Dr. Norma Elaine Jackson

Pentecostal Assemblies of the World

1931 ~ 2005

On October 31, 1931, a great woman of God, Norma Elaine  was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Wesr Indian parents who loved God - Felix and Christine Cayenne. She was the last of four daughters. Norma was educated in the New york public school system at Girls High School, where she excelled in her curriculum. She later went on to attend various schools of higher education including, City university of New york. During this time, she met and married the late Leo Sylvester, and they had two children, Leroy and Jeanette.

Norma was a spiritually minded young woman who loved the word of God and was destined for the ministry. She was ready to receive the Lord when the children's babysitter led her to the Lord. She was baptized in Jesus' Name and received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost at King's Chapel in Harlem, New York.

After receiving the Holy Ghost, she became very active at her church and the New York State District councel. It was at a Council meeting that she heard about Aenon Bible College. At age 26, Norma received a scholarship to attend Aenon Bible College in Columbus, Ohio, but many of the pastors and ministers discouraged her from going because they felt that being a single woman ot two children it would be a hardship.

Neverthe less, Norma being a strong, determined woman of God, she was convinced that God wanted her to go to Aenon. Therefore, she packed a trunk, took off for Ohio, and spent the next eight years studying the word of God and preaching whenever she could.  She received her degree in Religious Education from Aenon while attending the church of Christ of Apostolic faith pastored by the late Bishop Karl F. Smith.

Norma admired her pastor, as he was very instrumental in her ministry, and she profited from what he taught her. As her ministry continued to grow in 1967, the Lord directed her to move to Los Angeles, California, where she would attend the apostolic faith Home Assembly pastored by the late Bishop Frank R. Bowdan. She got bust working in the house of the Lord, holding such positions as director of the Senior Choir, and Christian Education director. In 1972, the Lord directed Bishop Bowdan to ask Sister Norma Sylvester to become the Dean of the newly formed West coast school.

Sister Sylvester was already a graduate of Aenon Bible College East Coast and an inrense Bible scholar. Sister Sylvester's knowledge of the Word of God, her unique ability to deliver in a dynamic manner, her knowledge of school and business operations and most of all her sincere dedication to the service of the Lord made her a top choice as a leader. She accepted the position with zeal to serve. For many years, she would stand at the helm of the school bringing it into full stature as one of the most recognized schools of learning on the West Coast.

As a national evangelist with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Dean Sylvester continued to give superb, untiring service to the school. After working in the ministry for many years, as  a single woman, God sent her a man who would become the love of her life. On July 16, 1983, she married Vernon C. Jackson who was also a faithful member of the Apostolic Faith Home Assembly. Together they are the proud parents of five children who serve in various professional capacities.

In 1994 at the PAW Mid-WinterConvention in San Diego, California, Dean Norma Jackson was bestowed the Honorary Doctorate degree of Divinity. This special honor represented 22 years of faithful service. She later went on th become Vice President/Executive Provost and in her final capacity, she became Administrative President of the Aenon Bible College.

Dr. Jackson was on a mission to teach and preach the Word of God to those who would hear, clearly being directed by divine purpose. For over 30 years, she taught prominent pastors, evangelists, teachers, missionary leaders, youth leaders and many others who are now providing exemplary service to their congregations in their God-given capacities.

After a lengthy illness, Dr. Norma Jackson departed this life on Friday, April 29, 2005. The Lord chose to take her "Home." She kept her eyes on the Prize and she has reached her goal.