King of Prussia, PA — International Ministries (IM) announces the retirement of Rev. Carmella Jones on July 31, 2026. Her faithful service as a global servant and regional consultant has impacted lives through ministries of education, healthcare and pastoral care.

Commissioned as a global servant in January 2017, Carmella served in partnership with Hungarian Baptist Aid. She used her decades of nursing experience and theological training to minister to some of Hungary’s most vulnerable populations.

Her role as a school chaplain and teacher enabled Carmella to support the spiritual, emotional and educational needs of children. It also helped her build meaningful relationships with families and local ministry leaders.

Carmella’s path to global mission began far before her commissioning. In 1981, she earned a nursing degree from Saginaw Valley College in Michigan. After many years as a Registered Nurse (RN), she became the director of a faith community nursing program at Holy Cross Hospital in Washington, DC. Her work helped churches develop holistic health ministries. These programs integrate physical, emotional and spiritual care, emphasizing prevention and wellness education.

In 2003, during a short-term medical mission trip to Guyana, South America, Carmella sensed God calling her towards global mission—not just short-term, but long-term mission. As she discerned her call, she enrolled at Wesley Theological Seminary, where she earned a Master of Divinity in 2012. She was ordained as an American Baptist clergywoman in 2013. Knowing that God had called her to long-term global mission, not just serving her local community, she attended a Hear the Call weekend. There, she fully surrendered and began preparing for global ministry through International Ministries.

“I wanted my nursing education and my theological education to both be utilized,” Carmella said about her ministry assignment. “I wanted it to be both-and. Not either-or.”

That prayer became a reality in Hungary. 

In her first term, from 2017 through 2022, Carmella served in two important settings. At Pannohalmi Béla Baptist School, she served as the school chaplain and a teacher. The school supports students with learning challenges. She co-taught English for first through eighth grade, later expanding up to twelfth grade. She offered pastoral care to students, staff, and families and took part in after-school programs. 

At the same time, Carmella ministered at Tabitha House, a pediatric hospice and respite house for children with terminal or chronic life-limiting illness. There, she gave compassionate and practical care. Whether it was holding hurting children, doing dishes, ministering to families or supporting the nurses’ care, Carmella truly used the unique giftings God gave her. 

In 2023, following her initial term, Carmella’s ministry responsibilities expanded as she began serving as an IM regional consultant. She supported ministry partners throughout Hungary and Liberia, strengthening relationships and collaborating with local leaders. In Liberia, Carmella worked predominantly with IM’s ministry partner, Ricks Institute. There, she focused on empowering the staff at the medical clinic that serves both the students and the community.

As she concludes her service with International Ministries in July, she reflects on her time with gratitude: “I’m still amazed God chose me and allowed me to do this. I’ve seen the Scriptures come alive. I’ve witnessed miracles. The challenges have taught me important lessons.  Because of all these experiences, I walk into this new chapter with a deeper trust in God’s faithfulness.”

In retirement, Carmella plans to remain active in ministries at her church and volunteer with local ESL programs. She looks forward to spending more time with family and also hopes to travel back to Hungary later this year for the first graduating class of Pannohalmi Béla Baptist School!

International Ministries gives thanks for Rev. Carmella Jones and her dedicated service. Through her faithful presence in schools, hospice care, and ministry partners, she has shown the love of Christ in practical and spiritual ways. Join us as we celebrate the many ways God has worked through her ministry and pray for God’s guidance as she embraces new opportunities in the years ahead.

If you currently support Carmella Jones, please contact donor services at IMDonorServices@internationalministries.org to redirect your giving. We would be honored to help you continue advancing God’s mission through International Ministries.