Damascus Road Missionary Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Earl F. Jackson

Dr. Earl F. Jackson was born on January 25, 1951 in Pensacola, Florida. He is the eldest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Earl E. and Sallie M. White Jackson. He has one brother, Mr. Eugene Jackson. Dr. Jackson was educated in the public schools of Escambia County, Florida. After graduation from Booker T. Washington Sr. High School in 1969, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served his country and was honorably discharged in 1973. Pastor Jackson continued his education through attendance at Pensacola Junior College and Liberty Bible College. He and his wife of 54 years, Sister Yvonne Davis Jackson, are the proud parents of one son, Min. Raphael D. Jackson Sr., daughter-in-love Tammy, three handsome grandsons, Raphael Jr., Marquis and Steven. One beautiful granddaughter, Kennedy, and one beautiful great-granddaughter, Rachel Jackson, and one great-grandson, Raphael D. Jackson III (trey). Pastor Jackson heard the call that the Lord placed on his life and preached his initial sermon on February 14, 1982, at his home church of St. John Divine Missionary Baptist Church, located in Pensacola, Florida, under the leadership of Rev. Otha Leverette Jr.

During his early ministry, Dr. Jackson served as Pastor of St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church, in Pensacola, Florida (1982-1984). On August 25, 1984, he became the founding Pastor of Damascus Road Missionary Baptist Church, located in Pensacola, Florida. This man of God believes that his gift is to preach and teach God's word, proclaiming to everyone that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ lived, suffered, died and rose again on Sunday morning for the salvation of the world, and that He lives today! Damascus Road Missionary Baptist Church has grown and prospered greatly under his leadership.

He is an active member in First West Florida Baptist District Association and served as Moderator (2006-2010). Dr. Jackson also served as President of First West Florida Congress of Christian Education. He presently serves as an instructor with the First West Florida Congress of Christian Education and the Layman Ushers and Choir Institute. He served as President of the Baptist Minister's Union of Pensacola and Vicinity in 2011, and as Recording Secretary of the Union in 2012, and in 2014 thru 2017, 2019- present as Financial Secretary and Corresponding Secretary of ths BMU.

On the State level, Dr. Jackson served as the Director of the Minister's Division of the Florida General Baptist Congress of Christian Education for over 20 years, and served as First Vice President of the Moderator's Auxiliary of the Florida General Baptist Convention for 12 years.

As well as having served his country, he also served his community. For ten years, Pastor Jackson filled the role as Part-time Police Officer, on a part-time basis with the Pensacola Police Department. In September 1986, Dr. (officer) Jackson, was chosen as Auxiliary Police Officer of the Year. On February 1, 2006 Pastor Jackson retired from the United States Postal Service, after thirty-seven years of governmental service as a Customer Service Supervisor.

 One of the greatest highlights of his ministry was bestowed upon him; on July 25, 2010, when Pastor Jackson was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Divinity from Saint Thomas Christian University of Jacksonville, Florida. To God is the glory!

Dr. Jackson was very honored and appreciative of the Honorary Doctorate Degree, but because of his continual encouragement to the youth of Damascus Road to continue their education, in 2010, Dr. Jackson enrolled in St. Thomas Christian University, to further his education, obtaining his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theolgy in August of 2013, and his Masters of Divinity and Doctorate of Divinity in May 2014. Along with pastoring and family responsibilities, it was time consuming and hard work, but with enthusiasm and determination, Dr. Jackson pressed on, wanting to lead by example. All praises goes to Almight God!