Bishop Harry Jackson, Kingdom General and Racial Unity Champion, Dies at 67
Bishop Harry R. Jackson, Jr., senior pastor of Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, Maryland and an advisor to President Trump on spiritual matters, died at home this morning at 6:35 a.m., sources have confirmed. He was 67.
Hope Christian posted the following statement on its website:
Bishop Harry R. Jackson, Jr. has transitioned to be with the Lord on November 9, 2020.
Dear Hope Christian Church Family,
It is with a heavy heart that we notify you that our beloved Bishop Harry R. Jackson, Jr. has transitioned to be with the Lord on November 9, 2020. Information about the memorial service will be forthcoming. Please pray for the Jackson Family’s comfort and respect their right to privacy at this time.
With Love and Support,
Pastor Joni Michele Jackson
Pastor David Parlette
Dr. Rickardo Bodden
Jackson was well known as a kingdom general. Pastor to more than 3,000 congregants, he was a national and international Christian leader. He visited the White House frequently and on Good Friday of this year, participated in prayer with Trump and other kingdom leaders as part of an Easter blessing.
Jackson fought tirelessly for racial unity in America, especially within the church. He was part of a group, along with Vice President Mike Pence, that rebuked injustice after the death of George Floyd in Minnesota earlier this year. Watch this video to hear stirring commentary from Pence and from Jackson on the battle for racial equality.
Megachurch Pastor Jentezen Franklin of the Free Chapel expressed his grief over Jackson’s death: “Today we’ve lost a giant of the faith and an outspoken advocate for biblical justice. And I have lost a dear friend. Bishop Harry Jackson lived a full and vibrant life doing everything he could to make Jesus known. I’m going to miss him tremendously. Cherise and I are lifting up his family, friends, and church congregation in our prayers today.”
“Bishop Harry Jackson was a truly great man of God, a man of integrity, compassion, wisdom, godly zeal, strength, righteousness and love,” bestselling author Jonathan Cahn, who led an online “Faith Night” at Jackson’s church on Oct. 22, said. “He stood for what he knew was right in the face of challenges and opposition that would have intimidated and silenced others,” he added. “And he did it all with gentleness and grace. He was a true shepherd and a true friend. It is all the more wanting on this side of heaven, but all the more joyous on the other. Well done, good and faithful servant of God!”
Dr. Alveda King spoke with Jackson over the weekend. The daughter of the late civil rights activist Rev. A. D. King and niece of Martin Luther King Jr. shared Jackson’s heart for Jesus Christ and racial equality. “Bishop Harry R. Jackson, Jr., Christian brother, friend and mentor to many, has transitioned and he is now home with the Lord,” she said. “He called me this weekend and we talked. I thanked him again for writing the foreword to our book, We’re Not Colorblind. Farewell for now, my friend.”
Jackson was also the founder and president of the High Impact Leadership Coalition and the International Communion of Evangelical Churches. He hosted the nationally syndicated Harry Jackson Show on American Family Radio. With a Bachelor of Arts from Williams College and an MBA from Harvard University, Jackson was published in media such as The Washington Post, The New York Times, the Associated Press, Charisma magazine and the Christian Post. He also appeared on multiple television news programs, including CBS Evening News, MSNBC, BET, The O’Reilly Factor on FOX and CBN.
As the world learns of his unexpected passing, many others are reaching out to honor a man who impacted them personally—and the world around him—for the cause of Christ.
“Bishop Harry Jackson was a longtime friend, so I feel this loss personally,” said Stephen Strang, founder of Charisma Media. “But more than that, he was a great leader in the body of Christ nationally, and he was astute and respected in many political circles. His passing leaves a huge hole.”
Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, released the following statement in reaction to Jackson’s passing:
“Bishop Harry Jackson can best be described as a man of impeccable integrity, an exemplary leader and a role model for those committed to Psalm 89:14—righteousness and justice, truth and love. He will be sorely missed. Without a doubt, earth has lost one of God’s generals, but heaven has gained. Bishop Harry Jackson will forever be remembered as a model of what it is to love God and love your neighbor.”
Paula Price, president of Price University, host of Taking IT on with Paula Price and overseer of The Congregation of the Mighty in Bixby, Oklahoma, had the following comments:
It is with a heavy heart that I join the rest of our fellow Christians and families in Christ grieving the loss of Bishop Harry Jackson Jr. First of all, my prayers and condolences go out to his family for the immense sorrow they feel at his death. Next, I send my condolences to Bishop Harry’s church, Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, Maryland.
I am glad to say I had the opportunity to sit next to Bishop Jackson in June of this year when he attended the City Elders’ meeting the weekend of President Trump’s rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. At that time we shared profound conversation on the tough issues facing our country, the African American community and the nation’s struggles. I found his thoughts enlightening, yet sobering and provocative. He certainly was a man of great grace.
God’s kingdom, His church and our country will certainly feel the loss of such a brave, outspoken leader. I know firsthand from that encounter how devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ Bishop Jackson was as a conservative and guardian of America’s justice, especially that of Black America.
Bishop Joseph Mattera, author, theologian and founding pastor of Resurrection Church in New York City, tweeted when he learned of Bishop Jackson’s death, “I just got word that Bishop Harry Jackson passed away! We just lost a great general and giant in the faith! I feel devastated right now!
I just got word that Bishop Harry Jackson passed away!!
. We just lost a great general and giant in the faith! I feel devastated right now!— Joseph Mattera (@JosephMattera) November 9, 2020
Ralph Reed, conservative political leader and founder of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, posted his condolences on Twitter, saying, “A great man of God, a profile in courage, and a great American. He is irreplaceable!
So sad to hear of the passing of my friend Bishop Harry Jackson. A great man of God, a profile in courage, and a great American. He is irreplaceable.!
— Ralph Reed (@ralphreed) November 9, 2020
Lee Grady, author, ministry leader and former editor of Charisma magazine, also shared his grief on Twitter: “I fondly remember interviewing him during my days at Charisma. His family needs our prayers.”
I’m very sad to hear that Bishop Harry Jackson passed away today. I fondly remember interviewing him during my days at Charisma. His family needs our prayers. pic.twitter.com/9E5xgBaOg1
— Lee Grady (@LeeGrady) November 9, 2020
The bishop’s first wife, Dr. Vivian Michele Jackson, died on April 2, 2018, after battling blood cancer. Jackson remarried on Sept. 5, 2020. He leaves behind his wife, Rosalind Lott, and two children from his first marriage.
In his final sermon, preached at his home church this week, Jackson spoke of hope: “The world needs hope … and truth.” In the message, he shares a positive vision for America. In tribute, take time to listen to this final message.
Please join the Charisma Media staff and our families in praying for the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us as only He can. Jackson’s finest days are now being lived. {eoa}
