The Revd Jesse Jackson – remembered by those in the Methodist Church in Britain

The death has been announced of the American civil rights campaigner, the Reverend Jesse Jackson. Paying tribute, his family described his “"unwavering commitment to justice, equality and human rights helped shape a global movement for freedom and dignity".

In 1985, the Reverend Jackson visited the UK and preached at Wesley’s Chapel in London, as well as several other Methodist and Baptist churches.

Alex Sarsah is a member of the Chapel and was there for the visit– he reflects on the events of the day:

“I was then driving 'my girls' to and from the church. He was slightly late for his schedule, nevertheless he pulled a reasonable crowd and set alight the Revd John Wesley's pulpit. After his message, he came down and answered some 'political questions'. He continued and took his message to the foyer, then to the yard. The political press were in full attendance jostling for space with their questions. He no doubt marvelled the crowd and quickly filled the yard which made him to overstay his schedule. Visibly exhausted, he went to the office and had tea with the Clergy, where he 'autographed' my Bible.”

The Rev Dr Vincent Jambawo from the Belonging Together Ministers Group of the Methodist Church in Britain has written this memorial message for and on behalf of the group:

The BTMG of the Methodist Church in Britain joins a worldwide choir in mourning the passing of the Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr., a towering yet loving minister of the Gospel, a courageous and yet compassionate human rights activist, and without doubt one of the most enduring moral icons of our age. We give thanks to God for a life poured out in the service of justice, dignity, and the beloved community. We thank God for a life lived with extraordinary courage, prophetic conviction, and unwavering commitment to the liberation of all God’s children. We pray for his family, loved ones, colleagues, and all whose lives were transformed by his ministry. May the God of consolation surround them with peace. And may we honour Reverend Jackson’s memory not only with our words, but through our ongoing commitment to equity, courage, and steadfast hope.

His ministry was never confined to the pulpit or the church pews. Formed and shaped in the crucible of the US Civil Rights Movement, he walked alongside the Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr., sharing in the struggle for racial equality and the dream of a world where all God’s children can flourish. His founding of Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition expanded that vision into a global movement for economic justice, political empowerment, and human rights. His voice—bold, insistent, and grounded in the Gospel of a loving and caring God — resonated across continents, calling societies to confront racism, poverty, militarism, and any system that diminished human worth. On his death, we pray that we be enabled to respond to that call with integrity, dignity and courage.

Across decades, the Revd Jackson stood shoulder to shoulder with leaders who shaped the moral imagination of the world: Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, the Frontline States leaders, and many others who laboured for liberation in contexts of deep and harrowing suffering. His ministry crossed borders, languages, and traditions, always insisting that justice is indivisible and that none of us is free until all of us are free. For those of us in the BTMG, Rev. Jackson’s life resonates deeply and profoundly, tugging at the very heart and roots of our identity and our belonging. The BTMG seeks to nurture inclusion, justice, dignity, and belonging within the Methodist Church in Britain. Reverend Jackson’s witness embodied all these values. His commitment to inclusion, his insistence that diversity is a gift rather than a threat, and his unwavering belief that faith must be lived publicly and courageously speak directly to our calling. His witness must surely strengthen our commitment to build communities where every culture, every story, and everybody is honoured as part of God’s household. If we need a reminder and encouragement to sing our song and tell our story, then in the Reverend Jesse Jackson, we have an unparalleled paragon.

We grieve the loss of a venerated Black minister of religion whose footsteps traced the same pilgrim paths as King, Mandela, Tutu, and so many other giants of justice. Yet we also stand in profound pride and gratitude. Rev. Jackson’s legacy is not merely historical—it is a living inheritance. His example continues to challenge and inspire us as we seek to embody a Methodist discipleship that is inclusive, justice‑shaped, and globally connected. We remember too his gift of language—words that stirred the conscience of nations and strengthened the weary. Among his many enduring messages, one stands out as a beacon of hope: “Keep hope alive. Keep hope alive. Keep hope alive.”

For now, we commend the Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. to God’s eternal embrace, trusting that the seeds he planted will continue to bear fruit in movements for justice across the world. May his memory be a blessing, a summons, and a source of courage for all who labour for a world where belonging, justice, dignity, and solidarity are not empty platitudes but the lived reality for all.

“Keep hope alive”—and may we do so in his honour.