REV. TONEY E. JACKSON, SR.

Rev. Toney E. Jackson, Sr. had a zest for life and counted everyday as a blessing! He was a mild mannered gentleman with the roar of a lion against injustice. He believed as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. declared, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”  He loved God with his whole heart and strived to live a life of service and significance.

Rev. Toney E. Jackson was born on September 28th 1948 in Edgefield, SC to the late Carletha and Marian Jackson, the third child of 8 children. He obtained a BA degree in Psychology from Morehouse College, a MA degree in Social Studies Education from Montclair State University and he completed Biblical training at New York School of the Bible, Manhattan Bible Institute and Northeastern Bible College. In 1976, he married Rosemary Flowers-Jackson and together they raised two children, Toney and Tameka.

Rev. Jackson is a former teacher in the East Orange Public School system in NJ. during his service as a teacher he worked diligently to provide his students with the knowledge and skills that they would need to complete in a highly complex and diverse society. In addition to teaching academics, he also sought to instill positive values, integrity and to empower his students beyond the limitations of life circumstances. 

In 1986, Rev. Jackson resigned from the classroom upon to his call to serve as pastor of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Newark, NJ. Striving to serve effectively, he built his pastorate on the theme, "Moving from Program to Ministry." His commitment to ministry manifested itself in several initiatives: The Bethlehem Baptist Church Summer Youth Institute, Senior Citizen's Ministry, Christian Growth Classes, Brother to Brother Connection, Bethlehem Baptist Church Family Life Youth Center, Prayer workshops, and Christian Life Coaching training. Rev. Jackson retired in 2016, after serving as pastor for 30 years. He remained active in a number of professional organizations, including the American Association of Christian Counselors and the NAACP. Throughout his life, he remained active in making difference through mentorship, community activism and mission work.

On June 1, 2018, he sent a text message to over 40 people, declaring that June was the month of victory. During this time, his wife was undergoing chemo therapy for stage 4 cancer. Many assumed it was a message declaring victory over her illness. On June 15, 2018, he experienced a grade 5 ruptured brain aneurysm and was given only hours to live. He defied odds, came through the surgery and fought for his life for two weeks.  On June 30, 2018, the Lord called him home. He met this moment, with arms outstretched, no fear, and at complete peace. He had won his Victory in Christ. While his death left a gaping hole in the hearts of all of his loved ones, an abundance of gratitude remains for lasting legacy he has left in the lives of so many. 

To know him was to love him. His kindness, humility and level of authenticity were standout traits. Every encounter with him, whether you'd just met or had known him for years, left you feeling seen, valued and inspired. He had a gift for connecting with people, on a spiritual level. His heart was so big that his daughter often called him "the richest poor man", as he gave generously and often to those in need. He understood that we all have a story and took the time to get to know the stories of those he connected with. He always made you feel a sense of importance and that what you had to say mattered. One of the things many people appreciated about him was the full presence he brought to every encounter. 

Rev. Jackson was known for his consistent prayer life. He prayed about everything. He was affectionately referred to as the "prayer warrior." Almost every conversation ended with, "Let's have a word of prayer." His life revolved around helping others through teaching, outreach ministry and community activism.  

One of his greatest passions was photography. In fact, it was rare to see him without a camera in hand. He especially loved photographing scenes in nature. Prior to his passing, he was in the process of launching his vision to merge his passion of photography and the teaching of God's word. He intended to develop workshops centered around themes captured in his photography. Photography was much more than a hobby, it was a ministry which aimed to uplift the spirits and touch the hearts of the viewers.  

He was a family man through and through, cherishing every moment he got to spend with loved ones, especially his his wife, children and precious granddaughters. He led a life of integrity, rooted in a strong Christian faith and shared God’s love to all he met.