The Rev. Stanley Jones describes his first published book, “The Treasure is in The People,” as summarizing his life’s work as a pastor.

“This is a book of stories and tested strategies for releasing the powerful treasure for human redemption that lies forgotten by the church,” said the 85-year-old Jones.

He is a retired parish associate at Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church.

“My seminary training never even hinted at its existence. Nor did I ever, growing up in the church, experience it, or hear of it,” he said.

“If the claim of this book is not true, then Jesus came to us in vain. Clearly he did not come to distribute 144,000 free tickets to heaven, to enable us to speak in tongues, nor merely straighten out our oft-times contentious cognitive theories about God.”

“From what I see of him, he came and poured out his life and his wisdom to waken us to our true creation and to fill our souls with God’s spirit, so that we could join with him in the work of a new humanity. He came to give us minds and spirits capable of giving a lift to humanity, bearing God’s family likeness.”

The message in the book evolved from a class of parishioners sharing personal feelings, and “to my amazement ministering to one another.”

He compares that evening to how Benjamin Franklin must have felt when electricity from a lightning storm bolted down his kite string.

“Our room was filled with God’s presence, not speaking in tongues, not wind and fire, but God’s love so thick you could slice it. There was a lifting and healing exponent far beyond the Bible studies and prayer meetings that we had looked to for spiritual growth.”

After that evening, Jones said his ministry changed.

“We set out on a quest to harness this newfound power, this Christ-treasure that comes through the people,” he said.

Born in Pasadena, Jones started his ministerial career at the age of 24 with his first assignment in Florence where he also was Protestant prison chaplain.

From there he served for 12 years in Placentia, Calif., followed by 13 years in Grenada Hills, and then becoming director of seminary ministries for Faith at Work for seven years. He later served as an interim pastor in Tempe.

Jones believes that the deepest lesson that Jesus brought to mankind is through his love and the love of God “to teach us loving relationships. That’s what it’s about -- Love one another.”

The book can be purchased for $10 at the Presbyterian Church office or by contacting Jones directly at his home, (480) 816-6321.