Additional Information

Prayer Letters
Music Philosophy
Doctrinal Statement
References
Piano Hymn Arrangements

Itinerary Calendar

Click on a highlighted date on the calendar to learn about Jolea's itinerary. Click on the top arrows to move forward or backward by month.

If you are interested in having Jolea come serve or give a presentation in your church during her deputation, please fill out the contact form. Jolea has a 9 minute DVD which can be shown.

Jolea is also available to give half hour sacred piano concerts as part of her ministry presentation. Learn more about Melodies of Joy.

Support Level

Currently at 31%

Background

Training:

B. Mus. Church Music (piano proficiency), Bob Jones University, 2001

M.A. Church Ministries, Bob Jones University, 2006

Experience:

Private Piano instructor (1992-present)

Music Teacher, Thrifthaven Baptist Academy, Memphis, TN (now Heritage Baptist Academy, Cordova, TN) (2001-2004)

College music teacher, BJMBC, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines (2006-2008)

Learn About the Philippines

Operation World
World Factbook

The BJMBC choir had an outreach to the University of the Philippines in March 2008 at which 4 people made professions of faith.

Filipinos are generally friendly, easy to talk to, and willing to hear when one seeks to share the Gospel.

Testimony & Call of Jolea Jensen, Missionary to the Philippines

“I’ll see you in Carnegie Hall someday,” my friend said to me after my 9th grade performance of Chopin’s Nocturne Op. 9, No. 2. I had studied piano since I was 5 and loved performing, but my mom always encouraged me not to show off in a prideful manner. The Lord saved me on October 16, 1983, when I was 4 years old; I wanted to serve Him with my whole life. I always felt that God would take away my gift if I ever used it to honor myself. He allowed me to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Church Music from Bob Jones University, but gave me a thorn in the flesh at the end of my junior year. My right arm became very painful, swelling up and turning purple at times; the left arm soon followed. Doctors could not figure out the cause of my problem for eight months. One finally discovered that the cause was a pinched nerve in my neck, and I began undergoing therapy.

The injury, however, had long-reaching effects. I was unable to play the piano for my last year of college studies and graduated only by the grace of God. My injury hindered me from immediately pursuing a graduate degree in music and led me to teach music for three years in a Christian school in TN. My plans for my life never included classroom teaching, yet that is what the Lord arranged for me.

The Lord healed my neck injury, but I knew I could not pursue further training in music. He instead directed me to study a Master’s degree in Church Ministries (a Bible degree designed for women). When my pastor heard I wanted to pursue a degree in Bible, he asked me if the Lord was calling me to be a missionary. I told him I didn’t plan to serve on the foreign field; I just saw my ministry as staying in the States to support foreign missions. Little did I know that the Bachorik family was already praying for someone to teach music at Bob Jones Memorial Bible College in the Philippines as their furlough replacement during the 2006-2007 school year.

In the fall of 2005, I surrendered to go wherever the Lord would lead me, even if it meant traveling to a far away country on the opposite side of the world. He provided for me to be the answer to the Bachorik’s prayer. I arrived in Manila, Philippines on July 12, 2006. The day I arrived, there was a wake for an elderly lady in the church who had passed away. After the ceremony, people came up to me, saying, “This is a sign. Do you see that single lady missionary over there, Jeanne Raymond? Well, on her first day in Manila, about 25 years ago, we had the wake for this elderly lady’s husband. And Jeanne Raymond has been here ever since.” This they said, to tell me that I should also stay for the rest of my life. I was only planning for my stay to be temporary at that time.

As I worked with my students, training them to serve more effectively in their local church music ministries, the Lord opened my eyes to the needs on the mission field. He provided again for me to return for the 2007-2008 school year, but I still planned to stay temporarily. I struggled to discern His will when two opportunities were placed before me—one a Christian college in the States, and the other BJMBC in the Philippines. As I prayed for God’s leading, He began to challenge me through my devotions, sermons, friends, and the students I loved to teach. I saw the eagerness with which my students learned, knowing that training in quality music standards was hard to find. I watched my students mature in their talent and begin to teach others about the need to use biblical, God-honoring music in their ministries.

The Lord gave me answers to prayer, including several opportunities to witness to the lost around me. One neighbor lady saw that I had a Bible and invited me into her home, saying, “Come in, and read the Bible to me.” I was able to sit in her living room and share the Gospel with her right at that moment. The Lord gave me eyes to see that this field, Manila, Philippines, is a ripe field ready for harvest. I surrendered my whole heart to serve Him as long as He would allow in this mission field. “But our God is in the heavens, He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased,” Ps. 115:3.

As I return to Manila, I look forward to the ministries I will continue to have in Bob Jones Memorial Bible College. I will continue to teach music, training musicians to fill much-needed roles in church music. I will also prepare students to serve in music education, using music as a tool to reach children with the Gospel. My ministries also include playing piano for church, visitation, and children’s Bible clubs. Psalm 40:3 says, “He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.”