Bishop Noel Jones Wife: Loretta’s Journey to First Lady
Bishop Noel Jones married Loretta Jones in 2022 after 28 years together. Their relationship evolved from longtime partners to husband and wife when the 72-year-old pastor finally proposed at a church event.
The Long-Awaited Marriage of Bishop Noel Jones and Loretta Jones
Bishop Noel Jones, the senior pastor of the City of Refuge Church in Gardena, California, surprised his congregation when he announced his decision to marry Loretta after 28 years of being together. The couple’s journey from a long-term relationship to marriage captured public attention, especially since Jones was previously a cast member on the reality show “Preachers of LA,” where their unmarried status was often discussed.
The Proposal That Shocked the Congregation
During a church event in early 2022, Bishop Jones made the unexpected announcement that changed everything. Standing center stage, he began talking about aging before suddenly declaring, “I decided that I’m gonna get married.” The congregation erupted in cheers as he called Loretta to join him on stage. The 72-year-old pastor then shared his thought process, questioning whether he should “give up my freedom coat for a strait jacket” and “give up not having to answer to anybody.”
This public proposal marked the end of nearly three decades of an unmarried partnership and the beginning of their official union as husband and wife. The wedding took place in June 2022, with the couple finally tying the knot after what many considered an unusually long courtship period.
The 28-Year Relationship Before Marriage
The relationship between Bishop Jones and Loretta began when he was 44 years old. By the time they married, Jones had reached the age of 72, meaning they had spent more than a quarter-century together without formalizing their union. This lengthy period as unmarried partners raised questions among church members and observers, especially given Jones’ position as a prominent religious leader.
During their years together, the couple maintained their relationship while Jones led his growing congregation. The City of Refuge Church expanded significantly under his leadership, growing from approximately 1,000 members when he took over in 1994 to around 17,000 members today. Throughout this period of ministry growth, Loretta remained by his side, though without the official title of “First Lady” that would come with marriage.
Who Is Bishop Noel Jones?
To understand the significance of this marriage, it’s important to know more about Bishop Noel Jones himself. Born on January 31, 1950, in Spanish Town, Jamaica, Jones is a prominent Pentecostal bishop and minister who has built a significant religious following in the United States.
Early Life and Family Background
Noel Jones was one of seven children born to Bishop Robert Jones, who worked as both a politician and an Apostolic clergyman, and his wife Marjorie. Perhaps his most famous sibling is Grace Jones, the internationally known actress and singer. In 1965, his parents relocated to Syracuse, New York, bringing Noel and his siblings Chris and Grace with them to start a new life in the United States.
Education and Call to Ministry
Jones received his call to ministry at the relatively young age of 19. His educational background includes attendance at St. Jago High School, followed by theological training at Aenon Bible College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Theology degree. Later in his career, he received an honorary doctoral degree from the International Circle of Faith College (now known as Life College and Seminary).
His first pastoral position came at age 26 when he accepted leadership of Bethel Temple of Longview in Longview, Texas. This early ministry experience laid the foundation for his later work as a church leader.
Rise to Prominence at City of Refuge Church
In June 1994, Jones took over as pastor of Greater Bethany Community Church in South Los Angeles, California, following Bishop Robert W. McMurray. At that time, the congregation numbered approximately 1,000 members. Under Jones’ leadership, the church experienced remarkable growth, necessitating a move to a larger facility.
In 2003, the church acquired a new building in Gardena, California, and was renamed “The City of Refuge.” This new sanctuary accommodates the church’s expanded membership of 17,000 people. The church has also developed a notable music ministry, with its choir, the City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir, releasing a debut album in 2007 titled “Welcome to the City” that reached number one on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart.
Previous Marriage and Family Life
Bishop Noel Jones’ relationship with Loretta was not his first marriage, which adds another layer to their story. His personal history includes a previous marriage and children.
First Marriage to Ruth Jones
Before his relationship with Loretta, Noel Jones was married to Ruth Jones. This marriage ended in divorce in 1992, just two years before he would take over as pastor at Greater Bethany Community Church. The details surrounding the divorce have not been widely publicized, though it has been a topic of speculation among followers and critics.
Children and Family Responsibilities
Throughout his public ministry, Jones has maintained some privacy regarding his family life. Records indicate that he has four children, though details about them are not extensively documented in public sources. These family responsibilities have been part of his life while simultaneously leading one of the largest congregations in California.
The Decision to Remarry
Part of the reason for Jones’ lengthy courtship with Loretta before marriage may have been connected to his views on divorce and remarriage. According to one source, “Part of the reason why Bishop Noel Jones took reportedly 28 years to marry his wife Loretta in 2022 is because his first wife (now ex-wife following their divorce) is still alive…” This suggests that Jones may have had theological reservations about remarriage while his former spouse was still living.
The same source references 1 Corinthians 7:39, which states, “A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.” This biblical perspective may have influenced Jones’ approach to his relationship with Loretta, though he eventually did decide to remarry despite these considerations.
Loretta Jones: From Longtime Partner to First Lady
While much of the public attention has focused on Bishop Noel Jones due to his prominence as a religious leader, Loretta Jones has her own story and has now stepped into the role of First Lady at City of Refuge Church.
