- November 22, 2024
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Pastor Sims Jones, a community leader with God’s Love Ministry and a three-time candidate for Palm Coast City Council, died on Thursday, Nov. 16 at the age of 67.
Jones is survived by his wife, Philippa Jones, and their three children. A memorial service for the pastor will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at Lohman’s Funeral Home in Palm Coast.
Philippa Jones said her husband spent his life in the service of God and following the word of God to help people in need, regardless of where they came from.
“He spoke the truth, and he did not compromise when it came to [God’s word],” she said. “He would tell the people that I have to tell you what God's given me. ‘I'm telling you what you need to hear, not what you want,’ was his famous words.”
He spoke the truth, and he did not compromise when it came to [God’s word].”
— PHILIPPA JONES, wife of Pastor Sims Jones
Jones married Philippa in New York when he was 22 and she was 18. He formed God’s Love Ministry in New York City and later worked as a firefighter for 17 years before being injured in the line of duty. The two moved to Palm Coast in 2005.
Philippa Jones said her husband moved God’s Love Ministry to Palm Coast and began ministering to the community here. She said her husband involved himself wherever there was a need — mentoring troubled youth through the juvenile justice system; delivering food, hygiene products and toys to those in need; serving as chaplain for the local NAACP chapter; volunteering with the Flagler County Department of Health; and working with several other nonprofits throughout the years.
“He called himself a ‘fisherman of men,’” she said.
The two of them served as foster parents throughout the years. Jones helped the parents straighten out their lives and mentored the children, too, Philippa Jones said.
Sandra Shank, founder of Abundant Life Ministries-Hope House, Inc. and vice chair of the Palm Coast Planning Board, has known Jones for more than eight years. Jones was on the board of Abundant Life Ministries and volunteered as its representative for A Christmas to Remember, a special Christmas initiative for children who have open cases with the Department of Children and Families.
Jones spent his life acting as a servant for his community, Shank said.
“His passion was service and really helping the underprivileged, to make life easier for people who were struggling the most," she said.
Jones continued to serve the community and those in need faithfully, she said.
Even in the last two years, as his health began failing, he pushed himself to be involved with A Christmas to Remember.
“He was a true servant,” Shank said. “He had a true heart.”
Jones' desire to serve the community led him to run for Palm Coast City Council. Shank said he ran to represent the underserved communities.
“He felt like people didn't care about the little people,” she said. “He wanted to make sure that the little people had a voice.”
Jones embraced people of all faiths. Shank said that Jones was a unifier that way, and the community will feel a hole left behind by him. The best way to honor Jones, she said, is to build a more unified community, not one divided by politics, race and “all the issues that divide us.”
He was a wonderful example of a servant leader.”
— SANDRA SHANK, founder of Abundant Life Ministries-Hope House, Inc.
“He was a wonderful example of a servant leader,” Shank said. “Because he led through service, that was his first priority, and he wasn't looking for anything in return.”
Beyond his service, Jones was a family man.
One of Jones’ daughters, Nicole Zamor, said that as busy as he was, her father never missed a single milestone in their lives.
She said she’s going to miss the way the two of them would debate, his protectiveness, and how enthusiastic he was about the holidays.
“When it came to holidays, he was always there. He never missed a birthday,” Zamor said. “Never any of those big milestones that you expect a parent to be at.”
I don't really know how I can continue on with his legacy, but I'm sure going to try.”
— PHILIPPA JONES, wife of Pastor Sims Jones
Jones' son, Sims Jones III, said he learned many things from his father. The younger Jones, a pastor in Texas, said he will always remember how his father built the wooden pulpit that Sims Jones III still ministers from today.
Philippa said she and her husband were a team in their ministry. Whenever he went to minister to the community, she went with him. It was very hard letting him go, she said, but he is with God now.
“I don't really know how I can continue on with his legacy, but I'm sure going to try,” she said. “He was there for the people. And I'll be there for them too.”
