BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
Funeral services for a Tampa minister, who founded a local church, will be held on Friday at 11 a.m., at Bible-Based Fellowship Church, Carrollwood, 4903 Ehrlich Road. Rev. Dr. Arthur Timothy Jones lost his battle with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, on Saturday, May 4th.
A native of East Tampa, Dr. Jones, 65, was raised by his grandmother. He graduated from Middleton High School. He then became a Molefi Asante/Jeremiah Wright/ Cornel West scholar at United Theological Seminary. Dr. Jones also received training at both Harvard University and Oxford University.
Forty-three years ago, Dr. Jones married his wife, Mrs. Doris Jones. They are the parents of four children, Darren, Arthur Jones, II, Natalie and Shonda.
In 1968, Dr. Jones became employed at the IBM Corporation. He remained there until he retired in 1992, after 24 years of service.
Prior to his retirement, in 1988, Dr. Jones launched Bible-Based Fellowship Church as a Bible Study in his home. Under his leadership, it transformed into one of the largest predominantly African American congregations in Hillsborough County. It membership surpassed 5,000.
On separate occasions, when rumors or controversy about the church reached Dr. Jones, he visited the Sentinel office. His goal was to ensure that the information the newspaper received was correct.
As a visionary, Dr. Jones created a school and credit union under the church banner. There are also five congregations, and two schools, on the African content that bears the Bible-Based Fellowship Church name.
The accomplishments of Dr. Jones are known throughout the country as a renowned pastor, preacher, and teacher. In addition to founding Bible-Based Fellowship, Dr. Jones and his friend, Rev. Milton Biggham, founded the world renowned Florida Mass Choir.
The organization recorded 14 albums, CDs and video/DVDs. “Jesus Is Mine” and “Jesus Is The Light” are among their hit recordings. Dr. Jones is also credited with bringing the Gospel Music Workshop of America in 1976. It was the first time it visited Tampa. Dr. Jones was honored by the organization in 2011 for his lifetime achievements in the gospel music industry.
Dr. Jones may be best known for his work as a gospel music performer. The Rev. James Cleveland is listed among his contemporaries.
In addition to performing with various organizations on a large scale, Dr. Jones also shared with the Hillsborough County community by appearing at the Florida Strawberry Festival.
In 2002, Dr. Jones launched his solo career as a singer. His first release was “Speak For Me.”
He served as a songwriter, singer, record and video producer. An ordained minister, the Christian affiliations of Dr. Jones extend to Georgia, Texas, and South Carolina.
As part of his legacy, Dr. Jones also left his imprint in the form of three published books: “Four Words For Tough Times,” “When You Don’t Know What To Do,” and “Just Let God Be God.”
The viewing for Dr. Jones will take place at the church on Thursday, May 9th, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m., and from 9 a.m., until 11 a.m., on Friday, May 10th. The funeral services will take place at the church, on Friday, beginning at 11 a.m.
Wilson’s Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.
In preparation for his homegoing, a mass choir is being formed. Anyone wishing to participate in the choir can attend rehearsals on Monday, May 6th and Tuesday, May 7th, at the Cathedral at the Bible-Based Fellowship Church.
