Rev. Mary
Senior Pastor
Biography: Reverend Mary Jackson, M.Div.
Reverend Mary Jackson serves as the Senior Pastor of The Historic Ebenezer Methodist Church of Jacksonville, the city's first organized African-American Methodist congregation and the historic childhood church home of legendary poet and civil rights leader James Weldon Johnson. Leading this 162-year-old pillar of faith with profound vision, intellectual rigor, and an unwavering commitment to community transformation, Reverend Jackson operates at the vital intersection of faith, academia, and social advocacy. With over twenty years of pastoral ministry and more than three decades as a dedicated educator, she establishes herself as a premier voice in modern servant-leadership.
A Legacy of Academic Excellence and Historic Trailblazing
Reverend Jackson’s life and ministry are anchored in a rich foundation of scholarship and historic milestone achievements. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Bethune-Cookman University, an esteemed Historically Black University (HBCU). During her tenure at Bethune-Cookman, she became part of living history, standing on the front lines of cultural integration as one of the very first African American women permitted to perform as a flutist in the university’s legendary marching band.
Synthesizing her empirical, scientific training with a deep theological calling, she went on to earn a Master of Divinity from the globally recognized Asbury Theological Seminary. This rare academic duality equips her with a unique analytical framework, allowing her to address the complex spiritual, ethical, and practical realities of the 21st century with intellectual depth and structural precision.
During the 1980s, Reverend Jackson sang with the music ministry at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, the historic congregation where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was baptized, preached, and served as co-pastor alongside his father. This formative experience at one of America's most significant churches further deepened her appreciation for the rich traditions of worship, music, and the enduring pursuit of faith, justice, and community.
Visionary Leadership and Multi-Disciplinary Community Impact
Under her executive leadership, The Historic Ebenezer Methodist Church has revitalized its historic legacy as a pillar of hope, social justice, and economic empowerment in Florida. A dynamic strategist, Reverend Jackson engineered the historic expansion of the ministry into a multi-site operation, successfully launching the church’s secondary Portsmouth Campus. This expansion established a decentralized institutional footprint, allowing the church to deliver targeted civic engagement, spiritual cultivation, and essential community resources directly into evolving regional sectors.
Reverend Jackson is deeply passionate about human flourishing, systemic institutional development, and generational mentorship. Beyond the pulpit, she serves as the President of the Unique Women’s Group, a highly impactful Christian organization across Florida dedicated to uplifting, educating, and empowering women through strategic fellowship, civic engagement, and leadership development.
As a lifelong educator, her profoundest passion lies in nurturing the minds and spirits of the next generation. On May 31, 2026, she conceptualized and executed the launch of the Kid City Suite and the accompanying Ebenezer Kids Worship Service. Moving far beyond traditional youth programming, the Kid City Suite operates as a state-of-the-art early childhood enrichment and youth development center. This visionary, multi-disciplinary learning hub seamlessly integrates early literacy, cognitive development, and spiritual growth within a trauma-informed, psychologically sound environment tailored explicitly to the developmental needs of modern children.
A Covenant of Faith and Family
Reverend Jackson’s expansive ministry is profoundly enriched by the steadfast support of her husband, Irvin, who has partnered with her for decades in guiding and shaping the church’s vision and programs. Working in powerful harmony, their enduring shared dedication reflects a deep commitment to faith, family, and generational mentorship. Together, they have cultivated a vibrant culture of service, excellence, and spiritual vitality that permeates every facet of church life, ensuring that the legacy of Ebenezer continues to rise for generations to come.