Rev. David R. Jarrett Sr. was appointed pastor of First Community African Methodist Episcopal Church on October 31, 1999. Rev. Jarrett came to First Community A.M.E. from Smith Chapel Church in Inkster, MI. where he had served as a pastor since October 1990.
Since arriving at First Community Rev. Jarrett has instituted a number of new ministries and programs to address the expanding needs of the congregation and community. They are Food Pantry Program; Woman’s Bible Study; Foundation Bible Study; Bridge Mentoring Program; Community Exercise Program; M.A.P.P. Senior Citizens Prescription Drug Program; James St. Property Purchase – Parking Lot Project successfully completed; Police Chief Advisory Committee; J.A.M. Gospel RAP-Youth Dept.
He also instituted Young Adult Network (YAN) which gives church members between ages 18-40 an opportunity to become catalysts for growth and positive change in the African Methodist Episcopal Church; Up-coming programs are, Jambalaya with Pastor, an evening with the Pastor and Business Professionals within the Congregation to discuss relevant topics and issues that will serve as a clearing house for possible solutions; On-Line Bible Study for College Students, which provides a method for college students to keep in tune with their faith while they are focused on their studies.
Before arriving at First Community and prior to working in ministry full-time, Rev. Jarrett served professionally as a Human Relations Director in the City of Danville, Illinois, Correctional Advisor, Davenport, Iowa, Correctional Probation Officer, Davenport, Iowa, Cross Points Human Services Counselor, Danville, Illinois. Rev. Jarrett has been recognized for his work in community volunteerism: on the Human Rights Commission, Bloomington, Illinois, The Iowa State Human Rights Commission, Past President of NAACP, Clinton, Iowa, Concerned Citizens of Clinton, where he was appointed by the Mayor. Served on the State of Illinois “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. State Holiday Council, “ Co-Founder of the Danville Minority Council and Member of the Founding Board of Directors, Boys and Girls Club of Danville, Illinois. Rev. Jarrett’s acknowledgments include: elected to Who’s Who Among American Junior Colleges, The Dean’s list at Black Hawk College and recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award of Danville, Illinois in 1986.
His vision for First Community include to add on an extension at our present site or the acquisition of land on which to construct a new church complex. But, more important than building a new Church made of bricks and mortar, Rev. Jarrett is committed to enhancing the quality of life and improving the human condition by rebuilding families and reshaping our community through discipleship, leadership, fellowship, stewardship, and through the Power of Love.
Rev. David R. Jarrett Sr., is a native of Galesburg, Illinois where he was born to Virginia and Edward Jarrett Sr. He responded to the call of ministry in 1972. He was ordained Itinerant Deacon by Bishop Thomas Primm in 1975 and ordained Itinerant Elder in 1977 by Bishop Hubert N. Robinson. Rev. Jarrett was also elected Delegate from the Illinois Annual Conference to the 43rd Quadrennial Session General Conference. His former Pastorates include: St. James AME Church, Monmouth Illinois, Wayman AME Church, Rock Island, Illinois, Mt. Zion AME Church, Ottumwa, Iowa, Brown Chapel AME Church, Macomb, Illinois, Bethel AME Church, Clinton, Iowa, Allen Chapel AME Church, Danville, Illinois and Smith Chapel AME Church, Inkster, Michigan.
Formal educational achievements include: Black Hawk College, Moline, Illinois where he obtained an Associates of Arts Degree in 1979, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois where he obtained a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in 1981, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary on the campus of Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois where he obtained a Master of Divinity Degree in 1989.
Personally, Rev. Jarrett is a proud husband of 32 years to First Lady Valerie Jarrett and father of four beautiful children and a loving grandfather of six grandchildren. Rev. Jarrett currently resides in Caledonia, Michigan which is a small suburb located outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He currently serves as the Senior Pastor of First Community A.M.E. Church, located at 500 James Street SE in Grand Rapids, Michigan.