As he nears his 87th birthday, former Alabama Baptist pastor Bill Jackson reflected on 60 years of active ministry service.
“Being able to serve people and be close to Jesus” have been the most rewarding aspects of ministry service, he said.
Jackson earned a bachelor of arts degree in religion from Samford University in Birmingham, a master of religious education and a master of divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctor of ministry from Luther Rice Seminary in Lithonia, Ga.
He has served as pastor of Five Points Baptist Church, Northport; First Baptist Church, Foley; Gilbertown Baptist Church; Bethel Baptist Church, Columbiana; Beechwood Baptist Church and Westmont Baptist Church, both in Birmingham. He also has ministered in Missouri and Hawaii.
Currently Jackson is a member of Magnolia Springs Baptist Church, but he continues to be available for supply preaching and interim positions.
Gary Patrick, pastor of Magnolia Springs Church, said Jackson takes the privileges, responsibilities and opportunities that come with ministry very seriously.
“He’s very diligent about doing what he’s been called to do,” Patrick said. “He’s always conscious about being a Christian and representing Christ.”
Jackson said of ministry life, “You have some ups and downs and the ups are always so much greater than the downs — I’ve never majored in the downs.”
Magnolia Springs celebrated his 60-year commitment with a recognition service as part of its homecoming celebration Nov. 9. Many members from previous churches he has served attended and most of the churches sent letters of appreciation for Jackson.
He and his wife, Jessie Ann, have four children and five grandchildren.
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