In 1964 as a senior in high school, Jim Jackson began his ministry as pastor of Cardiff Baptist Church. Although it was an unexpected appointment, it was clearly divine as he was no stranger to the pulpit and was already a licensed minister. Fast forward 50 years and Jackson has stayed true to his ministry calling, celebrating 20 years as director of missions (DOM) for Elmore Baptist Association in September.
The son of a pastor, Jackson grew up in his father’s church in Marengo County. “The Lord used him (my father) to bring me to ministry,” Jackson said, and he pursued an education that would best equip him for such. After earning degrees from Samford University in Birmingham, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, he returned to Alabama to pursue his calling.
Jackson served as pastor of First Baptist Church, Tallassee; First Baptist Church, Lafayette; Ashville Baptist Church; Dogwood Grove Baptist Church, Montevallo; and Indian Grave Baptist Church, Billingsley, before serving as DOM for Elmore Association.
“I’ve been around long enough to see a lot of changes in the approaches of ministry today,” he said, noting three aspects he believes are foremost for every pastor. “Giving attention to your relationship with God, being faithful to pastoring and loving the congregation and being faithful to God’s Word and His proclamation” are “timeless” principles for pastors and ministry workers to hold fast to.
Jackson said his wife, Betty, has been significant in his ministry, even serving as a ministry assistant in the associational office since he became DOM.
The couple has three children and seven grandchildren.
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