Welcome to CrossLife Ministries!

Our Vision:   Proclaim Christ in AZ, USA & Worldwide in order to build worshipping Bodies for His glory.

Brief History
CrossLife Ministries started out of a rich local history. First Baptist Church of Tucson started in 1881, the same year of the shootout at the OK Corral! This church, for most of its history, was led by Dr. Richard Beal. He served as their pastor for 50 years before he retired in 1969. During his ministry the church grew and had an extensive ministry to university students. However, like many downtown churches, FBC began to decline in the 80's and eventually closed in 2008.   As the Founder and International Director, John Jones believes churches have life cycles just as people do. We celebrate the rich history of FBC. It lasted for 127 years and most of these years were good years!

CrossLife Ministries seeks to carry on the legacy of Dr. Beal in church planting both locally and around the world.  Dr. Beal was a man on fire for missions, both locally, in the USA and worldwide.  Our burden is to utilize every penny of our God given resources to wisely and boldy carry out this vision. Why not see many baptist churches planted all over AZ, the USA and the world for His glory? Would that not honor this man's legacy the most?   We have a "sacred trust" handed to us by FBC members of old to multiply our talents by expanding His Kingdom everywhere.  To bury our talents out of "fear" is a sin that will invite rebuke when Christ returns (Matt. 25:25-30). The board of CrossLife have one passion: to multiply His resources to plant many baptistic Bodies everywhere----in Tucson, the USA and the World.

John's role as the Int. Director is to lead the CrossLife board forward in the implementation of this vision. 

John brings to CLM 30 years of experience in church leadership of which 20 were in the Asian context.  John's field role will primarily be concentrated on mobilizing nationals to plant churches among the many unreached people groups of our planet.  In addition, he will be involved in the process of launching new churches in the USA as well.  John is a graduate from the Univ. of Texas (B.S.), Dallas Seminary (ThM) and currently is a DMin. student at Golden Gate Baptist Seminary in Phoenix.  We do need your prayers for the many opportunities available to us to plant CrossLife "baptistic" churches His glory!

In both overseas and in the USA, we work in partnership with organizations who simply aim to plant independent New Testament "grace oriented" churches in strategic areas----- where no viable church exists.  Our partnerships will consist of working with groups that appreciate our ministry philosophy, doctrinal position and Baptistic heritage.

Founder's Family
John and Jenny have two married children, a son in college and one grandchild. All of his children are believers. His oldest is married to a college pastor serving in N.C.. They have a one year old baby. His second daughter, after graduating from Southwestern Seminary, is on staff at NorthWest Bible church in the Houston area, ministering to High school/Jr. High girls.  Her husband is still in law school.  John's son just began his first year at Pima Community College in Tucson.

     John and Jenny have served cross culturally among Chinese and Asians since 1981 and currently reside in Tucson, AZ.