You’re probably here because you were watching a sermon on TBN or caught a clip on social media and thought, "Wait, how long has this guy been doing this?" Or maybe you're like a lot of people who get him confused with the country singer Alan Jackson—different spelling, different hat, very different career path.
Pastor Allen Jackson is 68 years old. He was born on October 2, 1957. If you’re doing the math against the current calendar of early 2026, he’s firmly in his late sixties, though if you’ve seen him pace a stage at World Outreach Church, you’d probably guess he’s got the energy of someone decades younger. He doesn't really act like he's nearing "retirement age" in the traditional sense. In fact, his media presence via Allen Jackson Ministries is actually getting bigger.
Why People Search for Allen Jackson’s Age
Honestly, it’s usually about the longevity. When a church grows from 30 people in a small Tennessee town to a congregation of over 15,000, people start wondering about the man behind the pulpit. Jackson has been the senior pastor at World Outreach Church since 1989. That is a massive chunk of time—nearly 37 years in the same lead role.
Most pastors at that level of influence have either moved on to purely digital ministries or retired by 68. Jackson is still right there in Murfreesboro. He often jokes that he was "raised in a barn," which isn't just a figure of speech. His dad was an equine veterinarian, and those early years spent around horses in the Tennessee countryside clearly shaped his "straight-talk" style.
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He doesn’t use the polished, overly academic language you might expect from someone with his resume. He studied at Oral Roberts University, Vanderbilt, and even Hebrew University in Jerusalem. You’d think he’d be dropping Greek and Hebrew roots every five seconds, but he keeps it surprisingly grounded.
Breaking Down the Timeline
If you want to understand how he got to where he is today at 68, you have to look at the 1970s. That’s when it all started as a tiny Bible study in his parents’ home.
- 1957: Born in Murfreesboro, TN.
- 1970s: The "little country church" begins as a home Bible study.
- 1989: Allen officially takes over as senior pastor.
- 2000s: Massive expansion, including the 150-acre Leadership Park.
- 2020s: Global expansion through TBN and his own media ministry.
It’s kind of wild to think about. He spent his 20s and 30s building the local foundation and his 50s and 60s taking that message global. Most people are winding down by their late 60s, but he seems to be leaning into the digital age harder than ever.
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Is He Related to Alan Jackson?
No. They aren't related. This is the most common mix-up on the internet.
The country singer Alan Jackson was born in 1958, making him almost exactly one year younger than the pastor. While they both have deep Tennessee roots (the pastor lives there, the singer is a staple of the Nashville scene), they are two entirely different people. Pastor Allen spells his name with two 'L's,' and he’s significantly more likely to be wearing a suit or a casual button-down than a Stetson.
The Marriage and Family Side of Things
There is a bit of confusion online regarding his personal life, mostly because people mistake him for other public figures with the same name. Pastor Allen Jackson is married to his wife, Kathy. They’ve been partners in the ministry for years. You’ll often see her mentioned in his books or during special church events.
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They live in Murfreesboro, which is about 30 miles southeast of Nashville. Despite the "mega-church" status, he still calls his congregation a "little country church." It’s a bit of a branding thing, sure, but if you talk to the people who go there, they’ll tell you he really does try to keep that small-town feel, even with 15,000 people in the seats.
What’s Next for Pastor Allen Jackson?
At 68, the question of "what's next" is usually about succession planning. However, Jackson hasn't given many signals that he's stepping away. His podcast, Culture & Christianity, is regularly updated, and his television specials are a mainstay on networks like TBN.
He has shifted his focus recently toward how faith interacts with modern culture—basically trying to help people navigate a world that feels increasingly chaotic. He talks a lot about "intentional faith," which is also the title of one of his books. It's less about religious ritual and more about how you actually live your life on a Tuesday afternoon.
Actionable Insights for Following His Teachings
If you’re interested in following his work now that you know he’s a seasoned veteran in the ministry world, here’s how to do it effectively:
- Check the Source: Don’t just rely on YouTube clips. His main hub is AllenJackson.com. That’s where the full-length sermons live without the weird edits you find on social media.
- The "Culture & Christianity" Angle: If you find modern politics and social shifts confusing, his podcast is specifically designed for that. He tackles "big trouble ahead" (another book title) with a biblical lens.
- Local vs. Global: If you’re ever in Middle Tennessee, the World Outreach Church campus is massive and open to visitors. It’s a different experience seeing the "little country church" in person versus on a screen.
The bottom line is that Allen Jackson is 68, but he’s operating with the drive of a man who feels his most important work is still ahead of him. Whether you’re a long-time follower or just someone who stumbled upon his broadcast, his age represents a level of stability and experience that is becoming rarer in the world of high-profile ministry.