St. Matthew Church is blessed to have as our shepherd, the Reverend Reginald T. Jackson. Coming to the close of his 26th year at the helm of this congregation the church continues to grow, remains united and supportive of the vision God has given him for this church and community. He insists that this report is 'our' report, the report of the Pastor and people called St. Matthew Church.

Pastor Jackson is a "hands on" leader. While he is involved in so much activity in the state, nation and connectional church, he keeps St. Matthew as his first priority. Out of 52 Sundays, he preached 44 of them, and 42 of those 52 he preached both the 7:30 and 11am services. He is a tireless leader. Pastor Jackson teaches Bible study weekly, New Members Class, meets regularly with the children and youth of the church, where he reviews reports cards and assigns book reports, and makes himself available for meetings with members and regularly has 10-12 hour days at the church. After 26 years his drive and passion has remained strong which is why every year St. Matthew continues to grow, be creative and productive in ministry.

But Reverend Jackson is not only our pastor, but as one of the state's leading newspaper said, "he is New Jersey's "pastor". His ministry touches the lives of millions of New Jersey citizens of all races, creeds and colors. There is hardly an issue that affects those who are displaces, disenfranchised or hopeless, where his voice and leadership has not been involved and made a difference.

This year alone he has been involved and made a difference.

• Appointed as Co-Chair of the Property Tax reform Taskforce by Governor Jon S. Corzine. New Jersey enjoys the highest property tax burden in the nation. The state legislature passed a bill calling for a 20% property tax reduction.
• Pastor Jackson was one of the strongest and most persistent advocates for needle exchange legislation designed to decrease the spread of AIDS. After a difficult struggle for passage, in February of this year, New Jersey became the last state in the nation to provide needle exchange which will save countless lives, especially innocent children born with AIDS because their parents used a dirty needle. Gov. Corzine commended Pastor Jackson efforts who was given the pen used to sign the legislation.
• Pastor Jackson continues to fight for the "Urban Scholarship Act", which would provide thousands of scholarships to low increase students attending failing schools. Presently almost half of African-American children fail minimum state standard exams.
• As Executive Director of the Black Ministers' Council, Pastor Jackson advocates for the state to provide minimal health care for all the state's residents. The Corzine administration and state legislature are crafting legislation that will target the more that one million New Jerseyans without health insurance in this state.

Pastor Jackson has repeatedly said that God has called us to "both priestly and prophetic responsibilities." He is faithful to God's call upon his life and both St. Matthew and New Jersey are blessed because of it.