High Sheriffs value the traditiion appointing their own Chaplain to attend on them and assist in matters of faith. Respecting the background and faith of a High Sheriff, the Chaplain can be a faith leader of any religion or denomination.
Bishop John W. O. Jackson is the Senior Pastor of NTCG The Lighthouse in Leicester and District Bishop for churches across several counties in the Midlands. Combining spiritual leadership with scientific expertise, he has a professional background in analytical chemistry, radiography, and MRI/NMR technology. Before full-time ministry, he spent over 30 years in education, finishing his career as Head of Science at a secondary school in Wolverhampton.
He entered ministry in 2007, became Pastor of NTCG Muntz Street in 2008—growing the congregation from under 40 to over 300—and was ordained Bishop in 2018. Known for his strong Pastor–Teacher gifting, he delivers leadership and educational seminars across the UK and internationally.
He and his wife Alison of over 30 years lead marriage and relationship seminars and support couples through pre-marital counselling. They have three children: Madison, Shashamani, and Rae-Kwan.
Bishop Jackson has a strong record of community engagement, including interfaith work in Birmingham, the “Prayer for Pakistan” initiative, and contributions to race awareness training in Leicester. His peace-building efforts earned him the Birmingham Peace Award. He also serves as Spiritual Advisor to the Lord Mayor of Leicester and sits on the National Leadership Executive Council for England and Wales.
The Chaplain plays a valuable role as adviser to the High Sheriff on inter-faith matters in the community, and often accompanies him on visits to charities, voluntary groups and other faiths and denominations.
Leicester Cathedral is the mother church for the Diocese of Leicester and the seat of the Bishop of Leicester. Its mission is to be a beating heart for city and county serving the rural and surrounding areas alongside the diverse City of Leicester.
As an open Christian community this is done through welcome, worship and witness taking inspiration from the Cathedral's patron, St Martin of Tours, whose generosity and Christian faith transformed the community.