At just 31-years-of-age Mr. Jackson is one of the youngest priests in the Diocese of Newc­as­tle and comes to Kurri  from a post as assistant priest in the Parish of Mayfield, Islington and Carrington.

Born and raised on the Central Coast, Mr. Jackson is a graduate in Law from Macquarie University, in addition to his qualifications in theology.

He was officially commissioned as priest-in-charge of the parish at St. Paul’s Church, Kurri on Monday and said that he is very excited about getting to know the local community. 

“For me it is going to take some time to really get to know the area but I am really looking forward to it,” he said.

“Here I will be working with a lot of people who have been working with the church for decades, but I am also looking forward to meeting knew people.”

Mr. Jackson said that he also has a passion for working with the youth and is hoping to bring a new enthusiasm back to the church. 

“We cannot continue to do the same thing and expect more people to come to our services,” he said. 

“We are still of the same faith, the same gospel and working all for the faith of the church, but we will also be offering things that are a little bit different while always doing our best to be faithful and praying for the community.” 

Mr. Jackson’s first weekend services in the parish will be at St. Paul’s Kurri this Saturday at 5pm, on Sunday at St. Mary’s Weston at 8.30am and Christ Church Mt. Vincent at 10am.