August 10, 2005

East Lansing - Michigan State Police (MSP) Director Colonel Tadarial J. Sturdivant is pleased to announce the appointment of Chaplain Andrew Jackson as Chief Chaplain of the MSP Chaplain Corps. 

Jackson joined the department in 2002 as chaplain at the Rockford Post.  As Chief Chaplain his responsibilities include organizing and leading statewide and regional chaplain meetings; recommending changes in the chaplain program, structure and personnel needs; and serving as liaison between chaplains and the department. 

The MSP Chaplain Corps was created in 1932 with two chaplains, a Catholic monsignor from Flint and a Presbyterian minister from Kalamazoo.  Both had previously served in World War I as military chaplains.

Today, the MSP Chaplain Corps has 32 members performing a wide variety of pastoral duties, which include: providing emotional and spiritual support for department members and their families, visiting sick or injured officers and family members, assisting with spouse and family needs, performing funeral ceremonies and participating in post or district meetings.

Jackson was ordained in 1994, and is the senior pastor of Carlisle United Methodist Church in Byron Center.  Before becoming senior pastor, Jackson was an assistant principal at a middle school and high school and a business education instructor.  He was also associate pastor at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids from 1985-1994.

Jackson received his certification in theology from Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill. in 1987.  He also holds an educational specialist degree and a master’s degree in business education from Michigan State University.

Jackson currently resides in Byron Center with his wife, Phyllis.

Read more news releases from the Michigan State Police.