Rev. Dr. James D. Jackson is currently the Senior Pastor of the Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church (GMBC) of Harrisburg, PA.
Before becoming the Pastor of GMBC he was an Associate Minister at St. Paul Baptist Church in Bethlehem, PA, under the late Marshall E.. Griffin Sr. While serving at St. Paul, Rev. Jackson was, Mid-Week Study Leader, Treasurer for the Sunday School and a past Youth Ministry Director.
Rev. Dr. Jackson received his ministerial license in September 2004. He was ordained into the gospel ministry in October 2007.
He is an active member of the Central Baptist Association of Pennsylvania. He currently serves as Vice-Moderator at Large. From 2005 until 2009 he served as the Recording Secretary for the general body. From 2006 until 2009 he served as the Recording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary to the Clergy Ministry.
Additionally, Dr. Jackson is the Treasurer for the Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention and currently serves as a member of the Commission on Peace for the Baptist World Alliance. Dr. Jackson had the privilege of being a presenter at the 2010 Baptist World Alliance Christian Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Dr. Jackson is an Instructor for the Pennsylvania State Baptist Convention Congress of Christian Education, the Central Baptist Association Congress of Christian Education, Mt. Zion Institutional Revival of Steelton, Pa and the Christian Leadership Institute of Harrisburg Pa. He teaches courses in Developing a Christian Counseling Ministry, Black Male and Female in the Development of the Family, Technology and the Church, Developing a Christian Education Ministry, Introduction to Theology, Adolescence and Faith.
He is also a member of the United Black Churches Ministry Association of Pennsylvania in Allentown, PA.
Dr. Jackson received his undergraduate degree (BA) in Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. He did his graduate work at the University of Kansas where he received his Master’s and Ph.D., in Cognitive Experimental Psychology with a concentration in Gerontology. Upon graduation in 1992, he was one of only three African Americans to hold a Doctorate in this degree in the nation. Between 2004 and 2006, Dr. Jackson completed course work toward a Master of Theological Studies at Moravian Theological Seminary, in Bethlehem PA.
In 1991, he received a Minority Dissertation Fellowship Presented by the National Institute on Aging and in 1992 he was given an Outstanding Young Men of America Award. In 2004 and again in 2005 he received the Carpenter Scholarship presented by the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation to attend Moravian Theological Seminary. Additionally in 2005, he was awarded the Rev. Dr. Elaine Bogert Scholarship Award presented by Moravian Theological Seminary.
In 2007 he received the Outstanding Teacher and Advisor Award presented by The P.A.C. Organization of Kutztown University (Participant, Academics and Campus Life). In 2006, 2007 and 2009 he received an Ambassador of Learning Award presented by Kutztown University.
In 2008 he received the Human Relations Award for his work on the Lehigh Valley Black African Heritage Project presented by The Allentown Human Relations Commission. From 2001 until 2009 he served as a Humanities Scholar and from 2001 to 2005 he was the Director of Research for the project. In March of 2009, he and other key individuals on the project received the Allentown Arts Ovation Award for Outstanding Achievement Through the Arts for the original work “Another River Flows” which was developed from the project.
In 2010 Dr. Jackson was nominated for the 2010 Edition Who’s Who Among African Americans. In 2011 he was nominated for the 2011 Edition of Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals.
Dr. Jackson is currently a Professor in the Department of Psychology, at Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA. He was formally an Adjunct Professor at Reading Hospital School of Health Science, Reading, PA and at the Wesco Evening College at Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA.
Dr. Jackson formally served on the Berks County Labor Council and is currently the Pennsylvania State Chairperson for Student-Faculty Liaison Committee of APSCUF (The Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties)
Dr. Jackson teaches courses in General Psychology, Child Psychology, Adolescent Psychology, Adulthood & Aging, Life Span Development, Experimental Psychology and Cognitive Psychology. He is the Faculty & Spiritual Advisor of the Campus Praise Ministries at Kutztown University.
He is a Co-Author of two psychology text books entitled: “Understanding Psychology” now in its 6th edition (2011) and “Foundations in Human Development”, publication date 2012.
Rev. Dr. James D. Jackson is a researcher, lecturer, and author in the fields of gerontology, academic student success and minority cultural issues, with numerous publications and numerous international and national presentations in these fields. A sought after instructor, Dr. Jackson has taught at Muhlenberg College, Lehigh University, Penn State Berks-Lehigh Valley, Widener University, Lincoln University, Moravian College, Allegheny University and Lehigh Carbon Community College and has received numerous teaching and service awards.
He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., The Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania and the Order of Eastern Star.
He is married to Lisa Ann Jackson and they have one daughter Julaya Lei Bridgette and one son Ezra Daniel Jackson.