Reginald Jackson (bishop) facts for kids

Bishop Reginald Thomas Jackson (born April 26, 1954 – died November 25, 2025) was a very important leader in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He was the 132nd person chosen to be a bishop in this church. Bishop Jackson was married to Christy Davis-Jackson and they had two children, Regina Victoria and Seth Joshua. He studied history at Delaware State University and later earned a special degree in religious studies from the Interdenominational Theological Center.

Who Was Bishop Reginald T. Jackson?

Early Life and Education

Reginald Thomas Jackson was born on April 26, 1954. He grew up to become a respected leader. He went to Delaware State University where he earned a bachelor's degree in history. Later, he continued his studies at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. There, he received a Masters of Divinity, which is a special degree for people who want to become religious leaders.

A Dedicated Pastor

Bishop Jackson began his work as a pastor in 1979. His first assignment was at St. John AME Church in Jersey City, New Jersey. Soon after, in 1981, he became the pastor of St. Matthew AME Church in Orange, New Jersey. During his time as a pastor, more than 3,000 people joined the church or found their faith.

Growing the Church Community

Under Bishop Jackson's leadership at St. Matthew AME, the church grew a lot. It started over thirty different programs. These programs helped people with their spiritual, emotional, educational, physical, and financial needs. The church's budget also grew from $50,000 to almost $2,000,000. Because of this growth, a new church building was constructed in 1985. A second, even larger building was built in 2002. St. Matthew AME Church became known as "The Servant Church of the Oranges." Its doors were open seven days a week, serving as a busy center for both the church and the wider community.

Leading as a Bishop

In 2012, Reginald T. Jackson was chosen to be the 132nd bishop in the A.M.E. Church. This important event happened at a big meeting called the 49th Quadrennial Session General Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. He was elected from his home area, known as The First Episcopal District. His main ideas were "Imagine the Church at Its Best" and "Strengthen Local Churches!" At the time of his passing, he was the Bishop and Presiding Prelate of the 2nd Episcopal District. This district covered the DMV-Area (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia) and the State of North Carolina. His wife, the late Supervisor Christy Davis-Jackson, also served alongside him in this district.

Making a Difference in the Community

Bishop Jackson did much more than just his church duties. He also served as the executive director of the Black Ministers Council (BMC) of New Jersey. This group represented over 600 African American churches in New Jersey. As the leader of the BMC, he spoke out on many important issues in the state.

Fighting for Fairness

Bishop Jackson pushed the state to give more money to schools in poorer areas. This led to the State Supreme Court ordering New Jersey to spend over eight billion dollars. This money helped make sure all schools had fair funding. He also worked to get enough money for healthcare for people who did not have insurance. He supported laws to stop unfair loans that took advantage of certain groups of people, like minorities and seniors. He also worked to improve cities in the state.

However, he was most known for leading the fight against unfair treatment by police based on race, which is called racial profiling. His efforts helped New Jersey pass a law that made racial profiling a crime. The governor signed this law, making a big change in the state.

Important Roles and Recognitions

Bishop Jackson was part of many important groups and boards. He was the chairman of the board of trustees for Essex County College in Newark, New Jersey. He also served as a member and once as president of the board of education for the Orange Public Schools. He was a board member for New Brunswick Theological Seminary and Barnabas Health. He was a lifetime member of the NAACP, an organization that works for civil rights. He was also a member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.

He received many awards for his work. In 2000, New Jersey Monthly magazine named him Man of the Year. He also received the William Ashby Award from the United Way and the Martin Luther King Award from the Newark North Ward Center. Bishop Jackson was often named one of the 25 most influential people in New Jersey.

His Legacy

Bishop Reginald Thomas Jackson passed away on November 25, 2025, at the age of 71. His life was dedicated to serving his church and community, leaving a lasting impact on many people in New Jersey and beyond.