My name is Janet Jones, and I have been married to Pastor Clayton Jones of Franklin, Wisconsin for 64 years – 65 years on August 9th, 2023. We were both 19 years old when we got married. We both had jobs and we were very religious—never missed church, belonged to the choir, and helped with the youth group.

By the time we were 24 years old, we had 3 children. In the next 6 years, my husband was an usher and was on the Board of Education of the Parochial school that our children attended.

As is the case with most religious people, we were involved in worldly activities which never brought us happiness. We fought a lot and our marriage was in serious trouble. Through the invitation of a Pastor we had met through some large Youth Group Rallies, we were encouraged to attend a week at a Bible Camp in Minnesota in July of 1970.

It was there that week that we met the Lord Jesus Christ as our PERSONAL Savior! My husband accepted Christ on Wednesday evening and I accepted Christ on Thursday. Our 11-year-old daughter was saved that same day and she explained to her 9-year-old brother how to be saved. Our 7-year-old daughter trusted Christ in her Bible Class at Camp that week also.

Our lives changed DRAMATICALLY! Immediately, no more smoking or drinking or worldly entertainment. Our religious friends shunned us. Our church didn’t want to hear of our experience. The children got F’s on their tests because they would not say that their infant baptism saved them. They said we got mixed up at that Bible Camp. But we were happy in the Lord and stayed in that church and actually held a Bible Study in our home which was attended by some of the teachers in that Parochial school who had made professions of saving faith through gospel witnesses of friends or TV ministers.
In 1972, my husband attended a Bible Conference and answered God’s call to preach the Gospel. We went away to Bible College in January of 1973. Our children were able to attend school there from elementary school through college on the same campus with their father.

Today, each of our children still professes Christ and His saving Grace at that Bible Camp. They are all in church raising their children and grandchildren under the Word of God. Our son is our Associate Pastor. Our two daughters and their families live in other states.

It is ONLY by the GRACE OF GOD that we are married 64+ years AND that HE has blessed us so much more than we deserve. To God be the Glory! Great things He hath done!

Marriage Advice: The only thing better than falling in love – is staying there.