor, Dr. Stephen D. Jones

Stephen Jones was called as interim senior pastor at Prairie beginning February 1, 2011.  After nearly forty years of pastoral leadership in the American Baptist Churches, USA, Stephen retired at the end of 2010.  He and his wife, Jan, have always considered Kansas City their home and their intended place of retirement.

 Stephen has served churches in Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Washington and Missouri.  He earned his bachelor’s degree from William Jewell College and his master’s degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School.  In 1982, Stephen earned his Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary of Dayton.

 Stephen is the author of five books, including his latest, Peaceteacher, Jesus’ Way of Shalom, published by the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America. He is the immediate past president of the BPFNA and continues as a board member.  Throughout his career, Stephen has served as a leader in ecumenical and interfaith circles.  In 2007, Stephen was recognized by the great great granddaughter of Chief Seattle and the leader of the Duwamish Tribe in Seattle for his advocacy work with the tribe.  He has been recognized throughout his career for his advocacy of gay rights, women’s rights, and inter-racial partnerships.  

A noted preacher, he has preached around the USA and Canada as well as Nicaragua, El Salvador, Haiti, the Philippines, South Africa and Myanmar. 

Stephen and his wife, Janice, have retired in the Kansas City area and it has been a homecoming for them after a period of living and serving elsewhere for nearly forty years.  Janice is a job coach with special needs adults.  They have two grown children, Janelle of Kansas City and Brian of Detroit. 

Stephen offers energy and vision to pastoral ministry and we welcome his leadership during this interim period.  He states of coming to Prairie, 

“I view an interim time as a time of preparation and change.  It’s an exciting time in which to view the possibilities of the future without the constraints of tenure.  In everything we do, we will be preparing for a New Day for Prairie Church, and for a new pastoral leader.  I’m excited and engaged to be here during this important transition.”

 You may contact Dr. Jones through e-mail or by calling the church office, 913/722-6176.