A Life in Ministry: An Interview with Bobby & Jane Jackson
A few years ago we were privileged at the Forum to have posted an interview we conducted with veteran evangelist Bobby Jackson. In particular, we discussed his memoir entitled Yesterday: Memoirs of an Itinerate Evangelist from 1950-2010. While Brother Bobby is essentially retired, he still takes meetings and speaks at special events. Most recently, he was one of the featured speakers at the North Carolina State Association Meeting in Greensboro in early June.
Recently I was able to enjoy some wonderful hospitality from Brother Bobby and his wife Jane in their home in Greenville, North Carolina. They shared with me some personal reflections on their life, ministry, and the Free Will Baptist movement. Below is a transcript of the interview, as well as the audio file of the interview (the transcribed time-stamps match up with the audio file).
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Jackson Watts (JW): It’s an honor to have had the chance to visit with you guys this morning here in your home. And one of the things I appreciate about you Brother Bobby and you Mrs. Jane is your initiative over the years in developing this relationship with the rambunctious little boy from the bus heading from Horse Branch Church to the National Conventions so many years ago. Naturally as we sit here we understand that we represent different generations in our movement of Free Will Baptists. I wonder as you look back over your lives, what have been the one or two biggest changes that you’ve seen since your early days in ministry? How have Free Will Baptists changed, and if so how?
Bobby Jackson (BJ) (0:54 – 3:12)
Jane Jackson (JJ): (3:25 – 4:23)
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JW: Mrs. Jane, you certainly had a unique life in ministry along with Brother Bobby because his ministry took him all over the place, and many times you would have been here at home with your children. There will be a lot of ladies listening to this interview and they’re going to be looking at their busy lives and they will think about the need for balance and unity in their lives when they’re being pulled in a lot of directions. I wonder what counsel you might give to some of our mothers out there or church leaders’ wives who are trying to sort out their role in the church and the home. Is there anything that comes to your mind in particular?
JJ: (5:10 – 6:30)
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JW: You mention traveling with Bro. Bobby some, and in Yesterday many experiences are recounted in that book—some funny, some serious, some more good or bad perhaps. I wonder if there is one that always comes to mind when you think about the past from those past meetings you’ve been in over the years. Is there just one that bubbles up to the surface?
BJ: (7:06 – 9:29)
JJ: (9:30 -10:37)
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JW: We were talking a little bit earlier before we began this interview about things that have changed in the way churches think. Thinking about the theme of revival—certainly a biblical theme we need to think of—what do you think is the biggest misconception or myth that churches need to be aware of with respect to revival, to scheduling revival services, or the theme of revival in general?
BJ: (11:23 – 12:52)
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JW: So then if we can segue a bit here, and I’m not sure how you’ll respond, but if we can look ahead what do you think will be the biggest challenge or need for Free Will Baptist churches as we move forward?
BJ: (13:11 – 14:05)
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JW: I don’t know that am I am prepared or qualified to speak on behalf of the denomination, but I know that we are very grateful for your ministry, for what you’ve done, for what you continue to do even through an interview like this. You have helped us in so many ways and have given us tools and insights and a life that I know well serve us well in the days ahead, especially as we try to address the particular challenge which you’ve mentioned. So again I just want to say thank you to both of you.
BJ: (14:44 – 14:53)
JW: Well thank you very much.
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