Jarene Cornithia Cooper Jones is one of two children born to Elder James (deceased) and Pastor Clarine B. Cooper of Norfolk, Virginia. She attended public schools in Norfolk City and Virginia Beach City. Jarene graduated from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree and was a member of the world-renowned Morgan State University Choir. Jarene also received her Master of Arts degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia.
As a child, Jarene was reared in a Christian God-fearing home. The family attended the Solid Rock Church of Christ Disciples of Christ in Norfolk, Virginia. Later, when her father became Pastor of the Deep Creek Church of Christ Disciples of Christ, Chesapeake, Virginia, the family worshiped there for a time. Founded by Pastor’s Clarine and James Cooper, Philippian Temple Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Norfolk, Virginia would then become the family’s place of worship.
On a visit home from college, Jarene received Christ and was baptized in the Holy Spirit at a weekend Youth Revival. After graduating from Morgan State University in 1981 she was employed as a teacher in Fairfax County (Northern Virginia) before retiring in June of 2013. Jarene joined the Bibleway Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ Worldwide in Washington, D.C., in 1984 where Bishop Smallwood E. Williams was founder and Pastor at that time. While at Bibleway, Jarene served in several capacities and made lifetime friends. She studied at the Evangelical Training Association Institute, served as Faithful Fellowship Club member and musician and as an “Alter Worker” for Monday Night Services.
Later, Jarene relocated to Manassas, Virginia, where she attended the City of Refuge Church, under the leadership of Pastor Glen E. Jenkins and First Lady Marguerite Jenkins. There she served as Alter Worker, Children’s Church Teacher, Youth Sunday School Teacher, member of the Finance and Hospitality Committees, Presbyterian Board Member, Adult Sunday School Teacher, Cell Group Co-leader, Adult Praise Team Leader, Minister’s Class Member and Teen Praise Team Director.
After receiving the divine call to ministry, Jarene preached her initial sermon in February 2014 at the City of Refuge Church in Manassas, Virginia. She now desires to formally embrace the divine call upon her life.
Jarene was instrumental in establishing the Greater Hampton Roads Chapter of the Morgan State Alumni Association and has recently been appointed Chaplin. She is a member of the Omicron Pi Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and also a recipient of the “Who’s Who Among American Teachers” award.
Jarene is married to Elder Michael T. Jones of Washington, D.C., who is founder and Pastor of the City of Refuge II Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Jarene desires to witness and encourage all individuals to reach their full potential and purpose that God has ordained specifically for them using biblical principles.
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11