fbpx
News Articles

Anti-gambling expert Paul Jones retires from Miss. Baptist post


JACKSON, Miss. (BP)–Paul Griffin Jones II, executive director-treasurer of the Mississippi Baptist Christian Action Commission (CAC) for nearly 18 years, announced Aug. 18 he will retire from that position in order to “explore new places of witness and service to our Lord and to his people.”
Jones, 56, is one of the nation’s leading experts in the battle against legalized gambling and its expansion across the country. He remains program committee chairman for the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling’ annual meeting, Sept. 24-26, in Jackson, Miss.
Elizabeth K. Holmes, CAC senior consultant for family and women’s issues, was appointed by CAC trustees to serve as office manager while the search for a new executive director takes shape.
In his letter of retirement submitted to CAC trustees, Jones said, “You have been friends and colleagues to me and advocates of the work of the CAC … . You have made my tenure of service challenging and rewarding, and I will miss working with you through the ministry of CAC.”
Jones said in a subsequent statement to The Baptist Record newsjournal, “Retirement provides me the opportunity to do all the things that I have put on hold for so many years,” including spending more time with their children and grandchildren.
James A. Walters, CAC trustee chairman and pastor of First Baptist Church, Foxworth, Miss., said trustees accepted Jones’ retirement letter with sadness.
“Quite frankly, we trustees will miss Paul. I say with gratitude, Thank you, Paul, for the 18 years of your life given to help us do ministry for Christ. Your leadership and contribution to Mississippi Baptist Convention Concerns through CAC has helped make us one of the most effective agencies in the state convention.”
Jones came to his CAC post in January 1982 from the chairmanship of the department of biblical studies at East Texas State University in Commerce. Previously he had been Baptist Student Union director at Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas, and pastor of churches in Georgia and Texas. He is a graduate of Baylor University in Waco, Texas, who earned M.Div. and Th.D. degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth.
Jones can be contacted at 3 Dove Way Circle, Clinton, MS 39056.

    About the Author

  • William H. Perkins Jr.