NASSAU, Bahamas, Sept. 30, 2022 — Dr. Jamila Jackson, Dean of Campus Ministry at Florida Memorial University (FMU), along with her husband Rev. Alphonso Jackson Jr. paid a courtesy call on the Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin, Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training, and Hon. Zane Lightbourne, Minister of State.
During the visit, Dr. Jackson discussed the partnership between Palm Beach Atlantic University and Florida Memorial University to offer a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion and Philosophy and a Master of Divinity Degree on Florida Memorial University’s campus.
Dr. Jamila Rauf Jackson, the second of four daughters born to Michael and Portia Rauf, was mentored by her great-grandmother, Angelina Winters, a missionary from The Bahamas, who “influenced her passion for the Lord and for ministry,” according to her biography on the FMU website.
In 2008, she obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Florida International University, where she studied English Education while serving as the president of The Impact Movement, a national Christian organization. Simultaneously, she attained an Associate’s degree from Jacksonville Theological Seminary in Religious Education.
In 2010, she received her Master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from St. Thomas University and in 2015, she graduated with her Ph.D. in Practical Theology from St. Thomas University. Her dissertation focused on Practical Theology, particularly highlighting the paradigm of Missiology in the African American Church.
Dr. Jackson attended New Birth Baptist Church for 11 years, where she served as a licensed minister and the director of the Young Adult Ministry under the leadership of Bishop Victor T. Curry. In April of 2014, she married her soulmate, Reverend Alphonso Jackson Jr., and they both were relocated to Greater New Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as the Senior Pastor. In 2022, they joined New Shiloh together. Under the leadership of Pastor D.L. Powell, Dr. Jackson was ordained.
In 2016, Dr. Jackson and her husband welcomed their first daughter, Angelina Jane Jackson, to the world. In 2019, they welcomed their second daughter, Allyson Joi Jackson, to the world. Finally, in 2021, they welcomed their son, Alphonso Jamil Jackson III, to the world. Their greatest ministry is to their three children, as they help them develop a relationship with the Lord and a passion for God’s people.
Dr. Jackson worked in the Miami Dade County Public School System since 2008 as a high school English teacher and later as an academic coach who trained teachers. After her doctoral studies, she served as an adjunct professor at Broward College, St. Thomas University, and Florida Memorial University. She is currently the Director of Theological Education Partnerships at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
In that role, she leads the Lift Every Voice Program that is housed on the Florida Memorial University campus, which offers a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in theological studies. She has been a program director (for the enhancement of pastoral work), conference speaker, guest lecturer, and panelist member throughout her career and ministry. She is a strong believer of the Gospel and strives to preach not only with words, but through her life as well. In her personal time, she leads a community women’s ministry, Graceful Transformations, which she founded in 2018. God is first and foremost in her life, and she strives to serve Him by serving His people.
Dr. Jackson is “honored to be the first female chaplain at Florida Memorial University,” her biography notes. “In this role, she will serve as the Dean of the Campus Ministry, pastoring and praying for the student body and entire Florida Memorial University family. She considers this appointment one of her greatest privileges. Her mission at the Susie C. Holley Religious Center at Florida Memorial University is to help every student have the opportunity to develop their relationship with the Lord. As Dr. Jackson creates a space for spiritual growth, she believes that this will transform the lives of students in every single area. In addition, she seeks to connect the community with Florida Memorial University through special events and outreach programs.”
