Pastor Approaches One Year Anniversary

Reginald Jacobs, pastor of St. James A.M.E. Church in Monticello, will soon celebrate a year’s anniversary with the church, having arrived the first Sunday in June last year.

He explained that the Methodist church assigns pastors one year at a time, but he feels that it is likely he will remain in Monticello. He’s actually at the conference this week, after which assignments will be announced. He has been a full time pastor for the last 14 years, but he does do some marketing work part time on the side.

Rev. Jacobs comes to Monticello from Greater Turner Tabernacle in Macon. Before that, he preached at several other churches, including one as close as Mansfield several years ago. Rev. Jacobs has been in the ministry since 1989, and graduated International Theological Seminary in Atlanta in 1993.

Rev. Jacobs was born and raised in the Atlanta area, and most of his service has been in Georgia, although he did do a stint in South Carolina.

He has two sons, Reginald Eugene Jacobs, Jr., who is 23, and works as a music producer. His other son is Joshua Wesley Jacobs, age 12, who he describes as studious, and is at the top of his class.

All three men enjoy shooting hoops every chance they get, and Rev. Jacobs is also a pretty good tennis player.

Rev. Jacobs spends Sundays and Thursdays in Monticello, and the other days he visits the sick and shut-in, as well as tending to administrative duties.

Rev. Jacobs described the people of St. James as beautiful people, and said he wants to love all the people. Since arriving he has made some changes, particularly to the order of service, and by encouraging groups in the church to become more active. He says the lay organization is the mouthpiece for the church, and he wants to see it grow.

He said his main goal for the church is to grow the church spiritually.

He said his words to live by are Matthew 6:33– But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.