Rev. André P. Jefferson, Sr. began his ministry in May 1989 at St. Mark A.M.E. Church, Virginia Beach, Virginia where his Father the late Rev. Henry E. Jefferson was the pastor.  At St. Mark he served as Youth minister and St. Mark greatly supported his ministry. He graduated from Norfolk State University in 1989 with a B.S. Degree in Public School Music Education.  In January 1990 he began seminary studies at the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University obtaining a Masters of Divinity Degree with honors in May 1993.

 

This annual conference year, Rev. Jefferson celebrates his thirty first year in the ministry and is in his twenty-eight year as a pastor in the AME Church.  He has been the pastor of four AME churches in Virginia. In each pastorate there were notable, spiritual, financial achievements and many souls have come into the kingdom through his ministry. On July 2001 he was appointed the 47th pastor of historic Bethel AME Church in Hampton, VA and has served there for eighteen years.  

 

Rev. Jefferson serves in many capacities in the Virginia Conference.  He serves as evangelism director for the Portsmouth Richmond Roanoke District, on the Virginia Conference Board of Examiners, conference treasurer, conference finance committee, judicial review board, ministerial efficiency committee, conference adjustment committee, conference trustees, SED Finance committee, and coordinator for the Sons of Allen for the Virginia Conference and was past coordinator for the Second Episcopal District Sons of Allen. 

 

He is proudly married to his wonderful wife Mrs. Tracey B. Jefferson and she is a vital partner for him in ministry. They have two wonderful Christian children: Rev. André Pierre Jefferson, Jr,, an elementary music teacher in Norfolk, Virginia and Pastor at New Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church in Chesapeake, VA; and Alexus Diane Jefferson, a senior health services management student at Norfolk State University.

 

Rev. Jefferson is an accomplished saxophone player and adheres to the call in Psalm 150 that we praise the Lord through the musical instrument. Wherever he goes, his horn cannot be too far behind. In 2012 he released his first Gospel album Hymns in the Key of Glory and it has been well received.  Another album is in the works.

 

His chief desire is to be used as a vessel to show the world the love of Jesus Christ.