Stay encouraged, stay the course, and keep the FAITH!
Van is a native of the Mississippi Delta where he hails from the small Sunflower County town of Moorhead. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration from The University of Southern Mississippi in 2000. Van had the pleasure of playing four seasons for the school's basketball team -- 1997-2001. After completing his athletic career, he coached basketball at various local high schools including Hattiesburg, Laurel, Lumberton and Oak Grove. Shortly after, he moved into educational administration, first as the assistant principal at Woodley Elementary. Van later became the principal of the Earl Travillion Attendance Center. He also served 5 years as the executive director for a local non-profit, Pine Belt 360, whose sole mission was to unify the body of Christ to meet community needs. Van also had the honor of serving on the ADP and Midtown Merchants boards.
Van married his college sweetheart, Nicole, and is the proud father of two beautiful girls, Vanessa and Sydni. The family attends church and is engaged in ministry at Grace Temple (www.gracetemple.com). Van and his wife Nicole are proud business owners of the After School Academics and Arts Program, where the mission is simply for boys and girls to experience Jesus’ love daily. The students complete their homework, listen to a daily devotion, participate in enrichment activities, and weekly engage in character ed, dance, art, and music.
In 2022, the Joneses ventured into the restaurant business, and now own The Shoppe Ice Cream & More -- located at 78/80 Shelby Speights Drive, Purvis, MS(www.theshoppeicecreamandmore.com). The Shoppe is a deli-styled, ice cream, candy, and gift shop. The second floor can also be reserved for the private dining experience.
Van writes, speaks, coaches, and teaches primarily on the subjects of leadership, success, spiritual growth, & unity. .
His overall desire is to be a part of greater missions, be Jesus’ hands and feet, and to live full and die empty. His philosophy is simple: clarify purpose, identify gifts, and set realistic goals, combined with a strong work ethic, pervasive discipline, a solid belief system, and an unrelenting resolve to excellence.
He wants to encourage you to believe that you 'CAN' if you stay encouraged, stay the course, and to keep the faith!!
Van married his college sweetheart, Nicole, and is the proud father of two beautiful girls, Vanessa and Sydni. The family attends church and is engaged in ministry at Grace Temple (www.gracetemple.com). Van and his wife Nicole are proud business owners of the After School Academics and Arts Program, where the mission is simply for boys and girls to experience Jesus’ love daily. The students complete their homework, listen to a daily devotion, participate in enrichment activities, and weekly engage in character ed, dance, art, and music.
In 2022, the Joneses ventured into the restaurant business, and now own The Shoppe Ice Cream & More -- located at 78/80 Shelby Speights Drive, Purvis, MS(www.theshoppeicecreamandmore.com). The Shoppe is a deli-styled, ice cream, candy, and gift shop. The second floor can also be reserved for the private dining experience.
Van writes, speaks, coaches, and teaches primarily on the subjects of leadership, success, spiritual growth, & unity. .
His overall desire is to be a part of greater missions, be Jesus’ hands and feet, and to live full and die empty. His philosophy is simple: clarify purpose, identify gifts, and set realistic goals, combined with a strong work ethic, pervasive discipline, a solid belief system, and an unrelenting resolve to excellence.
He wants to encourage you to believe that you 'CAN' if you stay encouraged, stay the course, and to keep the faith!!
