The Catholic Sun :: Phoenix Diocesan Newspaper

Alex Jones used to think Catholics were wrapped up in a superstitious, ritualistic religion. As pastor of a Pentecostal, then an evangelical church, he thought he was helping “free” people from all that.

Now he travels the country speaking about the Eucharist, confession and RCIA, trying to bring people to the Catholic Church.

“It’s good to be home at last,” said Deacon Alex Jones, concluding the story of his journey into the Church.

“There is one tradition,” he added. “That tradition comes down to us in the one apostolic, Catholic, holy Church.”

Deacon Jones spoke Feb. 16 at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, engaging his audience with humor and a deep understanding of the roots of the Church.

In 1998, while preparing for a bible lesson for his congregation, he began to discover the hierarchy, traditions and apostolic succession of the Church. Jones knew he found what he called “authentic Christianity.”

“How do you uncover the truth and walk away?” Deacon Jones asked. He did walk away — and it cost him everything except his immediate family.

Although Deacon Jones told his wife she was “free to walk away from the Catholic Church,” she did not.

“The Lord spoke to her heart,” Deacon Jones said, and she joined him in converting to Catholicism.

Conversion

After giving up his ministry, he joined the Catholic Church in April 2001 along with more than 50 others from his former congregation. Jones later became a deacon.

Deacon Jones’ mother was Pentecostal, but “if she were Catholic, she’d be a nun,” he said.

He never saw his father in church while he was growing up, but Deacon Jones said he “baptized his father into Christ before he died at the age of 80.”

The deacon is in his fourth year at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, studying for his master’s in pastoral studies. He is the associate director for the Archdiocese of Detroit’s inner-city evangelization project.

Vincentian Father Jeff Harvey, pastor at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, heard Deacon Jones speak in California before inviting him to the Valley.

“I wanted him to share his conversion story because it was so powerful, moving from being a powerful pastor to the RCIA process,” Harvey said.

“It is enriching, not just for those who are presently in the RCIA process, but for all Catholics,” he added.

Deacon Jones was “wonderful, insightful,” said Martha Montero, parishioner at St. Vincent de Paul. “I wish we could have more teaching like that.”