By Staff Reports
NASHVILLE, TN — The Fairfield M. B. Church in Goodlettsville recognized the 30 years of service of Senior Pastor Howard E. Jones, Jr., with a culminating banquet at the Downtown Fairfield Inn.
The gala event was the culminating of a variety of activities that have taken place during the anniversary year. These activities included a Motown Revue, Gospel Concert, and Community Praise in the Park, all leading to this heightened event to joyfully honor the Shepherd of the Fairfield Flock for 30 continuous years of service. “It was a labor of love to place special attention on our Pastor for his tireless service to our congregation and the community,” said Mary Davis, Chairperson of the Pastor’s Aid Ministry.
This anointed Man of God was ordained on April 9, 1989, and has served Fairfield since that time, when he was named interim Pastor. He was officially installed as Fairfield’s 10th Pastor on February 25, 1990, during the 102nd anniversary of the Church, continuing a pastoral lineage dating back to 1883.
“It has been my honor to answer the call of God and serve this outstanding Fairfield Church congregation and the community. It is all love,” said Pastor Jones.
The culminating event included three worship services, featuring Pastor Brandon Mason, of Locust Ridge Church, Pastor Kerry James, of Grace United and closing out the day’s events with an afternoon service featuring Pastor Ron Parham of Edmondson Chapel. Pastor Jones was presented proclamations jointly from Sen. Brenda Gilmore and Rep. Harold Love and the day was declared Pastor Howard Jones Day by the Goodlettsville City Council.
“It has been my pleasure to celebrate my childhood friend’s growth in the ministry and his 30 years as Senior Pastor at Fairfield,” said Edmondson Chapel First Lady Carmilitar Parham, a longtime friend of Pastor Jones.
Pastor Jones has led the church beyond its walls into the community, broadening its breadth and deepening its depth to make a positive difference in the lives of the congregation and the wholesomeness of the community. As a visionary, he has expanded the Fairfield footprint throughout Metropolitan Nashville;
• Developing Affordable Housing in South Nashville, former site of the Fairfield Church (1927-2008);
• Purchasing a worship center in Northeast Davidson County in Goodlettsville, (2008-present)
• Developing an entrepreneurial enterprise, Kingdom Café & Grill, located in North Nashville on Historic Jefferson Street, which is a restaurant that provides jobs, entrepreneurial opportunities and great food.
Pastor Jones believes one’s actions inside the church must also be exhibited outside the church. His philosophy is: “You can’t teach what you don’t know, and you can’t lead where you won’t go.”
