D.N. Jackson (1895–1968)

Baptist preacher and debater. Dr. Jackson was one who blazed trails for higher education among associational Baptists. Dr. Jackson was ordained Sept. 2, 1913 at the age of 18, and he pastored 14 churches during his ministry. His last pastorate was the First Baptist Church of Mixon, Texas (now the First Missionary Baptist Church.) Over the years of his ministry, Dr. Jackson participated in 162 formal debates.

At age 23, he was a young pastor with the General Association of Baptists in the United States and was also elected as editor-in-chief of the Baptist Sunday School Committee. Various state and regional associations of Missionary Baptists began to unify, and that resulted in the formation of the American Baptist Association (ABA). The young editor helped draft the constitution of the new association of churches.

Dr. Jackson held the editorial position from 1924-1937. He also served as president of the ABA from 1935-1937.

He was a prolific writer during his ministry. In 1926, he and his friend, Ben M. Bogard, wrote Evolution: Unscientific and Unscriptural. In addition to numerous other publications, Dr. Jackson wrote Studies in Baptist Doctrines and History.

In 1952, Southeastern Baptist College in Mississippi was organized with Dr. Jackson as its first president. He later led in the purchase of the campus that is now Central Baptist College in Conway and also served as CBC’s first president.

The man was truly a trailblazer for higher education among Baptists. He was instrumental in the development of what is today the BMA Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, Texas. From 1955-1967, he served there as professor of theology and church history.

The man from the tiny community of Balch, Ark. spent his last years in Oklahoma City, where he was president of Midwestern Baptist College. He died at the age of 73 on Nov. 29, 1968.