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::Pastor Jackson Bio::

““Inspired by the UFCM mission to affirm that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people have access to God’s love, I gained insight into my own spirituality, strengthened my personal connection to God, and began to move beyond my personal fears and doubts. I am compelled to share my belief of God’s unconditional love with others.” 

Reverend Janyce L. Jackson has served as Pastor of Liberation In Truth Unity Fellowship Church (LIT) since January 2005. As a pivotal member of the Unity Fellowship Church Movement (UFCM), she has dedicated her life to serving in any capacity to ensure there is a place for people to worship the God of their understanding regardless of their gender, gender expression or sexual orientation. You can find Reverend Jackson in church on Sunday preaching God’s love for all people and in the community during the week serving, working and advocating for justice for all people.

“Prior to coming to LIT, Reverend Jackson spent 30 years in the New York City Police Department. Her career began as a 911 operator, and she retired as a Deputy Director in the Telecommunications Unit. Rev. Jackson earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Queens College, City University of New York, and is a graduate of Newark School of Theology.”

In 1990 after attending her first Unity Fellowship Church Service in Los Angeles, Reverend Jackson’s life changed; she found a place where her relationship with her life partner, Regina Shavers was affirmed. She found a place where she could worship without restrictions on who she had to be, how she had to dress, and who she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. She vowed to support the UFCM and prayed for a UFC church to come to the east coast. Her prayers were answered when the first church was founded in New York City. She became a Founding member of the New York City church, and left there to become a founding member of LIT in Newark, in 1995.

Reverend Jackson volunteered at Loving In Truth HIV Prevention Services, which emerged out of the AIDS Ministry of LIT. She now serves as Executive Director of Loving in Truth, which consists of HIV/AIDS prevention, education and care services at two locations in Newark serving those most at risk in the community. In her role as the Pastor of LIT, Reverend Jackson leads a cadre of ministers, deacons and lay persons to shape LIT into the same welcoming safe space she found back in the Los Angeles church.

Family: 2 daughters and 2 grandsons