NEW ADVICE COLUMN, “ASK PASTOR JONES,” LAUNCHES TO ADDRESS FAITH AND SEXUALITY IN THE LGBT COMMUNITY

ABOUT PASTOR MITCHELL JONES | To thine own self be true!

Pastor Mitchell Jones, 43, grew up in Virginia in a large, God-fearing home with six brothers and two sisters, and loving parents, who celebrated 56 years of marriage this summer. At the age of 5, Jones knew he was attracted to a boy and a girl in his kindergarten class. By the age of 11, he began experimenting and exploring his sexuality and attraction to the same sex. But, his sexual proclivity posed a problem since he was raised in the church under a strict Southern Baptist upbringing. In fact, his mother was a church organist, and at 9 years old, he began playing the piano/organ by ear, without any formal training.

Because Jones’s sexual tendencies were in direct conflict with his religious beliefs, he repressed his feelings, thinking he was going through “a phase.” Plus, more importantly, his faith dictated that being gay would condemn a person to hell. At 23, he began preaching and pastoring a non-denominational in Richmond, Virginia. Years later, Jones married a mother of three, and the couple had two children of their own. (In an act of full disclosure, Jones discussed his past attraction to men prior to getting married.) 

After 13 years of pastoring, counseling and teaching, Jones began to have new interpretations of the Word. He discovered other facets of his spirituality, which shifted his sermons from traditional religious teachings to a more progressive approach to spirituality. This shift resulted in a mass exodus by members of his congregation, and for now, Jones has stepped away from the pulpit. For the past six years, he’s led small Bible-study groups, helping others to understand their spiritual path for optimum personal growth in living a purposeful life. 

With a renewed sense of clarity and personal acceptance, Jones ended his 5-year marriage to live an authentic life. He’s embraced his true self through years of self-discovery and self-actualization.  Gone is the feeling of shame and damnation. Jones realizes the power of God’s love in his life.  Today, he’s in a committed and loving same-sex relationship, accepted by family and friends. 

ABOUT IYANLA VANZANT

Iyanla Vanzant is the host and executive producer of Oprah Winfrey Network’s critically-acclaimed and award-winning series “Iyanla, Fix My Life" and one of the most popular teachers on "Oprah's Lifeclass." She is a mother, survivor, spiritual life coach, empowerment orator, minister, two-time NAACP Image® Award winner and five-time New York Times best-selling author whose focus on faith, personal development and loving relationships has captivated and inspired audiences around the world. In addition, Iyanla is also a regular contributor to O, The Oprah Magazine and has been featured in numerous publications as well as on the cover of Essence magazine. A prolific writer, she has published 16 books that have been translated into 23 languages and sold millions of copies. Her most recent book is “Forgiveness: 21 Days to Forgive Everyone for Everything.” When not writing or appearing on television, Iyanla lectures and facilitates workshops nationally and internationally. With her no-nonsense approach and underlying message of, “live better by loving yourself,” Iyanla has ignited a universal spark of self-discovery. 

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