STEPHEN M. JONES

Stephen M. Jones, a minister for Community of Christ, was ordained as the Presiding Bishop, leader of the highest financial council of the church, in March 2007. Prior to this assignment, he had served as a counselor to the presiding bishop since April 1998.

A native of Moline, Illinois, Steve holds a master’s degree in religion from Park University, Parkville, Missouri; a master’s degree in health administration from St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri; and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois. He also has studied in London, England, and Hamburg, Germany.

Steve previously served as the director of Human Resource Ministries at the church’s international headquarters. Before accepting World Church appointment, he worked as chief operating officer of the North Iowa Mercy Health Center, Mason City, Iowa, for ten years. In 1976, he served as part of a World Church health team in Haiti.

Steve’s community involvement includes serving on the Board of Directors for Kansas City Hospice and the Board of Directors of the Healthcare Foundation of Greater Kansas City. He was elected “Business Leader of the Year 1995” through the Mason City, Iowa, Chamber of Commerce.

Steve is married to the former Jan Elaine Gruenewald. They have three children, Jennifer, Matthew, and Julianne, and one granddaughter, Sydney Lynne. His hobbies include travel, reading, and walking.

Community of Christ International Headquarters is located in Independence, Missouri.