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Biography for Lary Jackson, Assistant Director, Michigan CWS/CROP
“Loving God and neighbor is at the core of my life’s witness and mission ,” states Lary Jackson. He is the newest addition to the Michigan CWS/CROP Regional office team. Lary joined CWS/CROP in March of 2006 and serves as assistant director focusing upon the Western Michigan area.
Lary grew up in Detroit during the 1960’s and 1970’s, graduating from Osborn High School in 1975. Through those years of cultural challenge and adversity, he grew to appreciate the rich diversity of his neighbors as well as God’s call to stand up with and for his neighbors in the face of injustice. Following graduation, he attended Hope College in Holland, MI, where he received a B.A. in psychology/sociology. He continued his education at Western Theological Seminary, graduating with a Master’s of Divinity in 1983.
Lary was first introduced to CWS/CROP in 1981 while on a seminary internship in Albany, NY. The youth group had CROP walked in the past and that year he became the recruiter for First Church. Upon completion of his seminary education, he received a call to minister in Grand Haven, MI, at Second Reformed Church. For 20 years he served this church and the community. Because of his positive experience with CROP in Albany, he was happy to coordinate a walk in the Tri Cities (Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg) as a fresh out of seminary pastor. This led to a 19 year stint as a coordinator, a wonderful way to proclaim God’s love for all people and gratefully respond to our neighbors.
Throughout his ministry, Lary has sensed God’s invitation to impact the community for Christ’s sake. Service as a fire chaplain, with LOVE INC., Habitat for Humanity, the Housing Coalition, the ministerial association, and the community coalition to combat racism were a few of the avenues traveled to pursue peace and justice. He also led several mission trip adventures to a variety of places: Chicago; New York City; Detroit; Grand Rapids; Apache, Oklahoma; Breton, Alabama; Neon, Kentucky; Honduras; and Israel. Through each of these opportunities came the ability to express love for God and neighbor.
Most recently, Lary served the Resurrection Reformed Church in Flint, MI, as an interim minister. There, too, he was able to participate with CWS/CROP as a recruiter and walker for his church. Over the past 25 years, a common thread in his life has been an association and love for the ministry and mission of CWS/CROP.
In 1997, he was invited to travel to Central America on a CWS Constituent Trip. Through this experience, he was able to see firsthand how Jesus’ commission of spreading the good news would begin in the local community and then could be extended and expanded throughout the world through partners of CWS.
It is an honor and a privilege to minister with Church World Service/CROP and serve alongside so many people who seek to extend Jesus’ hands to those in need. Lary is especially pleased to work with the cooperating churches throughout Western MI who have demonstrated a willingness and commitment to work together to address human need and challenges for God’s sake. He looks forward to coming alongside many to continue the mission of CWS/CROP: “Christians working together with partners to eradicate hunger and poverty and to promote peace and justice around the world.” To this end may we walk together, being merciful neighbors to whomever God puts in our path.
Lary grew up in Detroit during the 1960’s and 1970’s, graduating from Osborn High School in 1975. Through those years of cultural challenge and adversity, he grew to appreciate the rich diversity of his neighbors as well as God’s call to stand up with and for his neighbors in the face of injustice. Following graduation, he attended Hope College in Holland, MI, where he received a B.A. in psychology/sociology. He continued his education at Western Theological Seminary, graduating with a Master’s of Divinity in 1983.
Lary was first introduced to CWS/CROP in 1981 while on a seminary internship in Albany, NY. The youth group had CROP walked in the past and that year he became the recruiter for First Church. Upon completion of his seminary education, he received a call to minister in Grand Haven, MI, at Second Reformed Church. For 20 years he served this church and the community. Because of his positive experience with CROP in Albany, he was happy to coordinate a walk in the Tri Cities (Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg) as a fresh out of seminary pastor. This led to a 19 year stint as a coordinator, a wonderful way to proclaim God’s love for all people and gratefully respond to our neighbors.
Throughout his ministry, Lary has sensed God’s invitation to impact the community for Christ’s sake. Service as a fire chaplain, with LOVE INC., Habitat for Humanity, the Housing Coalition, the ministerial association, and the community coalition to combat racism were a few of the avenues traveled to pursue peace and justice. He also led several mission trip adventures to a variety of places: Chicago; New York City; Detroit; Grand Rapids; Apache, Oklahoma; Breton, Alabama; Neon, Kentucky; Honduras; and Israel. Through each of these opportunities came the ability to express love for God and neighbor.
Most recently, Lary served the Resurrection Reformed Church in Flint, MI, as an interim minister. There, too, he was able to participate with CWS/CROP as a recruiter and walker for his church. Over the past 25 years, a common thread in his life has been an association and love for the ministry and mission of CWS/CROP.
In 1997, he was invited to travel to Central America on a CWS Constituent Trip. Through this experience, he was able to see firsthand how Jesus’ commission of spreading the good news would begin in the local community and then could be extended and expanded throughout the world through partners of CWS.
It is an honor and a privilege to minister with Church World Service/CROP and serve alongside so many people who seek to extend Jesus’ hands to those in need. Lary is especially pleased to work with the cooperating churches throughout Western MI who have demonstrated a willingness and commitment to work together to address human need and challenges for God’s sake. He looks forward to coming alongside many to continue the mission of CWS/CROP: “Christians working together with partners to eradicate hunger and poverty and to promote peace and justice around the world.” To this end may we walk together, being merciful neighbors to whomever God puts in our path.