Life Before Marriage
Information about Loretta’s life before her relationship with Bishop Jones is limited in public sources. What is known is that she maintained a relationship with him for 28 years before they married, beginning when he was 44 years old. During this time, she supported his ministry work without the official recognition that would come with marriage.
Transition to First Lady
After their wedding in June 2022, Loretta officially became First Lady of City of Refuge Church. This title carries significant responsibilities in many Black church traditions, with the pastor’s wife often taking on leadership roles with women’s ministries and other church functions. The transition from longtime partner to First Lady represented a significant change in her public role within the church community.
The Church Attack Incident
Unfortunately, Loretta Jones faced a disturbing incident in her role as First Lady. On Sunday, August 13, 2023, she was attacked during a worship service at City of Refuge Church. A woman named Regina Adams reportedly assaulted First Lady Loretta Jones, with some allegations suggesting that Jones was knocked unconscious during the attack.
The incident occurred at the end of the service, after Bishop Jones had completed the altar call. Video footage showed that while there were men guarding the pulpit earlier in the service, the attack happened at a moment when security might have been less vigilant as people were expected to be coming forward to give their lives to Christ.
Following the attack, church members restrained Regina Adams, pinning her to the ground while Loretta Jones was escorted out of the sanctuary. The motivation behind the attack remains unclear, as it has not been verified whether First Lady Jones even knew her attacker prior to the incident.
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Public Reaction and Controversies
The relationship between Bishop Jones and Loretta, both before and after their marriage, has generated various reactions from the public, church members, and religious observers.
Criticism of Their Long Unmarried Relationship
Some critics questioned the propriety of a prominent pastor maintaining a long-term relationship without marriage. Comments on articles about their wedding reveal divided opinions, with some suggesting that their unmarried status represented a poor example for the congregation. One commenter asked, “Why was this man leading a flock if he’s been in adultery with a woman for 28 years?”
Others questioned Jones’ motives for finally marrying after so many years: “Did he get married because he got caught? Is the example he is setting for his follower’s sun is ok as long as you don’t get caught?” These criticisms reflect concerns about moral leadership within religious communities.
Support and Congratulations
Despite the criticisms, many church members and supporters expressed joy and congratulations when the couple finally married. The wedding photos shared online showed a celebration of their union, with one commenter simply stating, “Beautiful pictures of your marriage. Only God knows best.”
For many supporters, the marriage represented the formalization of a committed relationship that had endured for nearly three decades, regardless of the timing.
Jones’ Response to Criticism
When faced with questions about his personal life, Bishop Jones has occasionally addressed the criticism directly. During a reunion episode of “Preachers of LA,” when asked about marriage, he reportedly said, “This time around, I’m not selecting anyone for the church or the broader community, it has to be for me.”
This statement suggests that Jones felt his previous marriage may have been influenced by external expectations rather than personal compatibility, and that he was approaching his relationship with Loretta differently.
The Impact on Their Ministry
The marriage of Bishop Jones and Loretta has implications for their ministry work at City of Refuge Church and beyond.
Changes in Church Dynamics
The formalization of their relationship through marriage likely changed certain dynamics within the church. With Loretta now officially serving as First Lady, she may have taken on more formal responsibilities within the ministry. This transition could affect women’s ministries, counseling services, and other aspects of church life where the pastor’s spouse traditionally plays a role.
Public Perception and Credibility
For religious leaders, personal life choices often impact public perception and ministerial credibility. The decision to marry after 28 years together may have addressed some concerns about their relationship status, potentially strengthening Jones’ position as a moral authority within his community. At the same time, questions about the lengthy delay before marriage remain part of the public conversation about his ministry.
Future Ministry Direction
As a married couple in their 70s, Bishop and First Lady Jones face different challenges and opportunities than they did as unmarried partners. Their shared leadership at City of Refuge Church continues to influence thousands of congregants, with their personal story now including this new chapter as husband and wife.
Reflections on Marriage in Religious Leadership
The story of Bishop Noel Jones and Loretta Jones raises broader questions about marriage, relationships, and leadership within religious communities.
Expectations for Religious Leaders
Religious leaders often face heightened expectations regarding their personal relationships. The scrutiny of Jones’ long-term unmarried relationship highlights the tension between personal choices and public ministry. Many religious traditions expect clergy to model the behaviors and values they preach, making their relationship choices subject to community judgment.
Biblical Perspectives on Remarriage
Jones’ apparent hesitation to remarry while his ex-wife was still living points to theological considerations that influence relationship decisions in religious communities. Different interpretations of biblical passages regarding divorce and remarriage continue to shape how religious leaders approach these personal decisions, sometimes leading to complex situations like the 28-year courtship between Jones and Loretta.
Balancing Private Life and Public Ministry
The challenge of balancing private relationship choices with public ministry responsibilities is evident in the Jones’ story. Religious leaders must navigate personal happiness and fulfillment while considering how their choices affect their congregations and public witness. This balancing act remains a constant challenge for those in positions of spiritual authority.
Samantha Yates is a creative writer and journalist with expertise in content creation and editing. She holds an MA in Creative Writing and brings professional experience from Lionbridge, where she developed engaging content for leading technology companies
