From Zona Camp to Christian Challenge campus missionary

Most collegiate missionaries are dedicated to one college or university campus. Parker Jones is unique in that he serves as an intercampus missionary, coordinating Christian Challenge at Glendale Community College, Arizona Christianity University and Grand Canyon University, not to mention, he also runs Christian Challenge’s young adult gathering at First Southern Baptist Church at Sahuaro Ranch in Glendale.

“[Many of the ministry dollars] we spend on Christian Challenge are provided through the Cooperative Program,” Jones said.

He support-raises his salary, but the Cooperative Program undergirds the ministry, with additional support from the Arizona Mission Offering, grants and donations.

“Many missionaries around the world have to support both their salaries and budgets,” Jones said. “I’m grateful I don’t have to weigh the pros and cons of buying a student a coffee during a gospel appointment or going without food myself.”

Jones is not only thankful but would argue collegiate ministry is Christendom’s greatest investment.

“College students are the most moldable and send-able generation on earth,” he said. “If they find Christ as they search for their identities, they can give their lives to the Great Commission.

“Unlike others who are anchored down, college students can go anywhere. The Cooperative Program allows us to buy resources to bring Christ to them and train them up into disciple-makers and missionaries.”

Before college, there’s Zona Camp, which Jones attended both as a student and leader.

“Zona was incredible as a student,” he said. “I could go to any of the classes being taught by pastors and ask questions and learn. For leaders, it’s the best first mission trip anyone could ever ask for. That’s where my [practice of] evangelism solidified.”

Zona exists partly through the Cooperative Program.

“Zona is a massive event that needs thousands of dollars to orchestrate,”

Jones said. “Again, well worth it. It’s all to bring the gospel to these students. My own best friend came to Christ at Zona Camp and is giving his life to ministry.”

Jones is pursuing a Master of Divinity degree at Gateway Seminary. He appreciates that his professors are dedicated to giving him practical tools, not just head knowledge.

“I have friends in other seminaries who aren’t getting as applicable information as I am,” he said.

Jones’ education is partly funded by the Cooperative Program.

“Every Southern Baptist seminary is about half off to SBC students because of the Cooperative Program,” he said. “Seminary went from being incredibly expensive and needing many loans to becoming quite achievable and possible. I would not be able to go to seminary if it wasn’t for the Cooperative Program.”

Claudia Macdonald, a freelance writer living in Phoenix, is a member of First Southern Baptist Church at Sahuaro Ranch, Glendale.