Damascus Road Missionary Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Earl F. Jackson

Pastor Earl F. Jackson was born on January 25, 1951 in Pensacola, Florida. He is the elder son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Earl E. and Sallie M. Jackson, and he has one brother, Mr. Eugene Jackson.  Pastor Jackson was educated in the public schools of Escambia County, Florida. After graduation from Booker T. Washington 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 46 years, Sister Yvonne Davis Jackson, are the proud parents of one son, Min. Raphael D. Jackson Sr., daughter-in-law Tammy, three lovely 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, he 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. 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 has served as Moderator of the First West Florida Baptist District Association (2006-2010). Dr. Jackson served as President of First West Florida Congress of Christian Education, and now serves as an instructor with the First West Florida Congress of Christian Education and the Layman Ushers and Choir Institute. He has served as President of the Baptist Minister's Union Pensacola and Vicinity in 2011 and as Recording Secretary of the Union in 2012 and in 2014 thru 2017 as Financial Secretary and Corresponding Secretary. 

Dr. Jackson currently serves as the Director of the Minister's Division of the Florida General Baptist Congress of Christian Education, and First Vice President of the Moderator's Auxiliary of the Florida General Baptist Convention.

As well as having served his country, he served his community. For ten years, Pastor Jackson filled the role as police officer, on a part-time basis with the Pensacola Police Department. 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.

And one of the greatest highlights of his ministry was bestowed upon him; on July 25, 2010, 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 with the Hororary Doctorate Degree, but becasue of his continual encouragement to the youth of Damascus Road to continue their education, Dr. Jackson in 2010 enrolled  in St. Thomas Christian University to futher his education, obtaining his Bachelor of Arts in Theolgy in August of 2013 and his Masters of Divinity and Doctorate of Divinity in December 2013. It was a lot of time and hard work, but with enthusiasm and determination, Dr. Jackson wanted to lead by example. All praises goes to the Almight God!

Donna Curry is the mother of three children Tiva and husband Shaun, Brandon and wife, and Blake. She is also the proud grandmother of seven beautiful grandchildren.

Donna is an educator by trade and by God’s design. She has taught in public education from pre-school to high school. She has also taught at the college level at Duquesne University in the Department of Educational Leadership and has been an international corporate trainer and executive coach. She is currently a Human Resources Manager for a fortune 100 company.

Her passion has always been teaching God’s Word. Donna has been a teaching leader for Bible Study Fellowship in Pittsburg, PA. and a group leader for Community Bible Study in Louisville, KY. She has also taught Christian Education, Women of the Bible and Leadership classes on the district level and in the local church. She currently consults and conducts workshops in collaborative leadership through out the U.S. Her desire is to develop collaborative church leaders who focus on reaching the lost, teaching the found, and ministering to all.

Donna accepted her calling into the ministry and became a licensed minister at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Akron, Ohio under the leadership of Pastor Jeffrey A. Dennis. She is currently a Minister at Damascus Road Missionary Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida where she was ordained under the leadership and teaching of Pastor Earl F. Jackson. Her ministry is specifically directed to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of women of all ages.

Donna has a B.A. in Special Education from Michigan State University, an M.A. in Special Education Administration from Eastern Michigan University, a Certificate in Theology: Black Church Studies from Ashland Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate in Ministry from United Theological Seminary.

Donna has been on an incredible journey through the valley, the wilderness and on the mountain top. She stands in awe of the incredible, wonderful, magnificent, sovereign God who calls her daughter.

 

Retiring from the U.S. Navy as a Senior Chief Petty Officer in 1995, David returned to Pensacola Florida and joined Damascus Road Missionary Baptist Church as a Deacon. David accepted his call into the Ministry and was appointed to serve as associate Minister of Damascus Road Missionary Baptist Church October 25th, 1998. As an Associate, he serves as leader for the following Ministries: Care, Marriage and advisors to the church musical department in which he has been designated as the church guitarist. Also certified to provide training and instructions of the Florida Pre-marital course and a Florida Notary. Minister Rich is frequently called upon to officiate in funerals, memorials, weddings, home and office dedications services. He also teaches the Intermediate Sunday School class, but can teach at all class levels.

Minister Rich graduated from Troy State University with a Masters Degree in Management; Certification in Organizational and Leadership Development from the University of West Florida and an Undergraduates Degree from Park College in Business /Human Resources Management.