June 12, Trinity Sunday, marked a double celebration for The Rev. Gary Jackson. It was his first day as full-time rector at Grace Episcopal Church, Port Orange, and the 11th anniversary of his holy orders.

Jackson, who served as priest-in-charge at Grace while the parish conducted its search for a new rector, is excited about all the church has to offer. “I am most excited about the level of service and involvement that I have found here at Grace,” he said. “I believe we have a great potential to grow as a church because most people looking for a church are looking for people who walk the walk and talk the talk.”

Before being called to Grace, Jackson served as rector and school chaplain at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and Academy, Cocoa. “I was the rector of St. Mark’s for five years, and I loved being chaplain to the students,” he said. He has also served as deacon-in-charge and then as rector at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Bartow. “I was a deacon there for six months,” he explained. “I started a few days after being ordained to the diaconate, and then, six months later, I was ordained a priest at Holy Trinity.”

Jackson has also been Stewardship Commission Chair for the diocese. In that position, he represented the Diocese of Central Florida at the annual The Episcopal Network for Stewardship Conference, which would meet in the early summer. “I brought back so much helpful information to my parish,” he said. “I also arranged for stewardship speakers in our local deaneries when they were available.”

Grace’s new rector had a long road to the priesthood. “I was a senior in high school when I first experienced the call to ordained ministry, and I experienced it again and again in my early to mid 30s,” he said. “I finally began seminary at age 35.”

When Jackson finally answered God’s call, he was not yet an Episcopalian. “I was studying and working on staff at Asbury Theological Seminary, Orlando campus, when I joined the EPCATS, the Episcopal Community of ATS. That was in 2008. I was hooked immediately.”

Within a year of his first exposure to The Book of Common Prayer, he was confirmed at Incarnation, Oviedo, and began learning from The Rev. Dr. Jon Davis. He began his work toward ordination at Asbury Theological Seminary in Orlando and completed his divinity degree in Anglican Studies at Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Wisconsin.

Jackson is married to Christina, who is a director for Advent Health. They have two sons, Skylar and Noah. Skylar and his wife, Carolynn, have two daughters. Christina’s mother, Jama, who lives with Jackson, Christina and Noah, rounds out the family.

Grace had a wonderful welcoming reception for Jackson and his family in May, and a Celebration of New Ministry service is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 11, 6 p.m., at Grace, 4110 South Ridgewood Avenue, Port Orange, Florida 32127. “We are looking forward to the bishop’s visit in the fall,” Jackson explained. All are welcome to attend.

“The best part of my call to Grace is the people I work with,” Jackson said. “We love God, and we love having a fun time together.”