Born on January 31, 1950, in Spanish Town, Jamaica, Bishop Noel Jones is one of seven children of Bishop Robert Jones, a politician and Apostolic clergyman, and Marjorie Jones. He was raised with his siblings, including actress and singer Grace Jones. The family relocated to Syracuse, New York, in 1965. At the age of 19, Bishop Jones received his call to ministry and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Theology from Aenon Bible College, later receiving an honorary doctoral degree from Life College and Seminary (formerly International Circle of Faith College). At 26, he became the pastor of Bethel Temple of Longview in Longview, Texas. In June 1994, Bishop Jones succeeded Bishop Robert W. McMurray as the pastor of Greater Bethany Community Church in South Los Angeles. Under his leadership, the church’s membership grew exponentially, prompting the acquisition of a new sanctuary in Gardena, California, in 2003. The newly established City of Refuge now serves over 20,000 members. The City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir released their debut album, Welcome to the City, in 2007, which charted on the Billboard 200 and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart.