Bishop Derek Jones

With 35 years of experience in lay ministry, 15 years of experience in ordained pastoral ministry, and five years of experience in Episcopate ministry, Bishop Bishop Derek Jones also served his county as a combat fighter pilot and senior officer in the United States Air Force for more than 25 years. A respected leader, Derek Jones received numerous awards for his distinguished military service and worked as the Reserve Advisor to the Commander and Director of Staff with the Air Force Doctrine Center prior to his retirement in 2009.

Now retired from the military, Bishop Derek Jones serves concurrently as the Bishop of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy for the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) and as a Bishop in the Church of Nigeria serving with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA). Bishop Jones also oversees the Deanery for the Chaplaincy, training and educating Anglican chaplains. As founding bishop of the Deanery, Bishop Derek Jones has seen it grow tremendously since its beginnings in 2007. The Deanery is scheduled to become a diocese of the CANA and the ACNA in 2012.

Derek Jones holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Samford University near Birmingham, Alabama. He went on to earn his Master's at Samford's Beeson Divinity School and also studied music as Eastern New Mexico University, counseling at Liberty University, and aeronautical science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Along with his work as a bishop, Derek Jones finds time to volunteer with Sav-a-Life of Alabama, Special Equestrians, and the United States Pony Club. He was honored with a Presidential Service Citation in 2010 for his community service. He finds great joy in spending time with his wife, two daughters, and grandchild.