EDITOR’S NOTE:This is the last of a two-part series of Making Headline News’ coverage of retired Memphis Pastor Andrew Jackson, Sr., who will be elevated to the Office of Bishopric this weekend during the Church of God In Christ’s 110th National Holy Convocation in St. Louis.
“Man may bestow upon him this great honor, but he has a greater honor, a crown of glory, awaiting him in the life to come.” — Atlanta-area Psalmist Sharon Jackson, on her father’s upcoming consecration to the Office of Bishopric
DALLAS — Just before sunset on Sunday, Andrew Jackson, Sr. figured he’d emerge from his Eads, Tennessee home and engage in his customary light exercise.
A MAN OF LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING — The Founder and former Senior Pastor of Memphis’ historic Faith Temple Ministries Church of God In Christ, Andrew Jackson, Sr., 81, is just days away from being officially consecrated to the Office of Bishopric during the COGIC’s 110th National Holy Convocation November 6-14.
Enjoying what was a rather pleasurable stroll through his neighborhood in the outskirts of Memphis, Jackson, Sr. suddenly fielded a congratulatory phone call which, little does he knows, will undoubtedly be one of many he will amass this week.
“I’ll be glad when it’s all over. I’m grateful for the position,” Jackson, Sr. told Making Headline News.
The position to which Jackson is alluding is one that, in all likelihood, will go down as arguably the most historic in a well-publicized pastoral career that spans nearly five decades.
The Founder and former Senior Pastor of Memphis’ historic Faith Temple Ministries Church of God In Christ, Jackson, 81, is just days away from being officially consecrated to the Office of Bishopric during the COGIC’s 110th National Holy Convocation November 6-14.
NEVER FORGET TO REMEMBER — By and large, it is the industrious impact of his family, coupled with the valiant contributions of his church that Jackson, Sr. admittedly will find himself reflecting upon this weekend when he witnesses what figures to be grandest milestone in his illustrious pastoral administration.
While many sense that such a feat is long overdue and should have taken place long before his ceremonious retirement in June 2016, Jackson, Sr., on the other hand, is, well, basking in the glory of moment.
“It’s a position of honor,” the Bishop Designate and native of Grady, Arkansas repeatedly said. “It’s the highest position in the church.”
All things considered, it is a distinct, unprecedented honor by which Jackson, Sr. doesn’t take lightly, regardless of how long it has taken to come to fruition.
For what it’s worth, he’d be the first to concede that it was all in God’s timing.
“You know, you start off as a minister, and then an Elder, and then a pastor,” said Jackson, sounding very much like he’s giving a spiritual Hall of Fame speech, of sorts. “For me, it’s more of a position of honor.”
Widely regarded as one of the most eminent pastors through the COGIC, it is, by all accounts, an elevation that won’t be merely given to Jackson, Sr.
Rather, this long-awaited promotion came from heaven.
Which, of course, means if God said it, that settles it.
“It was a sigh of relief in that area (of my career), said Jackson, Sr., explaining his immediate reaction after learning of his forthcoming consecration through a formal written statement issued six weeks ago by COGIC Presiding Bishop Charles Blake. “I wasn’t sure what they were going to do, because it was a long time coming.”
SOLID SUPPORTING CAST — Because of his notable contributions of the COGIC and the Body of Christ, the “long time coming” acknowledgment had seemingly been echoed like a classic hymn, particularly within the walls of the South Memphis-based church Jackson, Sr. founded back in 1969.
Because of his notable contributions to the COGIC and the Body of Christ, this “long time coming” acknowledgment had seemingly been echoed like some classic hymn, particularly within the walls of the South Memphis-based church Jackson, Sr. founded back in 1969.
“They were overjoyed,” said Jackson, Sr., recalling the reactions of his Faith Temple Ministries membership after news spread of his upcoming elevation. “They were happy. Some said you deserve it. Some said it finally came. I couldn’t put a percentage on it, but I’ve had very good, supportive members, who helped me get to where I needed to be over 47 years.”
And then there are the Faithful Six, or The Jackson Six, or…well, perhaps Jackson, Sr. can better explain it.
WIFE KNOWS BEST — “He deserves it,” Shirley Jackson said of her husband’s forthcoming consecration. “I knew this was something he really wanted. This is something he’s worked 47 years for.”
“Of course, keep in mind that six (of those members) were my children. (My ministry) would have been absolutely impossible without them, Jackson, Sr. said. “They’ve impacted the ministry the most as far as music, preaching, and teaching. In a nutshell, I couldn’t have done what I’ve did without them, and I owe a great deal of gratitude to them.”
By and large, it is the industrious impact of his family, coupled with the valiant contributions and unyielding support of his church that Jackson, Sr. admittedly will find himself reflecting upon this weekend when he witnesses arguably the grandest milestone in his illustrious pastoral administration.
HE WON’T COMPLAIN — While many sense that such a feat is long overdue and should have taken place long before his ceremonious retirement in June 2016, Jackson, Sr., on the other hand, is, well, basking in the glory of moment.
“I don’t know if I would call it nervous,” said Jackson, Sr. when asked how he sense he might feel during his upcoming consecration. “I’ve seen people go into it. I think it’ll be more of an excitement and relief.”
Relieved much like his customary light exercise just before sunset Sunday in his mostly quiet neighborhood.
Only this time, such a relief will unfold on a much larger stage, a long-awaited promotion accompanied by heaven’s endorsement.
Which, of course, means if God said it, that settles it.
EDITOR’S NOTE:If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, producer, author, athlete, musician, barber, life coach, motivational speaker, cosmetologist, tax preparer, model, or pastor/minister who is seeking exposure and would like to share your story with an in-depth news feature, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.
Andre Johnson is the Founder and Publisher of Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson is the former chief adjutant to Elder Andrew Jackson, Sr. of Faith Temple Ministries Church of God In Christ. Based in Dallas, Texas, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division. To reach Johnson, call him at 901-690-6587 or send email to andre@makingheadlinenews.com or makingheadlinenews@gmail.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
ABOUT ANDRE: Andre Johnson is a longtime sports journalist and a 2000 graduate of the University of the Memphis with Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. A native of Memphis, Johnson is a former sport reporter Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper and Memphis Sport Magazine. He worked as full-time staffer for The Commercial Appeal from 2000-2002, in which he was the beat reporter for the Memphis Houn’dawgs of now-defunct American Basketball Assocation and the Memphis Xplorers of the arenafootball2 league. He has interviewed numerous sports personalities, most notably Archie Manning, LeBron James, George “Iceman” Gervin, Issac Bruce, Laila Ali, Vince Carter, Paul Westphal, Phil Jackson, Ken Hamlin, Cortez Kennedy, Michael Oher, Kobe Bryant, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Marc Gasol, Dwight Howard, James Harden, Patrick Willis, Stanley Morgan, Dirk Nowitzki, Rick Carlisle, Mark Cuban, Carmelo Anthony, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay, John Force, Lamar Odom, Alexandra Stevenson, Derek Fisher, Penny Hardaway, Phillip Rivers, Colin Kaepernick, Jim Harbaugh, Tyreke Evans, Kirk Ferentz, and O. J. Mayo, among others. To reach Johnson, send email to: memphisgraduate@yahoo.com. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.
Andre Johnson 
Widely regarded as one of the most eminent pastors through the COGIC, it is, by all accounts, an elevation that won’t be merely given to Jackson, Sr.
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, producer, author, athlete, musician, barber, life coach, motivational speaker, cosmetologist, tax preparer, model, or pastor/minister who is seeking exposure and would like to share your story with an in-depth news feature, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.
