U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Alabama, recognized Huntsville pastor Jimmy E. Jackson for his 53-year pastoral career with a speech on the House floor.
Brook’s floor speech paid tribute to Jackson, who has been the pastor at Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville for the last 40 years. According to Brooks, Whitesburg Baptist Church has grown to 7,1000 members under Jackson’s leadership, making it one of the largest and most successful churches in North Alabama.
“I first met Dr. Jackson 38 years ago, in 1980,” Brooks said in the speech. “Over those 38 years, I have grown to very much appreciate and admire all that Dr. Jackson has done to improve the physical and spiritual lives of Tennessee Valley Residents.”
Jackson served as a guest chaplain for the House of Representatives in April 2015, Brooks said.
“Through 40 years at Whitesburg Baptist, Dr. Jackson has remained committed to leading people in the Rocket City and Alabama to Christ—and has been integral in the spiritual life of the people of the Tennessee Valley,” Brooks said.
Brooks said Jackson has lived his “great commission” through his long pastoral career at Whitesburg Baptist, citing Matthew 28 verses 19 and 20 from the Bible.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you,” he recited.
Jackson has also served in a number of different public capacities including as a member of the Alabama State Board of Missions, a member of the executive committee of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, a trustee of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and on the board of regents of the University of Mobile.
“I commend Dr. Jimmy Jackson on his exceptional career and service to God,” Brooks said. “I wish Dr. Jackson many years of happiness as he begins this new phase of life with his bride of nearly 58 years, Bobbi, his children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren.”
