Rev. Dr. James Jackson serves as the Transitional Ministries Specialist, collaborating with Rev. Miriam Méndez, Executive Minister and Senior Regional Pastor, on various administrative tasks while enhancing ABCNJ's interim and transitional ministries. He organizes quarterly gatherings for interim minister cohorts, promoting connection, support and education. 

When appointed to serve as the Transitional Ministries Specialist, Dr. Jackson stated, "I am honored and humbled to be part of ABCNJ’s Interim and Transitional Ministries." He embraces his personal motto from Psalm 100:1-2, “serving the Lord with gladness.” 
He served as Senior Pastor of Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church in Harrisburg, PA, where he dedicated fourteen years of service before retiring in 2022. Prior to that, he was an Associate Minister at St. Paul Baptist Church in Bethlehem, PA. He served as the Interim Pastor at Second Baptist Church in Asbury, NJ.
 

Beyond pastoral duties, Dr. Jackson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, where he teaches various psychology courses. He also serves as the vice president of the Black Faculty Caucus and is a member of the Faculty Union Representative Council. He co-directs the Achievement Initiative for Male Success program and acts as the faculty and spiritual advisor for several student organizations, including Campus Praise Ministries, the Black Student Union, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., and Phi Sigma Pi Fraternity.

Additionally, Dr. Jackson is on the faculty of the Moravian University and teaches in the Master of Clinical and Counseling program and is an adjunct professor at Wesco Evening College, located at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA.
 

Dr. Jackson holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Master’s and Ph.D. in Cognitive Experimental Psychology with a concentration in Gerontology from the University of Kansas. In 1992, at the age of 24, he was one of only two African Americans in the nation to obtain this degree. He also earned a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem, PA.

He is a co-author of two psychology textbooks: “Understanding Psychology,” (2021) and “Charting The Human Development: A Life-Span Perspective,” (2017). Recently, he also contributed to “The Pastor’s Diaries” (2022). This book is designed to help pastors understand that their most private and difficult thoughts and situations are not solely their own. It seeks to support pastors in managing these overwhelming experiences by providing insights from real-life stories showcasing significant failures and amazing triumphs.
 

Dr. Jackson was a member of the Baptist World Alliance's Commission on Peace and Reconciliation. He spoke at the 2010 Baptist World Alliance Christian Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii, and was a delegate for the BWA Peace and Justice Commission at the BWA World Annual Conference in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Reverend Dr. Michael Wilkerson Leach currently serves as Chief Operating Officer and Pastor of Administration & Ministerial Life at Cathedral International in Perth Amboy, NJ.

Having served in various leadership capacities, Rev. Dr. Leach has a wealth of Executive and Ministerial Leadership experience. In addition, she is a Radio Personality on Star 99.1FM (New York) and Star 93.3 (Ohio) as the Host of STAR CARES, where she addresses public affairs issues that impact the lives of individuals and communities.

Rev. Dr. Leach is the current Moderator and previous Treasurer of the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey – Raritan Association, a Board Member of the United Way of Central Jersey, a Police and Fire Chaplain, a Licensed Real Estate Agent, an Entrepreneur, and is an Advisory Board Member of Infinity Financial Ministries; a faith-based organization with a team of veteran professionals dedicated to training Church leaders in the areas of Clergy Compensation, Management, Church Governance, and Board Responsibilities. She has also served as Adjunct Faculty at Pillar College.

Committed to education, Rev. Dr. Leach has earned Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson University; and a Master of Divinity degree from New Brunswick Theological Seminary where she graduated with honors and was granted an award for demonstrating excellence in preaching. She also earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from New Brunswick Theological Seminary, where she graduated with distinction and honors and was granted an award for excellence in scholarship.

Rev. Dr. Leach is married to Minister William Leach and together, they have been blessed with two beautiful children.

A fervent worshiper, Rev. Dr. Leach loves the Lord and the Lord’s people. She counts it an honor and privilege to be called by God to serve in the Kingdom for such a time as this.