Reverend Keynon Lamont Jackson
“Pastor Key”
Reverend Keynon Lamont Jackson, affectionately known as Pastor Key, is the youngest child and only son born to Deacons Kevin and Veronica Jackson. He is the grandson of the late Reverend Albert J. Holman, who faithfully served for thirty-three years as under-shepherd of Mount Olivet Missionary Baptist Church in Schenectady, New York. His spiritual heritage and commitment to ministry are deeply rooted in this legacy of faithful service.
In 2009, Pastor Key was licensed to preach the Gospel at Union Baptist Church in Harlem, New York City, under the leadership of Reverend Antonio Darnell Anderson. While there, he led Family Bible Study for youth and adults, served as a resource leader for youth, young adult, and men’s conferences, and founded and directed the Minister of Evangelism for three years. Through this ministry, he mobilized believers to share the love of Jesus Christ throughout the streets of Harlem and surrounding communities.
Pastor Key later served under the spiritual direction of Pastor Rodney and Reverend Jacqueline Lyde at Baptist Temple Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There, he ministered to youth and young adults and was appointed Associate Minister of Preaching, proclaiming the Word multiple times each month.
Upon returning to New York City, Pastor Key served as an Associate Minister at Union Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of his spiritual father, Reverend Brian D. Scott. Under Rev. Scott’s mentorship, his preaching gift was sharpened and his leadership capacity cultivated. In March 2019, Union Baptist Church ordained Pastor Key to the Gospel ministry.
In addition to his pastoral ministry, Pastor Key formerly served in the public school charter system as a teacher of Social Justice, Creative Writing, and English Composition. His passion for education and formation extended beyond the pulpit into the classroom, where he equipped students to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage issues of justice with integrity and purpose.
Pastor Key has also contributed to published works, offering theological reflection, pastoral insight, and ministry perspectives in collaborative book projects. His written contributions reflect his commitment to biblical faithfulness, social awareness, and practical church leadership, further extending his voice beyond the local congregation into broader ministry and academic conversations.
A product of the New York City Public School System, Pastor Key graduated from the High School of Art and Design in 2004. He earned an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts from Herkimer County Community College (2006), a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Geneva College (2014), and a Master of Arts in Ministry from Drew Theological School at Drew University (2020). He is currently a doctoral candidate and a Pointer-Brown-Goodman Fellow at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
In 2019, Pastor Key was installed as the eighth pastor in the history of Sharon Baptist Church in the Bronx, New York, after serving one year as Acting Pastor. He faithfully shepherded that congregation for five and a half years. In 2024, Reverend Keynon Jackson was appointed the seventeenth Senior Pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Griffin, Georgia. Through prayer and unwavering faith, he believes God has directed him to “the land that I will show you,” entrusting him with the leadership of the oldest Black church in the city’s history, established in 1867.
Pastor Key is also a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. Though blessed with many gifts, none brings him greater fulfillment than teaching and preaching the Word of God to edify the Body of Christ while faithfully leading God’s people.