After 11 years at helm, TBDR director stepping down in Jan.
MOUNT JULIET — When Wes Jones was handed the reins of Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief director (now specialist) in September of 2015, he recalled a story he was told before assuming his new role.
A Tennessee Baptist Mission Board staff member shared that the position is “a simple job. Not much happens around here,” Jones laughed.
“I had one month of a simple job before things hit the fan (Hurricane Joaquin caused historic flooding in South Carolina) and they have been hitting the fan ever since,” he said. “We have had call out after call out after call out. It’s been amazing.”
The call outs will soon end for Jones. He recently announced he will retire as disaster relief specialist on Jan. 31, 2027.
During his tenure, Jones has been involved in 187 known responses, which represents more than half of the 358 known responses in the 46-year history of Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief.
Fortunately, Jones, a former missionary with both the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board, was well acquainted with Southern Baptist DR.
While serving as a director of missions in Iowa he directed the association’s DR team and participated on major call outs from the North American Mission Board which oversaw DR efforts.
He met a number of Tennessee Baptist DR volunteers while serving as a volunteer during a major response in Haiti. “I was impressed with how David Acres (former TBDR director) and a team of volunteers came and worked really hard that week.”
When Acres retired, Jones expressed an interest in the position and when he was offered the job, he and his wife, Pam, transitioned to Tennessee. He is glad he did.
“One of my highlights has been seeing the people of Tennessee, specifically the volunteers, who respond time after time. “The volunteers have impressed me the most — their willingness to serve over and over again to share Jesus with hurting people in the midst of disasters.”
Jones said the secret to disaster relief work is having a solid network of supporters — and that’s exactly what he’s had during his time at TBMB.
“I am so amazed and grateful for the support of Tennessee Baptist churches and individuals who have given through the CP and GOTM,” Jones said. “They have given sacrificially to allow us to meet the basic needs of people affected by a disaster.”
Jones was on the scene when TBDR celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2018. Jones told those attending the celebration that day, “We’re here today because for 40 years Tennessee Baptists have been responding in a united, cooperative manner to disaster. From earthquakes to tsunamis, from floods to fires, from tornadoes to ice storms and terrorist attacks, the men and women of Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief have shown up to assist.”
He added that Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief “is built upon people loving God and loving their fellow man.”
The willingness of volunteers to serve also was one of Jones’ greatest challenges. While facing so many back-to-back disaster over the years, it taxed the volunteers, he noted. “We’re still limited in the number of volunteers we have, but the good thing is that we are connected to the larger network of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief which provides resources in those times when the work is more than we can do ourselves.”
Jones has dealt with disasters of all types during his tenure, including the Gatlinburg wildfires in 2016 and tornadoes in midst of a nationwide shutdown due to COVID-19 in 2020, but the one that stands out the most is Hurricane Helene in 2024, he said.
He called it the most significant natural disaster in Tennessee, at least during his tenure. Tennessee has had remnants of other hurricanes which cause flooding but not the hurricane-force winds that portions of East Tennessee faced, he said.
Jones is proud that most of the volunteer help came from the Volunteer State. “We had some outside help, but not a lot. Our teams kept going and going. They’re still going even to this day to assist in the rebuilding that is continuing.”
One of the biggest blessings he has taken from his tenure besides seeing volunteers share the love of Jesus has been the willingness of volunteers to step up and meet needs in their own communities, Jones noted. Jones said that DR volunteers sometimes have had a tendency to sit around waiting for the next “big disaster” that may or may not come.
“I tried to get volunteers to do things locally in order to stay involved. I have been impressed with the local leaders who are doing that and serving their own communities. He cited one team that built about 80 ramps for those in need in their community last year. “It doesn’t have to be complicated. They just need to find some way they can serve and help out in their communities.”
Those who have worked close with Jones throughout his tenure in Tennessee know his commitment and love for DR ministry.
“Wes is one of those ‘get ’er done’ guys,” said William Maxwell, chief administrative officer for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and Jones’ supervisor. “No matter the obstacles faced in a disaster, he figured out how to get things done and to get help to the people who needed it.
“But his most outstanding feature was how he emphasized that disaster relief was not just about cutting trees, shoveling mud or cooking meals. To Wes, the most important issue was sharing the love of Christ with everyone he encountered. … It is just who he is.”
Elizabeth Holmes, who has been his administrative assistant during his entire tenure, observed that Jones “is on call 24/7, 365 days a year, even during vacation. He has an unwavering commitment to his mission.”
She also noted that his “willingness to support local volunteers, offering support and counsel, speaks volumes about his character. I will greatly miss him.”
Jones said he plans to remain involved in disaster relief during retirement. He and his wife, Pam, plan to remain in the state and when they are not traveling to visit their two daughters, eight grandchildren and a great grandchild who “is on the way,” he will assist when needed at the Missions Mobilization Center in Mount Juliet, where Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief is housed.
“I hope to help out the new leader to help take care of the equipment and facility if needed,” Jones said. “Taking care of the facilities is a challenge, in addition to the DR work,” he said.
Jones said he is grateful for the opportunities his role as DR director has provided, and said he is especially appreciative of those who have supported him through the past dozen years.
“I am so thankful for TBMB Leadership, the DR volunteers, churches and associations for their prayers and support,” Jones said. “It has been my privilege and honor to serve you, and any glory belongs to God alone.” B&R