Pastor Shawn Jones was a 32-year-old gospel singer and the founding pastor of New Thing Empowerment Church in Auburn, Alabama. He was known for his powerful vocals and his passion for spreading the gospel through music. He had a large fan base and was in high demand in many parts of the country.
However, on November 18, 2017, Jones collapsed and died during a performance with his band, Shawn Jones & The Believers, at The Event Center in Pensacola, Florida. His sudden death shocked and saddened his family, friends, and fans. Many people wondered what caused his death and whether it could have been prevented.
The Final Performance
According to Kenneth Woodson, the manager of The Event Center, Jones and his band were the closing act for the anniversary celebration of another band, The Gospel Singingaires, which had started around 5 p.m. that day. Jones and his band began their performance shortly after 8 p.m. and sang their first song, which was well received by the audience.
They then started their second song, “Worthy Is He”, and Jones invited the audience to stand up and join them in praising God. However, as he was singing, he appeared to have trouble breathing and asked for some water. He drank some water, sat down on a stool, and continued to speak to the crowd. But then, he suddenly passed out on stage, to the horror of everyone present.
Woodson said that there were several medical professionals in the building who tried to revive Jones before the emergency medical services (EMS) arrived. He also said that the audience was in shock and prayed for Jones in their own way. However, despite their efforts, Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Cause of Death
The official cause of Jones’ death was not announced by his immediate family or the authorities. However, some of his extended family members and friends publicly said that he died of a heart attack or a stroke.
In fact, Jones himself had revealed in a video posted on his Facebook page in October 2016 that he had suffered a “light stroke” a few months earlier. He said that he had ignored the warning signs and refused to seek medical help, trusting God to heal him. He also said that he had a busy schedule and did not take care of his health. He urged his followers to learn from his mistake and to take care of their bodies, which are the temples of God.
However, it seems that Jones did not follow his own advice and continued to travel and perform extensively, without taking enough rest or undergoing proper medical check-ups. His friend and fellow gospel singer, Daryl Yancey, said that Jones had experienced another “mini-stroke” a week before his death, but did not take it seriously. Yancey said that he tried to convince Jones to go to the hospital, but Jones refused, saying that he was fine and that he had a show to do.
Yancey also said that Jones had high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are risk factors for heart disease and stroke. He said that Jones was not aware of how serious his condition was and that he did not take any medication. He said that he was heartbroken by Jones’ death and that he wanted to raise awareness about the dangers of ignoring the symptoms of stroke and the importance of seeking medical help.
The Legacy
Despite his untimely death, Jones left behind a legacy of faith, music, and ministry. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Dominica, and a loving father to his three children. He was also a respected pastor who founded the New Thing Empowerment Church in 2010 and led it to grow and impact many lives. He was also a prolific singer who recorded several albums and performed with his band across the country and abroad. He was known for his energetic and soulful style of singing, which blended gospel, blues, and jazz influences. He was also known for his uplifting and inspiring messages, which encouraged people to trust God and to never give up on their dreams.
Many people paid tribute to Jones on social media and expressed their condolences to his family. Some of his fans also shared videos of his performances and testimonies of how his music touched their lives. His church and his band also organized a legacy concert and a memorial service to celebrate his life and honor his memory.
Jones may be gone, but his voice and his spirit will live on in the hearts of those who loved him and those who were blessed by his ministry. He was a man of God who used his talents to glorify God and to spread the gospel. He was a man who lived by his motto: “I’ve come too far to turn around.”
