This summer Assist Church Expansion launched the Ed Jackson Church Multiplication Award. The award is named after an influential leader in the Charis Fellowship who had a big impact in the life of many churches around the country.
Ed Jackson served in the US Marine Corp during World War II and with the Ohio State Highway Patrol before entering into ministry. He devoted forty years to church planting and missions work in Alaska, Florida, Ohio, Indiana, and the CAR. Ed also served as Director of Church Planting for Grace Brethren North American Missions for five years (1985–1990).
In the early 1960s Ed was part of the original group who started Grace Polaris Church, the first Charis Fellowship church in Central Ohio. In the 1990s Grace Polaris planted Grace Powell Church, where Ed went on to serve as a missions pastor. Grace Powell planted Encounter Church, who planted Movement Church, who planted Three Creeks Church, who planted Contrast Church. Six generations of Charis churches in Ohio can trace their roots back to the influence of Ed Jackson.
The Ed Jackson Church Multiplication Award seeks to:
- Honor Pastor Ed’s legacy of relentless dedication to church planting.
- Inspire a church planting/multiplication culture within the Charis Fellowship.
- Recognize individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to expanding the Gospel through church multiplication.
- Encourage lifelong dedication to church expansion, following Pastor Ed’s example.
The inaugural award was presented to Pastor Mark Artrip at Charis Fellowship Conference on July 10, 2024, at the Assist Church Expansion sponsored meal. Mark, who planted and is the lead pastor of Movement Church, has exemplified the four criteria for the award: A proven track record in successful church expansion initiatives, innovation in reaching new communities with the Gospel, mentorship and development of future church planters, and a life marked by faith, perseverance, and a passion for spreading God’s Word.
“It’s humbling to be mentioned in the same breath as a trailblazer like Pastor Ed Jackson. He was a friend and mentor who set the bar very high for living a life devoted to church planting fueled by prayer. I love telling stories of Ed’s faithfulness and sacrifice for our Fellowship of churches and I’m honored to be recognized and continue his legacy.”
More information about the award, as well as a video of the award being presented to Mark, can be found on Assist Church Expansion’s website here.