Beyond the pulpit: A Pastor’s Ministry of healing and worship
Nowadays, we hear too many stories about our churches and church leaders not doing this or not being that! But I can’t say this about Bryon Jones.
Not to be confused with Byron Jones, the NFL player, Bryon Jones is a singer, songwriter and worship leader – part of a respected British Gospel family and pastor of Eden Church, in Ilford, east London. Eden Church is part of The Apostolic Church, a denomination whose roots stretch back to the 1904 Welsh Revival, which served as a precursor for the Azusa Street Revival and Pentecostalism across the world. Eden Church has seen extraordinary growth, and signs, wonders and miracles of healing are currently commonplace. So, what’s ‘different’ about Bryon’s ministry?
I sought answers, as he shared snapshots of his journey into church leadership and his new worship album Chapters.
FAMILY LEAD TO LEAD SINGING
Bryon is the eldest of five children and the only son, born in Jamaica, while his four sisters – Beverly, Candace, Tryphena and Priscilla, the youngest – were born in the UK. He recalls music starting at home around an upright piano, played by his sister Tryphena.
BRYON JONES (BJ): Being the only son and the eldest made me responsible and protective. It shaped me into a natural leader early on – a role I’d describe as something that was “thrust upon” me, rather than sought! It’s a pattern that has been repeated throughout my life, including later, at church.
JULIET FLETCHER (JF): So, tell us, how did the music side emerge?
BJ: As a family, we were based in Wolverhampton, where my father was an Apostolic Church UK elder during the late 70s. I have always been creative; my first group was with some guys. We called ourselves The Pilgrim Brothers. I joined as lead singer. We weren’t traditional, and that suited me because they were keen to write their own songs. That’s what got me into songwriting.
JF: Who was inspiring you?
BJ: Some secular artists, but in gospel Andraé Crouch and The Winans. Our success was more regional. After five or six years, I left the group and began focusing on my sisters, leading them as a family group called Jones & Co.
We would rehearse at home daily. Funnily, I was watching the film of the Michael Jackson story recently, and how his father, Joseph, harshly drove the group. There were elements I recognised in the way we were. But it wasn’t our parents driving us, it was me (LOL)! I wasn’t like him, though. I was passionately striving for excellence. And we did achieve national and international acclaim, winning awards with the Black Gospel Association (BGA), founded by Arthur Torrington CBE in the 1980s, and performing further afield in Europe and beyond.
JF: I remember Jones & Co. Great harmonies! Out of that, your youngest sister, Priscilla, emerged as an amazing part of the acclaimed soul/gospel group Nu Colours, and became a vocalist and vocal trainer to the stars, working with artists like Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Chaka Khan.
JF: But you went in a totally different direction; you became a creative in the advertising world.
BJ: Yes! The music side was always ongoing, but I was studying Communications and, soon after qualifying and marrying, I came to London for work. In time, I co-owned my independent company, The Red Box Agency and then Leigh Jones.
JF: It all sounds very Saatchi & Saatchi (the advertising moguls)!
BJ: Well, I was very inspired by their story. They’re Jewish and, as a Black person in a competitive field, I had to find a way to procure clients. It culminated in an opportunity for me to head up the North America advertising account for L’Oréal, the world’s largest cosmetic and beauty brand. It was at this pinnacle that the call into church ministry came.
I ate and slept advertising – I really loved it. I was actually in my hotel room in Manhattan, negotiating to take the job at L’Oréal, which would also mean migrating to the States. I heard God speak to me to walk into ministry. It was a battle. I felt totally unprepared and unqualified!
JF: So what happened? What proof did you have of this calling?
BJ: When I came back to England, a visiting member from America prophesied to me that I would be the next pastor. I thought: “You’re crazy! You’re mad! I don’t want to hear it!”
Then one of my sisters shared a significant dream she had. Finally, my brother-in-law and I were travelling to work and he asked me a simple question: “Do you believe God is calling you into ministry?” Immediately, it was like the roof of the train tube was lifted off and the glory of God came down on me in a packed train on a Monday morning! I just started to weep from North to Central London, crying and laughing there and then. Ever since, whenever God comes upon me that way, it’s like He’s giving me assurance and I know it’s Him.
When I accepted the call, I asked God what my focus should be. The answer was: “Great preaching and excellent music.”
At the time we had over 20 members. The Holy Spirit moved, and now membership is 20 times more, and we hold two services on a Sunday. We have a miracle service on Wednesdays and frequent online prayers.
JF: Eden Church is acknowledged for frequent miracles. Give me some examples, please.
BJ: One of the first was a gentleman who had heard about the Wednesday miracle services. He had chronic hepatitis B. He missed the service but arranged to see me the next day.
He heard me singing and began to join in. I could see he was going to fall under the power. I ran out of my office and began to pray for him. He had become as stiff as a bar of iron. I could tell that unclean spirits were leaving him. Days later, he rang me to say that, after examination, the doctors found no trace of hepatitis B in his body.
JF: Oh my! Wow!
BJ: Another miracle occurred one Sunday, as I was preaching about the woman with the issue of blood (Luke 8:43–48). A lady I had never met before was travelling by bus to see her son, who had just come off crack cocaine. On her mind was the desire to get her son to a good church. The bus was diverted, so she had to get off and walk. It took her past our church, where she heard the singing, as it was during the altar call. She came forward by faith and the power of God caused her to fall. When we were praying for her, she told us she had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. After receiving prayer, she went to the hospital for a check-up, which we always ask people to do, and the hospital confirmed that she was totally cancer-free.
JF: Why do you think this has happened for you and your church?
BJ: The healing ministry is something God has graced me in, and I think it began with my own healing. I was sick for about 15 years. Each day from 7am–12pm, one side of my face would swell. Doctors couldn’t find a cause. I cried out to God in faith and, one day in my bedroom, I felt something leaving my head. Since then, I have never experienced an occurrence.
Following this season, I went to Kenya and saw blind eyes open and the crippled walk. I encourage the church that they can operate in the gifts. It’s not exclusive to church leadership. Paul wrote: ‘Imitate me as I imitate Christ’ (1 Corinthians 11:1). I do believe the pastor has a big part to play in leading the congregation in this type of ministry. We are meant to be building the congregation up in the things of the LORD!
JF: What might we see on a Wednesday?
BJ: It’s not prescriptive. We are definitely in worship, praise and thanksgiving, and music plays a big part. We might sing for an hour or more. I may give a word. Testimonies are shared to raise our levels of faith.
JF: I just love that. I think you should be seeing me there!
BJ: You’re welcome!
MUSIC IS STILL CENTRAL
JF: So, is music still central for you?
BJ: Oh yes! My forthcoming album, Chapters, focuses more on songs to God and about God, with titles like ‘Possible’ and ‘Trust’. I humbly say that, these days, many so-called praise and worship songs are more ‘Bless me… Do this for me… Pour out Your Spirit on me… Give me this… Give me that… Heal me… Deliver me…’ They are songs more about “me” instead of to God. We need songs going upward, instead of just the blessings coming down – simple melodies people can sing. Saying a lot with fewer words, which is something I learned in advertising.
Pastor Bryon Jones believes in the power of song, the Word and the Holy Spirit.
Look out for Chapters on all major digital platforms.
Visit www.edencc.org and www.facebook.com/BryonleeJones
JULIET FLETCHER
Creative Director of Green Tree and Windrush Church and Music. Founder of Songshare www.songshare.co.uk
