“Rev. James Jones to Return to the City for Two Services.” Indianapolis Recorder, July 24, 1971, p. 15 – Transcript || Annotation || Archive || Back
A former prominent Indianapolis pastor of People’s Temple Christian Church, 10th and Delaware, and now of Redwood Valley, Cal., Rev. James (Jim) Jones, will return to the city Tuesday and Wednesday, July 27-28, to conduct prophetic healing evangelistic services. He will speak at 7:30 p.m. each night at the 10th and Delaware location.
An esteemed Christian man, Rev. Jones left Indianapolis six or seven years ago after suffering racial oppression brought on by the fact he has a racially and enthnically (sic!) integrated family. Two hundred members followed him to California and there are presently 2,500 interracial members of the church he now pastors having the same names as the one in Indianapolis.
The entourage will travel to Indianapolis aboard five air-conditioned buses owned by the church. Although in Redwood Valley only a short period of time, the church has grown in statue (sic!).
Rev. Jones has been travelling extensively and people have faith in his “supernatural awareness.” His prophecy has been accurate in a number of cases and his faith healing has been marvelled by many.
He has a sincere concern for his fellow man and stresses brotherhood. Through him, Christ is made real anew, as evidenced through the most detailed revelations or discernment.
Rev. Jones is a school teacher, former Human Rights Commissioner, grand jury foreman, and present president of the Legal Rights Foundation. He has love for all people from every ethnic background, a love proven by his adoption of six children from varying backgrounds.
Rev. Jones’ gift of ministry has increased a 100 fold effectiveness since his Indiana days. Branches of his church have been established in Los Angeles, Fresno, and San Francisco, Cal. The main temple is situated on 11 beautiful acres in the Redwoods.
People’s Temple of Redwood Valley has a 200 mixed voice youth choir – half the congregation is under 21. Any child may take music lesson who wants to play some instrument. There are 10 members of the young people’s band and there is an identity between the old and young members.
Rev. Jones, who served as the first director of the local Human Rights Commission, conducts services at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. each Sunday. There is a free buffet dinner and the members may swim in the church’s pool, ride horses or ponies, or partake in any of a variety of other recreational facilities.
Members are taught how to relate to the church, socially, politically, and economically. A drug rehabilitation program, which has been highly praised, give free treatment to addicts – many of whom are on heroin.
Any young member wanting to go to college may do so through arrangements with the church.
A monthly birthday party is given for celebrants and equal cost gifts are presented.
There is a counseling session from members also. The congregation includes persons from all walks of life. Tutoring is offered children on Thursday nights by social workers and teachers who are members of the church. The record shows no student of People’s Temple has ever “flunked” a course. Some have risen from the ghettos to become scholars. All they needed to know was that “somebody cares” and this is what Rev. Jones’ People’s Temple illustrates.
There is a senior citizens home which gives complete care to the parishioners. It also has a beautiful organic garden, a refuge shelter, hailed as the best in the state, and several acres of orchards to serve the two large college dormitories owned by the Temple which is providing education to 45 wonderful youth in law, medicine and many other ares of human service.
Rev. Jones is president of the Mendocino and Lake county Federally Funded Legal Service. He is the only non-lawyer trustee to serve on the advisory board for the aged of the office of Economic Opportunity (OEO).
The noted pastor has been teaching in the adult education department of Ukich, Cal., Unified School District. He is a member of the Juvenile Justice Commission, School Advisory Board and other state and national posts.
Turn out to see this wonderful man of God. Tuesday and Wednesday, July 27-28 at People’s Temple Christian Church, 10th and Delaware.