EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first of a two-part series of Making Headline News’ coverage of retired Memphis Pastor, Bishop Andrew Jackson, Sr. Bishop Jackson will be celebrating 50 years as founder of the historic Faith Temple Ministries Church of God in Christ during a celebratory reunion service on June 2.

50 SHADES OF GRACE 

DUNCANVILLE, Texas — What initially started out as an exclusive interview with retired Memphis Pastor, Bishop Andrew Jackson Sr., had suddenly turned into a rather riveting mini-sermon, of sorts.

“To move from a $100,000 facility to an $800,000 facility…it was kind of like the 300 (member) Gideon band,” Bishop Jackson said during a phone conversation with Making Headline News from his Eads, Tennessee home Tuesday night, referring to the narrative involving Gideon — the son of Joash — who’s widely remembered amongst Biblical historians for his decisive victory over a Midianite army despite a vast numerical disadvantage, during which he led a troop of what was known as 300 ‘valiant’ men.

“Gideon was facing a 100,000-man army and he only had 32,000 and God told him he had too many,” Bishop Jackson continued. And 22,000 went back and left him with 10,000. And God told him he still had too many. Only 300 passed the test, so he took the 300 and won the battle against 100,000.”

WHAT ABOUT FAITH TEMPLE MINISTRIES: https://www.ftmc.us/

For the record, there is precisely an unequivocal correlation this longtime clergyman and beloved founder of Faith Temple Ministries Church of God In Christ has eloquently drawn in reference to an awe-inspiring Biblical sequential that’s housed in the Book of Judges.

“My point is when we moved, we only had about 100 members,” said Bishop Jackson, a Grady,  Arkansas native, referring to his church’s relocation from its South Memphis site in 1989 to its current establishment in the historic Whitehaven community.

While there are, in many aspects, strength in numbers, that wasn’t merely the case, particularly as it pertains to the continuous progression of his longstanding ministry, Bishop Jackson acknowledged.

“It was strength in the anointing,” he said without hesitation.

Indeed it was, especially considering the very church that Bishop Jackson had organized has steadfastly stood the test of time, a trend that will surely emerge as the center of conversation when an  expected overflow crowd descends upon 5191 Elvis Presley Boulevard on Sunday, June 2 to pay homage to the longtime preacher for five decades of dedicatory service to Memphis and the Body of Christ.

In what has been ceremoniously dubbed Faith Temple’s “50^th Founder’s Day Reunion Celebration,” Bishop Jackson expects a throng of colleagues, well-wishers, and current and former members to assemble at his church, where they will reminisce and honor him for his immeasurable body of work as arguably one of the Mid-South’s most cultivated and well-established clergymen.

THE HIGH PLACE 

Bishop Jackson’s 50^th Founder’s Day celebration comes approximately three years after his retirement as Faith Temple’s Senior Pastor and a little less than two years after he was officially consecrated to the Office of Bishopric during COGIC’s 110th Holy Convocation in St. Louis.

Having started his church in July 1969 amid what many of his peers describe as “humble beginnings,” Bishop Jackson’s ministry was spearheaded with the valiant support of his then-wife, the late Lottie Jackson, the couple’s six children, and three adults.

The church has since enjoyed a considerable amount of growth, coupled with the relocation to two different sites since its inception at 66 West Mallory Street — from a 300-seat sanctuary at 76 East Davant to its presence campus, which includes a tabernacle that accommodates approximately 750 individuals.

Elder Ivory Jackson Sr. succeeded his father as Faith Temple’s Senior Pastor in June 2016.

In assessing the sustained success and resiliency of a ministry that spans five decades, Bishop Jackson, as expected, found it somewhat difficult to sum it all up in one word.

At least he tried.

“I don’t think so. I can’t think of any one word” said Bishop Jackson, chuckling before putting more serious thought into such a conspicuous inquiry. “I could say something like ‘awesome’ or ‘tremendous’ or ‘well done.’”

Given his unfathomable track record in the Body of Christ and as the face of Faith Temple Ministries COGIC, many would agree that there isn’t merely one word that could appropriately sum up the substantial impact Bishop Jackson’s ministry has had on countless of Mid-Southerners, particularly residents in the inner city South Memphis and Whitehaven communities.

Much like Bishop Jackson, though, the possibility exist that a number of attendees who will turn out for the golden anniversary of his ministry might perhaps take a figurative swing at assessing the efficacious impact he’s had on their lives in one pivotal word.

Or perhaps two.

Or three.

Or…well, you get the point.

Regardless of the number of superlatives that will be uttered throughout the sanctuary loudspeakers, there’s a good chance that Bishop Jackson will have a handkerchief somewhere tucked away in the event he finds it difficult fighting back tears.

“It’s probably a good chance,” said Jackson, when asked what are the chances he’ll unleash tears of joy during the much-anticipated celebration of his latest ministerial milestone. “It depends on what is said.”

While Bishop Jackson isn’t certain if he’ll reach for his handkerchief on the morning of June 2, there’s one thing he undoubtedly knows, one major factor he appropriately singled out while capping off what seemed to be a mini-sermon, of sorts, Tuesday night.

“What seemed to be insurmountable,” he said, “we were able to overcome.”

With God, his Helper, leading the way.

For five decades and counting.

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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 award-winning 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 Bishop 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 [email protected] or [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.