Will Jones is literally a man with a mission. The Trinity Episcopal High School senior returned in November from a mission trip to Bolivia, spending 10 days there with the International Mission Board for the Southern Baptist Church. During the first five days in Bolivia, Jones toured several remote villages with other young people from Mississippi towns like Forrest and Clinton.

The village was &uot;about nine hours from the nearest town,&uot; Jones said.

&uot;We prayed that the people of the village would be open to accepting Christ,&uot; he said.

Some of the villagers asked why the Americans had come. When they told them that they were there to pray for them, Jones said the villagers smiled and hugged them.

In the last five days in Bolivia, Jones and the other young people helped host a Southern Baptist Missions Retreat.

&uot;We taught the MK’s – missionary kids,&uot; Jones said with a smile.

Jones said being in the jungle was an eye-opening experience.

&uot;The missionaries live in remote areas and don’t get paid a lot,&uot; he said. &uot;They obey Christ’s final words to ‘go and teach the world who I am.’&uot;

Last summer, Jones went to Philadelphia to teach inner city children at camps sponsored by the Southern Baptist Church, but open to all denominations.

Jones has committed his life to full-time Christian service — whether that means performing that service in &uot;Africa or Vidalia.&uot;

As president of the Mayor’s Youth Council, president of his senior class, vice president of the Trinity Key Club and a multi-term member of the Mississippi Youth Legislature, Jones is a young man with clear priorities.

He is an active member of First Baptist Church in Natchez and is a lifelong resident of Natchez.

&uot;What’s really awesome is that I’ve been in Trinity since kindergarten,&uot; he said. &uot;I’ve had the same friends for over half my life.&uot;

This is one reason he’s just a little anxious about starting college later this year. He has been accepted at Mississippi State University, and is applying this week to Mississippi College — and considering civil engineering as a major.

The son of Kathy Fay and Bill Jones of Natchez, Jones has a brother, Parker, 11.

One of the many valuable life lessons his parents have taught him, he said, is to &uot;stand up for what you believe in as long as you don’t step on other people’s toes,&uot; and &uot;you always finish what you start.&uot;

Those pieces of advice have held Jones in good stead so far in his 18 years.

He also pays tribute to the many teachers who have done more than lecture him.

&uot;All of my teachers throughout the years have always tried to help me out –&160;not just lecture — but be a family to me and genuinely care. When you’re upset, they’re upset.&uot;