Frank Jones’ seat is saved. Every year.
And as far as he’s concerned, it’s a primo spot.
For several years now, Jones has watched the Alabama Baptist State Convention annual meeting and the State Evangelism Conference over the top of the organ or piano, with his fingers on the keyboard.
“From there, I get to see the entire package,” said Jones, who serves as the staple accompanist for the meetings each year. “It’s different from seeing the proceedings from the pew.”
It’s something he enjoys, he said — a gift. This year, that’s especially appropriate.
The annual meeting opened Nov. 17 — his birthday.
But Sammy Gilbreath said Jones is the gift to Alabama Baptists.
“Frankie Jones is not only a great musician but also a great Christian,” said Gilbreath, director of evangelism for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. “It doesn’t matter what happens or what we ask him to do; he does it and enjoys it. He’s the perfect example of a Southern Christian gentleman.”
For Jones, that’s “a great tribute and a great honor.” But he turned the praise toward someone else: “I thank Alabama Baptists for their investment in my life.”
Alabama Baptists took hold of the musician’s talents early on. First Baptist Church, Guntersville, invested in him as a young man, and then God got a hold of him during a youth music week at Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center in Talladega in ’67, he said.
“I knew that week that God had been dealing with my heart … but I couldn’t put a finger on it,” Jones said.
He talked to the director, who said, “Maybe God’s calling you to the ministry.”
“How would I know?” Jones asked.
“You’ll just know,” the director responded.
Jones knew.
He kicked off a music ministry with a vengeance, spending his summers in college working with rural churches’ music programs and serving later as music minister at churches around Alabama — mostly north of Birmingham.
And somewhere along the way, the state convention got a hold of him, and he’s been behind the organ or piano ever since — four or five years at the state convention meeting, six or seven at the evangelism conference.
“This has been a great point for me to be able to give back to the Alabama Baptists who gave to me,” said Jones, who now serves as associate minister of worship/minister to 55+ adults at Calvary Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa.
“I enjoy being with the people, too, and seeing friends that I’ve made through the churches,” he said.
And how long does he plan to keep his reserved seat?
“As long as my fingers hold out,” he said with a smile.
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