Evangelist Vanessa Jackson, M.Divinity
Serves as an Associate Minister at Pilgrim Baptist Church. She grew up in Durham, NC and was educated in the Durham Public School system. She began her ministry experience early through song, at the age 5, and learned that worship must come from the heart.
Evangelist Jackson has served in many roles before receiving the call to preach, which include leading worship, choir director, spiritual counseling, and Christian Education. Missions work include door-to-door ministry, visiting the sick, serving the homeless, and prison ministry. She is a published songwriter, psalmist, poet, and currently working on her first book. She loves spreading the gospel through song, preaching and teaching God’s word.
She is the mother of two wonderful children, Steven and Kaitlyn. She also has two granddaughters, Milan and Melody, who she loves doting on. Evangelist Jackson strongly believes that love should be the motivating factor for serving. “Without it, we are merely making noise.”
She has received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from North Carolina Central University in Mass Communications, where she also studied music and a Masters of Arts in Religion and Theology and a Master of Divinity from Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary.
Favorite Scripture: 1 John 4:19 “We love Him, because He first loved us.”
Serves as an Associate Minister at Pilgrim Baptist Church. She grew up in Durham, NC and was educated in the Durham Public School system. She began her ministry experience early through song, at the age 5, and learned that worship must come from the heart.
Evangelist Jackson has served in many roles before receiving the call to preach, which include leading worship, choir director, spiritual counseling, and Christian Education. Missions work include door-to-door ministry, visiting the sick, serving the homeless, and prison ministry. She is a published songwriter, psalmist, poet, and currently working on her first book. She loves spreading the gospel through song, preaching and teaching God’s word.
She is the mother of two wonderful children, Steven and Kaitlyn. She also has two granddaughters, Milan and Melody, who she loves doting on. Evangelist Jackson strongly believes that love should be the motivating factor for serving. “Without it, we are merely making noise.”
She has received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from North Carolina Central University in Mass Communications, where she also studied music and a Masters of Arts in Religion and Theology and a Master of Divinity from Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary.
Favorite Scripture: 1 John 4:19 “We love Him, because He first loved us.”
Prophetess Pamela Y. Smith
Ordained to the office of prophet by God in 1992, "to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down,” what is not of God, and “to build, and to plant," a people after God’s own heart.
Prophetess Smith is an ordained minister, who alongside her husband Joseph, ministers words of empowerment and encouragement to youths and young adults in prison. She is active in women’s ministry and Nursing and Rest Home ministry. She also works with adults with developmental disabilities. She has authored and published 5 books.
Received a Bachelor of Science Degree from University of Maryland University College, completed Biblical Studies at United Christian Bible College, Christian Counseling at Light University, and Pastoral Education at Duke University.
Her favorite Scripture is: "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalms 27:1
Ordained to the office of prophet by God in 1992, "to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down,” what is not of God, and “to build, and to plant," a people after God’s own heart.
Prophetess Smith is an ordained minister, who alongside her husband Joseph, ministers words of empowerment and encouragement to youths and young adults in prison. She is active in women’s ministry and Nursing and Rest Home ministry. She also works with adults with developmental disabilities. She has authored and published 5 books.
Received a Bachelor of Science Degree from University of Maryland University College, completed Biblical Studies at United Christian Bible College, Christian Counseling at Light University, and Pastoral Education at Duke University.
Her favorite Scripture is: "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalms 27:1
Rev. Joshua Lassiter, Jr.
Rev. Lassiter’s ministry extends over a period of 40 years. He joined Pilgrim Baptist Church in the 70’s under the leadership of then Pastor, Rev. Willie Thornton. He served in the capacity of Sunday School Superintendent and Associate Minister during that period.
He preached his first sermon at Pilgrim Baptist Church. As the years progressed, he joined Ambassador Cathedral Church, where again, he served in the capacity of Sunday School Superintendent and Associate Minister.
Rev. Lassiter not only served in his church, but he was; and is still, a servant in God’s vineyard. He joined Yoke Fellow Prison Ministry early in life and ministered in different prisons, rest homes and nursing facilities.
Now in his 80’s, Rev. Lassiter still ministers at Durham Hosiery Mills, bringing comfort to those who are unable to get out to go to church.
Rev. Lassiter came back home and rejoined Pilgrim Baptist Church in 2021. He continues to serve God faithfully in his golden years. We are blessed to have him with us as an example of how age plays no role in what we can do when we allow God to use us.
Rev. Lassiter's words of encouragement to all is, "Hold on...no matter how hard it gets...just hold on!"
Rev. Lassiter’s ministry extends over a period of 40 years. He joined Pilgrim Baptist Church in the 70’s under the leadership of then Pastor, Rev. Willie Thornton. He served in the capacity of Sunday School Superintendent and Associate Minister during that period.
He preached his first sermon at Pilgrim Baptist Church. As the years progressed, he joined Ambassador Cathedral Church, where again, he served in the capacity of Sunday School Superintendent and Associate Minister.
Rev. Lassiter not only served in his church, but he was; and is still, a servant in God’s vineyard. He joined Yoke Fellow Prison Ministry early in life and ministered in different prisons, rest homes and nursing facilities.
Now in his 80’s, Rev. Lassiter still ministers at Durham Hosiery Mills, bringing comfort to those who are unable to get out to go to church.
Rev. Lassiter came back home and rejoined Pilgrim Baptist Church in 2021. He continues to serve God faithfully in his golden years. We are blessed to have him with us as an example of how age plays no role in what we can do when we allow God to use us.
Rev. Lassiter's words of encouragement to all is, "Hold on...no matter how hard it gets...just hold on!"
