Alabama worship leader still going strong at 84

Alabama worship leader still going strong at 84

Lloyd Jones, minister of music at Fairfield Highlands Baptist Church, Midfield, celebrated his 84th birthday Aug. 11, but retirement is not in his vocabulary. 

“Lloyd Jones is a modern-day Caleb,” said Dick Thomassian, who was minister of music at Fairfield Highlands more than 50 years ago when Jones was first called into the ministry. “He is consecrated to God, consistent in his commitment and courageous in his walk with the Lord.”

Thomassian has mentored Jones over the years, and he said that at 84 “Lloyd is as strong in the Lord as he has been over the last 50 years. God’s hand is upon him.”

When Jones surrendered to the ministry, he continued his career at United States Steel, serving bivocationally at Calvary Baptist Church, Bessemer; Cottage Hill Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove; First Baptist Church, Graysville; Forest Hills Baptist Church, Fairfield; and Concord Highlands Baptist Church, Hueytown. 

After his retirement from the steel industry, Jones began his full-time ministry at West Side Baptist Church, Bessemer. He later moved to North Highlands Baptist Church, Bessemer, and finally returned to where it started, Fairfield Highlands.

Ed Cruce, pastor of Fairfield Highlands and former director of missions for Bessemer Baptist Association, calls Jones “the best music minister I have ever worked with.”

“Lloyd always puts an emphasis on being led by the Holy Spirit, and I really appreciate that,” Cruce said.

In addition to his service at Fairfield Highlands, Jones continues to serve as director of the monthly senior adult program at The Baptist Church at McAdory, McCalla.

Over the past 50 years, Jones has led revival services across Alabama and has presented a patriotic presentation countless times for schools, churches and senior adult groups.