Introducing Moderator-Elect Rev David Jackson

Rev David Jackson has been named Moderator-Elect of the Synod of Western Australia. The announcement was made during the Saturday evening business session at the 49th Annual Meeting of the Synod of WA and received with joyful applause!

Following the announcement made by Uniting Church WA General Secretary Rev Dr Andrew Williams on Saturday 13 September, David was invited to respond to the gathered members where he shared his great enthusiasm and humble thanks in being entrusted with the role. David said,

“I’m looking forward to taking on this role for which I am deeply thankful and humbled by the trust shown in me by the Synod.”

Past-Moderator Rev Steve Francis, then lead the Synod in prayer for David and for the church.

David now assumes the role of Moderator-elect until he is Installed as Moderator at a date to be confirmed. Rev Dr Ian Tozer will conclude his term as Moderator at the end of September 2025.

About Rev David Jackson

David Jackson was ordained as a Minister of the Word in the Uniting Church in 1978. He served in the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, in the Tasmanian Parishes of Georgetown and the West Coast Patrol. He then had placements in the Western Australian Synod, serving in Karratha where he was working alongside the local congregation as well as supporting a number of Frontier Services staff in the town, and then later in the Maylands-Mt Lawley congregation.

In 1992 David began military service as a military chaplain, first in the Army Reserve, and then in 1999 in full-time service. In 1996 he assisted in response and recovery following the Blackhawk disaster, a tragic accident that claimed the lives of 18 soldiers. He went on to serve in roles including Senior Chaplain for Special Operations Command and Senior Chaplain for the 2nd Division. During this time he earned two commendations and a Conspicuous Service Medal for his service. He also provided spiritual oversight and pastoral care of other chaplains and their families. During his military career David was deployed to Timor-Leste, Bougainville, Iraq and Afghanistan.

After retiring from the Army in 2019, David went on to serve in the Synod of Western Australia as the Convenor of the Disaster Relief and Community Recovery Working Group. David also helped establish the WA Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network in partnership with the Council of Churches WA and the WA Synod. He is currently the senior chaplain to this network.

In 2022 David came out of retirement and returned to a ministry role as a Disaster Recovery Chaplain for Frontier Services based in the Mid-West, assisting in supporting local communities recovering from the impacts of tropical cyclone Seroja. After 18 months in that role he then moved further North to serve as Frontier Services Bush Chaplain in the Pilbara Patrol, a role he is currently active in. During his time in the Pilbara he has enjoyed working with First Nations communities, and has walked alongside the Fijian community in Port Hedland as they established the Hedland Fijian Uniting Church, and most recently supporting an emerging worshipping community in the remote town of Marble Bar. (You can read more about his ministry in the Pilbara in a Revive story here.)

In the national Uniting Church, David is currently on the National Disaster Fund, and has been a member of two Assemblies including the most recent 17th Assembly.

David describes his passion for the Uniting Church as being rooted in its commitment to addressing poverty, racism, and advocating for the inclusion of all people in decision-making.

David shares life with his wife of 49 years, Diane, who travels and volunteers alongside him in the Pilbara sharing her expertise in hospitality and teaching with the communities they connect with. David and Diane have three children and six grandchildren.

We wish David and Di every blessing as they prepare for this next chapter of ministry and service.