We need more "Jones Boys" in the world today. Let me tell you the story

Well here we go with a title that hopefully draws your attention in and of course you might be asking yourself since you are acquainted with Stanley Jones, just what does this guy mean? What in the world is a "Jones Boy."

Well I have some surprising and what might be good news in the midst of all the bad news about our world today. And the good news is that something might really be stirring in many of the young men in our world today.

And so if you care about our future both as a nation and as a world I think you might find this very helpful and useful and especially if you have young men in your life this could be a very vital message for them and for you.

The story takes under 20 minutes, like a TED talk and I think you'll find it helpful and useful and may be a wonderful challenge to make the world just a little bit better starting now.

And now you can hear what STOSH the robot had to say about the program.

We Need More 'Jones Boys'—Now More Than Ever

Greetings, friends. I'm Stan, the Radio Man, welcoming you once again to the Stanley Jones Radio School for Fully Alive Living. This isn’t just another podcast—it’s a call to be braver, bolder, and more purposeful in how we live, work, and serve. Today, I want to share why we desperately need more "Jones Boys" in the world—more men and women who walk in the spirit and style of E. Stanley Jones.

Jones wasn’t just a theologian; he was a missionary who shook the world. Before Billy Graham ever filled a stadium, Time magazine said Stanley Jones was the most famous missionary in the world. And now, 50 years after his passing, his words and wisdom are more relevant than ever. Every time I read his work, I think, This is for right now.

Preserving the Legacy

We need to preserve the lore, the legend, and the legacy of Stanley Jones. From his incredible works like The Unshakable Kingdom and the Unchanging Person to his guidance on overcoming fear, his message endures. My friend Ed Hird even gave me a coaching session on how to digest this book—not as a daily devotional, but as a roadmap to spiritual and practical resilience.

Leonard Sweet, one of today’s great thinkers, echoes Jones' voice in books like The Church in the Emerging Culture. The parallels are astounding. Jones confronted postmodernism in India a century ago, long before the West even had language for it. He didn’t preach at people—he demonstrated that the faith worked. What a lesson for us today.

Rediscovering the Practical Jones

When I was a missionary broadcaster, I stumbled upon Jones' writings. I needed something fresh and practical for daily radio—and I found it in his pages. Abundant Living, The Way, and others weren’t lofty theological essays. They were spiritual blueprints for the everyday person, and they still work.

Later, as a business performance coach, Jones became even more relevant. My first book began with a chapter titled "Fear Kills Everything," inspired largely by Stanley Jones. He taught us how to live fearlessly in a fearful world. That lesson alone could transform a generation.

A Church in Decline—and a Rising Opportunity

Recent studies show the number of Christians in North America is declining. The "nones"—those with no religious affiliation—are growing. Church attendance is dropping, particularly among young women. But here’s the twist: Young men are increasingly drawn to entrepreneurs—people who take risks, solve problems, and build futures.

This is our window. Jones himself believed the church would grow through its empowered laity, not more preachers. The marketplace—not the pulpit—is where most of life is lived. That’s where we need Jones Boys—Jesus-following entrepreneurs, business leaders, and culture-makers who live out their faith with courage, conviction, and clarity.

We Need Brave and Bold Witnesses

Jones was tough. He was entrepreneurial. He didn’t settle for easy answers or comfortable lives. He gave up status in the religious world to reach the real world. His life is a masterclass in spiritual entrepreneurship—poised, powerful, and purposeful.

Let’s be clear: We don’t just need more programs. We need more people who belong to Jesus. People who bring His wisdom and love into the messiness of the real world—into business, media, government, and culture.

We need men and women who will live lives that make Jesus smile.

Key Takeaways

- Demonstrate, don’t just describe. Like Jones, let your faith work in real life.
- Empowered laity is the future. The Kingdom grows through marketplace believers.
- Younger men are seeking meaning. Let’s meet them there—with purpose and direction.
- Fear kills everything. Learn to live with courage, and help others do the same.
- The story needs a plot. Let your life have purpose. Help others find theirs.

Final Thoughts: A Call to Action

We need more Jones Boys—and Jones Gals. We need mentors, teachers, coaches, and leaders who don’t just talk about faith but live it fully, especially in today’s chaotic marketplace. Will you help me? If you’re older, mentor. If you’re younger, rise up.

We’re starting something bold here. A movement of fully alive living. Of spiritual power in secular places. And of bringing the Kingdom—not someday in heaven, but right here, right now.

Let’s do it together. Let’s honor the man Jones by becoming more like him—and more like the One he followed.

Till next time, this is Stan the Radio Man. Be brave. Be bold. Be fully alive.