Pastor vs. Cult Leader: A Story About the Jonesboro Church War
Joe Jeffers When people hear about Jonesboro, Arkansas some know it because of an event called the Jonesboro church wars. This story’s information is mainly sourced through an interview I had with Melinda Emerson, who knew former members of Joe Jeffers’ church. It all started in the 1930s when evangelist Joe Jeffers, came and preached the gospel in a Bible College where Jonesboro High School now sits. Ten thousand people would gather because he would publicly reveal people’s sins to lead them to salvation. First Baptist Church was impressed with Jeffers, and gave him a position as Pastor. However, Joe Jeffers temporarily left after immediate criticism by members. Later he asked First Baptist if he could come back to Jonesboro and they refused. So he returned anyways and hosted a sermon near the Bible College. 171 members left First Baptist. According to Melinda Emerson, her friends were drawn to him because they “never heard the gospel spoke