Deborah A. Jones

Tell us a little about your family.
I have one sister and two brothers. I have three kids, James, Savina, and Erricks, and six grandkids!   I had wonderful parents but both are now deceased.Describe your spiritual journey.

One Wednesday night I was drinking really heavily and on my way to the Kroger’s store in Dayton, Ohio, to steal some more Wild Irish Rose wine.  I ran into a lady and her sister who gave me a tract.  I couldn’t sleep all that night—I kept drinking but I could not get drunk.  So the next night, Thursday, I made arrangements so I could go to the church listed on the tract.  That Thursday night, I got baptized in Jesus’ name and received the Holy Spirit, and it changed my whole life.  God saved me…a drunk!  Can you believe it?  I live an overcoming life every day!

What is a favorite passage of Scripture in the Bible?
My favorite passage of Scripture is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you declare the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (KJV)

What is your music background?
I started singing when I was very young—I loved to sing.  Church songs were always my musical background and I love choirs.  My favorite singers have always been the Clark Sisters since I was a teenager.  Their music ministered to me in good times and bad!

Describe the nature of your ministry.
I travel out of town to churches or groups—wherever I am invited where people will listen to my testimony.  I speak at ladies’ groups, churches, prisons, schools, and half-way houses.  I love to evangelize and sing.  I have a testimony because I’ve certainly been blessed, I assure you!

What is one of your favorite songs to sing? Why is it a favorite?
My favorite song to sing is “Lord Keep My spirit Right” because there was a time in my life when a man named Mark Rentzel informed me that was what I needed to help God help me do.  My spirit was not right when he told me that.  (The song, which was written by Pam Rentzel, is a direct result of that conversation.)  Another song I love is “Jesus I’ll Never Forget What You’ve Done for Me, Jesus I’ll never forget how you set me free.”  That song is a favorite because that’s exactly what the Lord did and I can’t forget it!

What is the best advise you have been given?
The best advice I have been given was from Pastor Charles Shearer from Mobile, Alabama (Saraland).  “Don’t pull your sins back out from the blood of Jesus—keep them under the blood!”

If you had the attention of the world what would you say?
Jesus lives and He is the best thing that has ever happened to me!

Any loves other than music?
I love to speak to women who have been through the same things I have been through—victims of abuse, rape, and alcoholism—so I can tell them “It’s gonna be all right and with God you can come out of this!”  I like to go to girls’ prisons to catch them with this message while they are still young.  I tell them about Jesus so they won’t make the same mistakes I fell into.  I encourage them to choose life!

What are five things you can’t live without?
(1) Jesus (2) My momma’s Bible—out of which I study and preach! (3) A song (4) I want to say fried chicken, but I’m gonna have to stay away from that in order to be healthy! (smile) (5) Hugs!

Who do you want to send a ‘shout out’ to?
I would like to send a shout out to my three children, James, Savina,  and Erricks, and to Pastor Charles and Sister Judy Shearer who I will forever adore.  My baby brother, James, who is taking excellent care of me since I got so sick and am waiting on my healing.  My brother, Marlon, the strong patriarch of my family, and my sister Brenda.  Of course, I want to give a shout out to Pam Rentzel, my “sista” for life and her husband Mark, the greatest teacher that ever lived!  Also I want to include Brother and Sister Robert Kayuha who have really been a stabilizing force in my life!   Thanks to all of you!

Where can we listen, purchase, and connect with you?
You can listen to me on MyHopeRadio.com, and purchase my CD from pentecostalpublishing.com. Also you can order my book “From the Guttermost to the Uttermost” and CD at pentecostalmusicians.com.