Austin Jones is the new pastor of Neely’s Bend Baptist Church. He came to Neely’s Bend as part of a revitalization effort embraced by the congregation. Get to know Austin a little better in this pastor profile.
I grew up in a small community in northwest Alabama called Gravel Hill. It was a short distance away from Phil Campbell, AL where I went to elementary school and high school. Growing up I spent much of my time outdoors hunting, fishing, riding ATVs, and playing a lot of baseball and even today still enjoy doing those things when the opportunity comes. I have an older brother and a younger sister. In 2015 I met Ashton, and we got married in February of 2019. We have a daughter, Auden, who just turned one in September.
In the small community that I grew up in my parents attended Gravel Hill Missionary Baptist Church and it was there that the Lord saved me. I was 11 years old. Four years later the Lord would begin to work on my heart toward a call to preach and in January of 2010 I surrendered to the ministry. I did not know what that meant at the time, I just knew I was supposed to preach.
In May of 2018 I completed my undergrad degree in Special Education from Athens State University. I would teach Special Education for two years before the Lord moved my wife and I to Kansas City to attend Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I graduated with a Master of Divinity in May of 2023. The day after graduation we moved to Nashville for me to begin serving as pastor at Neely’s Bend Baptist Church. We are grateful to be serving the Lord here in Nashville and at Neely’s Bend.
What is your favorite local Nashville restaurant?
We have only been here since May of 2023, so we haven’t had the opportunity to explore many restaurants yet, but Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint did not disappoint. In KC we really enjoyed Raising Canes and it is delightful to see more of them coming to Nashville now.
How would you spend a day off with no ministry responsibilities?
At this stage in my life with a little one, having a day off means I’m spending time with my family. Lately, we have went on a few different short hikes to see some of Tennessee’s great waterfalls.
What Bible verse or passage is particularly meaningful to you right now?
Psalms 78:72. It is a passage about how David was chosen to shepherd the people of Israel. It translates over to pastoral ministry really well and as a new pastor it has helped me to shepherd with a heart of integrity and guide with skilled hands.
Is there a quote that has stuck with you and influenced the way you have thought or behaved?
Several years ago, I heard the phrase “preach the gospel to yourself daily.” It has helped me to keep a gospel perspective on everything in life and even in ministry because the reality is we are all sinners.
What is one exciting thing God is doing in your church right now?
We recently served free coffee and donuts via a drive thru service to the morning commuters out of the bend to serve and get to know our community better. We had almost 40 cars stop by on a Tuesday morning! The group that helped lead this determined they wanted to do it every month and that is exciting!