James F. Jones

Who was James F. Jones?

James Francis Marion Jones, also known as the Rt. Rev. Dr. James F. Jones, D.D and as 'Prophet Jones', was a black religious leader, televangelist, faith healer and pastor who led the religious movement that developed into the Church of Universal Triumph, Dominion of God, Inc. from 1938 until his death in 1971.

As 'Prophet Jones', James F. Jones claimed and his followers ascribed to him, divine powers from God as a special premillennial 'incarnation of the spirit of Jesus Christ'. Jones was a contemporary of other religious leaders at that time including Daddy Grace, Father Divine, C.L. Franklin, Charles Harrison Mason and Elijah Muhammad.

Jones came to Detroit as a missionary for the southern-based Pentecostal sect, Triumph the Church and Kingdom of God in Christ. He thus led two of the largest predominately black Pentecostal churches in Detroit during the 1940s and 1950s. He broadcast live weekly sermons over Canadian stations CKLW reaching the Midwest. In 1955 he began hosting Sunday night programs on WXYZ-TV, making him the first black preacher in Detroit to host a weekly television program. He was well known for his late-night services, which were broadcast in Detroit.