David Jones

H. David Jones was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on August 3rd, 1952. He was a PK — a preacher’s kid. The only son of Howard and Wanda Jones, he was the loving brother to Cheryl, Gail, Phyllis, and Lisa. As a young boy, David gave his life to Christ and was led to the Lord by his mother.

David was fortunate to have lived on two continents — America and Africa during his lifetime. In the 1960s, David resided in Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa. While there, David and his family participated in a radio program, “Singtime for Boys and Girls,” broadcast on Eternal Love Winning Africa — ELWA radio station.  In Monrovia, David lived through a coup that threatened the whole country of Liberia. Then-President William V.S. Tubman sent in military soldiers to protect and accompany David and his family and the 40 other missionary families living there for three months until the crisis was over.

After many years in Africa, David and his family returned to the States. They moved from Queens, New York, to Oberlin, Ohio, to care for his paternal grandparents.  In 1971, David graduated from Oberlin Senior High School, where he lettered in track and played on the basketball team. He then attended Huntington College in Huntington, Indiana, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history in 1975.

David then felt the Lord calling him to the ministry and decided to go to seminary at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston, Massachusetts, earning a Master of Divinity degree. After graduating, he preached his very first sermon entitled “The Bible: The Christian’s Operation Manual.” at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Oberlin, Ohio. David went on to pastor two Christian & Missionary Alliance churches in Detroit, Michigan, and Brooklyn, New York. He later became a chaplain at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Love was soon to come. While attending a conference in Portland, Oregon, he reconnected with the Greenidge’s — close friends of the Joneses. Both families served in ministry together. On that trip, David crossed paths with Daphne after not seeing her for 30 years. There was an instant connection between them, and they married that next year in 1999.

After relocating to Seattle, David served as Pastor of Worship & Arts at Interbay Covenant Church in Seattle, Washington on a one-year assignment. He later joined Urban Impact, directing their after-school program, and worked for Seattle Public Schools as an Instructional Assistant and Family Support Worker.  During their marriage, David and Daphne served in ministry together, singing and traveling to various conferences. He also conducted Father Wound seminars. In this role, he was a mentor and role model to many younger men.

David was also a very gifted musician who loved to worship the Lord. He loved singing, playing the piano and guitar, and writing and performing music. David’s playing was often like refreshing water to a thirsty soul. His love for the Word of God led him to write many Praise and Worship songs. In one project, he even wrote music behind the Book of Psalms. Various artists have recorded several of David’s songs.

David and Daphne were married 22 years before his passing. They were very active and involved in the church, attending Holly Park Community Church, followed by Emerald City Bible Fellowship. 

David would later become ill with Alzheimer’s — a dreaded disease that eventually took his memory and ability to speak, think, play, or sing. The Lord finally came to take him home on October 30th. David is now in Glory, healed, whole, and completely free at home with his Savior and Lord, whom he loved and served all his life.

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