Arvis Strickling-Jones, in a gospel music career inspired by her parents, Rev. and Mrs. J. A. Strickling, is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. She has been playing gospel music since age seven and accepted Christ into her life at age 10. She graduated from Skyline College and attended San Francisco State University. She is an member of St. Stephen Baptist Church in San Francisco, California, where she serves as Minister of Music, church secretary and president of the Mission. 

Ministry. She is also on the music staff of Pilgrim Baptist Church in San Mateo, California. Arvis has recorded five albums: "Today and Forevermore", "Live In Concert", "From The Inside Out", "Back Home Where You Belong", and "It Was A Miracle". She has written over 60 songs. Her ministry had allowed her to spread the good news through song around the country and her music has traveled to Europe. She has performed with many well-known gospel recording artists, including co-hosting two "Bobby Jones Gospel Explosions" with Dr. Bobby Jones in San Francisco. Arvis also serves as the Minister of Music for the San Francisco City-Wide Revival Mass Choir. For four years, Arvis served as the volunteer musical director for the San Quentin State Prison Inmate Choir where the choir on ABC-TVs "Good Morning America" performed one of her songs, "A Friend".

Arvis is an entrepreneur and proprietor of "Stricklings House of Music", a religious music and bookstore, and the Gospel Music School. In the theater, Arvis is the resident musical director and featured artist for Lorraine Hansberry Theater. She performed in James Baldwins "The Amen Corner"; Langston Hughes"Tambourines To Glory"; Ishmael Reeds "Gethsemane Park; and Vinette Carrolls "Your Arms Too Short To Box with God"; This play received the "Best Performance and Theater Production" by the Bay Area Theater Critics Awards Circle. She is presently starring in "Black Nativity" November through December.

Arvis has been cited with many awards for her accomplishments including "Outstanding young Woman of America", a Stellar Award nomination for Best Solo Performance by a Female-Traditional; "Humanitarian of the Year" award by the Bay Area Gospel Academy Awards, and three Grammy nominations. She has keys to three cities.

Arvis is the wife of Deacon Mike Jones and they have three sons, Anthony, Howard and Troy, one daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren. Arvis says: "I give all praise, thanks and glory to God for loving me enough to save me and give me the wonderful gift of music. I am a witness that Jesus Christ is Lord and that He alone can save, bless, deliver and heal. If this music ministry helps someone, to God be the Glory.