Press Releases
8/20/04 Fullerton, CA - Dr. Medford Jones, former President of Hope International University passes away
The campus community of Hope International University has announced the death of former university president Dr. Medford Jones. Following a lengthy battle with cancer, Dr. Jones passed away last night while hospitalized for recent serious complications.
Born July 1, 1919 at Silver Lake, Oregon, Dr. Jones became a leader in the evangelical church growth movement where he convened the first Church Growth Colloquium, which drew key leaders from seventeen different denominations.
Early in his career, he served as minister of Liberty Christian Church, Superintendent of the Gospel Rescue Mission in Eugene, Oregon and minister of the Christian Church in Gosport, Indiana and Fleming Garden Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.
From 1949 to 1965, he conducted crusades in evangelism, stewardship and church growth in thirty-five different states. In 1965, Dr. Jones was appointed Professor of Church Growth at Emmanuel School of Religion and later received an appointment at Milligan College. In 1969, he became President of Pacific Christian College in Long Beach, California and led the college during the period of tremendous growth that led to the acquisition of the current campus in Fullerton, California. Since 1980, he has served as Dean and Professor of the School of Graduate Studies.
Dr. Jones is survived by three sons - Medford H. Jones II, Bob Oliver Jones and Terry Dale Jones. His wife of over fifty years, Vinnie Roena Oliver, passed away in 2002.
Family graveside services will be held Monday, August 23rd in Lancaster, CA. A memorial service for Dr. Jones will be held at the university campus in the Terraces Conference Center on Tuesday, August 24th at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Medford Jones Endowment Scholarship Fund at Hope International University. Donations may be sent to 2500 E Nutwood Ave, Fullerton, CA 92831.