Daniel R. Jackson in the NAD headquarter’s C. D. Brooks Chapel [photo by Pieter Damsteegt/NAD]
The Regional Presidents Council, the Office for Regional Conference Ministries (ORCM) and the Regional Conference Retirement Plan (RCRP) wish to express our great sorrow on the passing of our colleague, our friend and our brother, Elder Daniel R. Jackson, former President of the North American Division of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist (NAD).
Elder Jackson was a true friend of Regional Conferences. He was a champion of social justice and one who could be counted on to speak out against injustice and for diversity and inclusion—even though that was not always popular.
He was also a champion of women in ministry. Under his leadership, the opportunities for women to use their gifts in leadership and ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church were greatly increased.
Elder Jackson’s support for Regional Conferences was not just verbal. When Message Magazine—like the vast majority of magazines in the United States—was experiencing some financial challenges, Elder Jackson said to the Regional Conference leadership that the times in which we live, required the ministry of a magazine such as Message.
He and his fellow officers at the NAD began working with the Regional Conference leadership and the leadership of Message to develop a financial plan that has put Message in a position where it is now financially viable.
There were other instances—such as capital reversion—where Elder Jackson demonstrated that his support for the work of Regional Conferences was not just verbal—
it was tangible as well.
Most of all, Elder Jackson demonstrated himself to be a down-to-earth servant leader who loved God, loved the people of God and was loved by many in return. He will be greatly missed, but we expect him to soon be seen in that land where Death itself will die.
Until then, our deepest condolences to his equally down-to-earth and well-loved wife, Donna, their children, grandchildren, and the rest of his family.
“Even so, come Lord Jesus”.
Blessings,
Elder William L. Winston, President, South Atlantic Conference/President, Regional Presidents Council
Elder Roger Bernard, President, Central States Conference/Vice President, Regional Presidents Council
Elder Pete Palmer, President, Allegheny West Conference
Elder Marvin C. Brown, President, Allegheny West Conference
Elder Garth Gabriel, President, Lake Region Conference
Dr. Abraham Jules, President, Northeastern Conference
Elder Benjamin Jones, Jr., President, South Central Conference
Dr. Michael Owusu, President, Southeastern Conference
Dr. Carlton P. Byrd, President, Southwest Region Conference
Dr. Leslie N. Pollard, President, Oakwood University
Dr. Kenneth Manders, President, Bermuda Conference
Elder Virgil Childs, Vice President for Regional Ministries, Pacific Union
Elder Byron Dulan, Vice President for Regional Ministries, North Pacific Union
Elder Dana C. Edmond, Executive Director, Office for Regional Conference Ministries (ORCM)
Dr. W.T. Cox, Sr., Executive Director, Regional Conference Retirement Plan (RCRP)
Dr. Margaret Neckles, Chief Financial Officer, ORCM
Mrs. Yvonne Collins, Chief Financial Officer, RCRP