By Chauncey Bailey, The Globe
When some black Democrats groaned about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger being invited to speak at Acts Full Gospel Church, one of the largest African American churches in the Bay Area, Bishop Bob Jackson didn’t flinch or run for cover. Instead, Jackson invited the governor’s critics to come to church, too.
That was vintage Jackson. Always building bridges. Not lobbing salvos.
“I don’t have time to hate. I will reach out to Democrats or Republicans to help my people and my community,” summed Jackson, who has been trying to raise funds for his Men of Valor program, a grassroots project that gives ex-offenders a new chance by exposing them academics, job training, new skills, hope and Christianity. One of his supporters is Bruce Cox, president of the Black Contractors Association, who teaches construction skills.
“These men are now going to get jobs, get married and start families. Give God the glory,” said Jackson.
When families from New Orleans came to Oakland in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Jackson took the lead and organized a rally at the Oakland Arena to raise money.
Last Easter, Jackson joined forces with Bishop Ernestine Reems Dickerson of Center of Hope Community Church and Rev. J. Alfred Smith Sr. of Allen Temple and attracted 15,000 to the arena for Resurrection Sunday.
“Our goal is to get those without a church home here to worship,” said Jackson.
When Pastors of Oakland, a coalition of local churches, responded to a spike in Oakland’s black-on-black homicide rate, the group formed Black Men First and Jackson was named president.
He had to step down when his plate became so full as Board Chairman and founder of the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce. Jackson convinced former Oakland City Manager Robert Bobb to serve as chamber president.
“We have to support the chamber,” said Jackson. “When I went to Sacramento to get support for our community, I was told, don’t come back until we had a chamber of commerce.”
One Sunday, he urged his congregation to take and use the chamber’s membership directories “to recirculate our dollars.”
“We are helping the ’hood because we are in the ’hood,” said Jackson whose church, a former warehouse, is located on 66th Ave. in East Oakland and across from public housing.
Jackson, who will turn 60 on Dec. 31, knows the streets. He grew up in the tough Campbell Village neighborhood of West Oakland. He attended Prescott, Elmhurst and Castlemont.
Today, his SWAT team goes into the streets to “win souls for Christ.” Jackson’s newest calling is to merge the power and influence of black churches with black-owned businesses, “so we can hire our people.”
“We have the resources,” he said.
Jackson is also a force at City Hall. Leaders call on him for direction and he moved his Tuesday night Bible classes to Wednesdays “so more blacks can attend city council meetings.”
For years, Jackson has also been visible on Comcast cable - first Soul Beat and now OURTV - to preach and teach. Now, he is on KFAX radio on Saturdays beginning at 6 p.m. - a new project backed by The Globe.
“I define a community as a place where all your needs are met,” he said. “We need a community, like other ethnic groups have.”
He urges his flock to pray and give. “How would you rob God?” he sermons. “By not paying you tithes and offerings. God will pour you a blessing.”
