Jacob Jones

I was born on March 3, 1986, in North Alabama. My grandfather, Troy L. Horton, was a passionate preacher of the Gospel in the UPCI and several independent Apostolic churches. As a child, I spent many church services playing with Hot Wheels under the pew while he preached with fiery conviction. It never crossed my mind that the powerful presence in those services had anything to do with me personally.

At the age of 12, my life took a turn when a lady from The First United Pentecostal Church of Gadsden, AL (now known as Church on the Rock) invited me and my sister to attend services. Week after week, she faithfully brought us to church, and one day after a service, I was invited to the altar. For the first time, I became keenly aware of God's presence and realized that He was paying attention to me.

That same year, I was baptized in Jesus' name at the age of 12 and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost two years later. It took me two years to receive the Holy Ghost, and during that time, I prayed every day, determined not to "lose" it. This daily devotion led to something incredible. After six months of praying faithfully, God gave me a dream in which a prophet told me that I had been given a great mission. This dream was special for two reasons: first, it was so vivid and real; and second, I rarely remember my dreams, having only recalled about three in my entire life. This dream, however, was undeniable.

I kept this dream to myself for two years. At the age of 16, while my pastor was preaching about calling and purpose, I could not suppress the dream any longer. During his sermon, he paused, looked directly at me, and said, "God gave you a dream, and you keep trying to forget it, but it was from God. He has given you a great mission, and one day millions will be reached through your ministry. When you get to Heaven, many will come and thank you, but you will point to the throne and say, 'It wasn’t me, it was Him.'" This moment was overwhelming and public, and I could no longer keep the dream a secret. But I still didn’t know what that mission was.

As I graduated from high school, the weight of this calling grew heavier, especially after losing my grandfather. Fear of failure caused me to run from my calling for eight years. I spent five of those years in the Marines, hoping to escape the pull of God’s call. But no matter where I went, that call never stopped pursuing me.

In 2012, I returned to an Apostolic church in Escondido, California, pastored by Darin Sargent. I prayed through and tried to lay low, feeling unworthy of being used by God after all I had done. But I wasn’t content. God’s call was still drawing me. One evening at the altar, a man spoke a word of prophecy over me, saying, “I have not forgotten the dream I gave you, and soon you will use the powerful gift I’ve given you.” At that moment, I knew that God had not abandoned His plan for my life.

Today, I am fully committed to ministry, licensed with the UPCI, and preparing for the “great mission” that God has for me. I’ve written a Bible study called "Follow Him," which I believe will lead millions to the truth of God’s Word. All glory belongs to Him, and I am excited to see His plan unfold in my life.

To make a long story short, I'm fully involved in ministry now. I'm licensed with the UPCI, and I'm preparing for that "great mission" soon. I've written my own Bible Study that I hope will lead millions to the Truth and to God be the glory!