Dr. R. Clifford Jones, a distinguished scholar-teacher, conference administrator, and pastor has been appointed as the new Dean of Oakwood University’s Religion Department. Dr. Jones began his new assignment on July 1, 2021, transitioning from the role of President of the Lake Region Conference.
Prior to service at Lake Region Conference, Dr. Cliff Jones was the Associate Dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary and a celebrated professor in the Christian Ministry Department. His courses in Church Leadership and Administration, Preaching, and The Church and Social Issues were relevant, engaging, and always filled to capacity. Dr. Jones’ Black Preaching class was a seminary favorite and has shaped the ministry of generations of pastors.
As Dean of Oakwood University’s Religion Department, Dr. Cliff Jones brings a strong commitment to scholarship, a heart for providing spiritual care to students, and experience pastoring diverse churches. He served as a pastor in the Northeastern Conference from 1979-1995 and mentored and equipped seminary students as lead pastor of the New Life Fellowship on the campus of Andrews University. Dr. Jones served as professor at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary for 19 years.
Dr. Cliff Jones is a graduate of Fitchburg State University (Massachusetts) and of Andrews University. He completed a DMin degree from New York Theological Seminary (1989) and earned a PhD from Western Michigan University (2001). He has published three books and authored numerous articles in professional and scholarly journals.
Dr. Jones is married to the lovely Elva Williams Jones, and they are the proud parents of two adult children. We are confident that God has called Dr. R. Clifford Jones to lead Oakwood University’s School of Religion “for such a time as this.” Please add Dr. Cliff Jones and his family to your prayers.