Bishop Maurice S. Jackson

BISHOP MAURICE S. JACKSON was born in Cincinnati, Ohio July 19, 1946 to devout parents, Superintendent Simon Jackson of the Kentucky and Tennessee District, First Born Church of the Living God, and Sister Seleria Jackson. He was brought up in the way of Holiness and filled with the Holy Ghost at a young age. As a youth he served as the organist of Potter’s Temple First Born Church, receiving his own key to the church at age 9 because of his dedication and love for the Church. He was called into the ministry at age 17 under the Pastorate of Bishop James Potter; ordained an Elder in Trenton, New Jersey at age 21; and was consecrated Bishop in Marion, Ohio, May, 1988 by Apostle Vaughn Elliott.

The First Born Church of the Living God has been his spiritual vineyard of service and true love. He served the church in numerous positions including Pastor, Diocese Evangelist, Superintendent, Presiding Elder, Assistant National Minister of Music, Diocese Bishop, Secretary of the Council of Bishops, Instructor, Dean and President of the First Born Seminary and Training School, headquartered in Waycross, GA.

Bishop Jackson did undergraduate work at Raymond Walters College, Cincinnati, Ohio; he graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1981 with a Master of Arts Degree in Political Science and completed the required coursework on an Interdisciplinary Doctor of Philosophy Degree at the University of Cincinnati. He taught one year as a Lecturer of, “Effective Speaking” in the Evening College of UC.

Bishop received a Bachelor of Theology Degree and Master of Theology Degree from the First Born Seminary and Training School, Waycross, Georgia in 1971 and 1973, respectively. An Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree was conferred upon him by the First Born Church Seminary and Training School and the Council of Bishops Accreditation Commission on July 13, 2015.

While running a revival at the True Holiness Church of God in Cincinnati, he met Sister Thyra Albert briefly at the end of service. They did not see each other again for some time until he happened to be pass by the office she worked in at the University of Cincinnati and saw her. He came in to say hello and sometime later (June 10, 1976), she became his wife, “The Lovely Sister Thyra Jackson.” They served together tirelessly doing the work of the Lord for 49 years.

He hosted a gospel radio program on WCVG Radio Station called the “Light of the Night” and asked Elder Gail Thomas to work it with him.

They enjoyed doing the program and it blessed many. One evening he wrote a theme song for the program which was called The Light of the Night. He taught the song to Elder Gail Thomas and Sister Thyra Jackson in one quick rehearsal at the end of a Sunday morning service; people seem to love it. Many referred to Bishop Jackson as “The Light of the Night.”

He tried his hand in food service opening a small fast food carry out restaurant featuring the “Glory Dog” and later opened a rent-to-own store for a couple of years. He managed an H&R Block Office early in his employment life.

He was actively involved in ministerial, civic, and community work before he   began having health problems, serving on a number of boards, to list a few: Faith and Community Alliance; Concerned Clergy; College Hill Ministerium, Former President of Justice Watch, a prisoner advocacy group; Former President of the Interdenominational Ministers Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, and Former President of the Metropolitan Area Religious Coalition of Cincinnati (this is when his health began to deteriorate preventing him from serving a full term). Bishop Jackson served as a Trustee of the Temple Christian University of Jacksonville Florida from 2006. He was Chairman of the Board for the last 7 years and will be missed by everyone.

He travelled with the Davis Sisters as their musician pianist. He said when the group didn’t have a program during service time, they would go back to the hotel and he would go find a church to attend. They fondly called him “Preacher of the Church.”

He was the Diocese Bishop of the Higher Dimensions Diocese of the First Born Church for some years, which encompassed Kentucky, Tennessee, and Northern Georgia, including Atlanta. He Founded and Pastored Greater Harvest First Born Church since 1975 until his passing, his true labor of love. He had a special love for the members of GHC. Bishop was an educated and anointed Preacher who was very capable in expounding the Word of God. He ran numerous revivals; many were saved and filled with the Holy Ghost. He never seemed to tire of doing the work of the Lord. As far as it is known he never missed a service on a Sunday morning (sick or well) in his adult life. He loved serving the Lord; loved people, and reached out to help as many as he could before God called him home. He made a lasting impression on so many. Bishop Jackson lived a blessed and happy life of which he was grateful to God.

He leaves to mourn his passing: his wife, Thyra Jackson, two sons, Elder Maurice Jackson, Jr. (Diane) and Elder Martin Jackson; stepdaughter, Kathy (Russell) Davis, a special great nephew/son whom he and Sister Jackson helped to raise, Tyroné Bray (Brionna); two sisters, Mary Carman and Faith Jackson, stepmother, Elder Laura Jackson, stepbrother, Michael Porter; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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