Willie Mae

Willie Mae Jackson was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to Alonzo and Virginia Rooks. She is married to Darrell Jackson, senior pastor of the Bible Way Church of Atlas Road and a Senator for the State of South Carolina. They have two sons: Darrell, Jr. and Antione Joseph (wife, Kourtnee), and four grandchildren: Kimbrielle, Andrew, Kynidee and Kynslee Jackson.

In 1982, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Benedict College in Marketing with a minor in Business Administration. In 1991, Mrs. Jackson became an active member of Women of Faith – an interdenominational ministry for Christian women. In 2000, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology from Truth Bible College & Seminary; and, in 2015, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia International University, Columbia, SC, where she studied Biblical Expository.

In 2003, Mrs. Jackson was ordained as an elder by the Bible Way Church World Wide, Inc., and promoted to senior elder in 2005. In 2013, she was promoted as the first female associate pastor at the Bible Way Church of Atlas Road, where she also serves as the president of its Women’s Ministry.

Mrs. Jackson is the founder of the Jannie R. Jackson Women’s Center and The Ruth House. She founded The Woman’s Touch Live internet broadcast and the Woman’s Touch magazine. She is also a member of the Bible Way Executive Board of Trustees. She has authored a wonderfully inspirational book entitled, Three Steps to Prayer. She is a prayer intercessor, a conference speaker, and a biblical teacher, both in person and virtually.

Among many accolades and awards, she has received:

  • The Women of Excellence Award in Ministry presented by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Nu Omicron Sigma Chapter (2018)
  • The Gospel Heritage Foundation Exemplary Community Service Award (2020)
  • The School of the Great Commission Theological Seminary Humanitarian Award (2022)

Mrs. Jackson is a content creator with a collection of inspirational videos that air live on Facebook entitled, Just A Thought (JAT). In addition, she created the widely popular t-shirt, “W.I.F.E.” (Women Influenced For Empowerment).

Her motto is: “Wherever the Lord leads me, wherever the Lord says go, and whatever the Lord blesses me with, I will give Him all the glory.”