Featured Elder of the Month: Dolores Jones

FRESNO, Calif. — This month’s Elder Spotlight introduces Dolores Jones, head elder at All Nations Adventist Church in Fresno. With nearly five decades of ministry experience, Dolores embodies a lifetime of devotion—first as a pastor’s wife and now as a spiritual anchor for her multicultural congregation.

A Childhood Shaped by Scripture

Dolores first met Jesus at just three years old. “My mother was a Bible Worker and a God-fearing woman,” she said. “She gathered her eight children every morning and evening, teaching us to memorize entire chapters like Psalm 91, reminding us we would need that comfort in the last days.” Those early lessons in reverence—“not running when someone was talking to Him”—forged a faith that still guides her steps.

From Pastor’s Wife to Head Elder

After 49 years standing beside her late husband in pastoral ministry, Dolores now counts it a “privilege and honor” to serve as head elder. Her focus is clear: pray for, encourage, and support Pastor Bryan Bong as together they nurture the needs of the church family. “It gives me the greatest joy to watch him baptize and prepare many souls for the Kingdom of Heaven,” she reflected.

A Glimpse of Heaven

“All Nations is a very unique congregation,” Dolores said. “We represent various nationalities and cultures of the world, and we love each other. We are a glimpse of what the family in Heaven will look like.” Each Sabbath the fellowship hall is decorated “as if we expected the Conference President and his wife to be our honored guests,” she added—evidence of the congregation’s warmth and hospitality.

Joy in Service

Having witnessed her late husband’s loving leadership, Dolores says her greatest joy now comes from standing beside and supporting Pastor Bong’s ministry. Weekly potlucks, vibrant worship, and a culture of mutual care fuel her passion for service. “Our pastor loves God and his congregation. He feeds us living words from our Heavenly Father each week, and we love him and his precious family,” she said.

How to Pray

Dolores invites the entire Central California Conference to pray for “the anointing of the Holy Spirit in the lives of our church family” as All Nations expands its digital-media outreach to share Jesus with the community, the conference, and the world.

Written by Bryan Bong