Walking by faith

As staff members of American Family Association (AFA), Isaac and Maidie Jackson serve different roles, but their work shares a common purpose: using their creative gifts to glorify God. Isaac began working as an audio engineer for American Family Radio (AFR) in May 2023, and Maidie joined the ministry in April 2024 as a graphic designer.

A providential meeting

Their relationship began years earlier while attending Mississippi College (now Mississippi Christian University). A mutual friend invited Maidie to play piano at her church, and she picked up a drummer (Isaac) on the way.

“I’ll never forget it,” Maidie told The Stand. “I saw him walking down the street, and I knew in that moment I was going to marry this guy.”

She continued: “I thought, ‘I’m crazy!’ I didn’t want to get married at the time. I just thought I was going to live a life of singleness. So, after that night, I avoided him for six months. But we eventually reconnected.”

“I asked her about a ceramics class she was taking,” recalled Isaac. “I needed to fill some [college credit] hours, so I joined the class.

“I was a psychology major,” he added, “so I was kind of in her world at that point.”

Maidie recounted advice from their ceramics class teacher: Don’t get attached, because most things break in the kiln.

“But we broke that rule,” she said as she laughed.

Faith through uncertainty

They married during the COVID-19 pandemic and stepped into a new season of life together. Their early years of marriage taught them to rely on God for all things, as they wrestled with health concerns, job uncertainty, and making ends meet. Isaac’s search for work was met with one closed door after another, until God finally opened one opportunity.

“We weren’t sure how we could continue financially,” said Isaac, “but I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to stop applying for so many jobs, except for the one at AFA. So, I applied and felt that God was affirming that direction. Then, I was hired.”

Maidie began working at AFA soon after.

“I’m so grateful,” she reflected, “because I’m artistic, and God has blessed me with a job where I get to create things for His glory.”

For Isaac, work at AFA is more than just employment. It is a place where God is growing him, in both technical skills and spiritual development. As the podcast producer for The Hour of Intercession, hosted by Pastor Joseph Parker, Isaac is growing daily in his walk with God.

“Working under Pastor Joseph,” he said, “I basically get to [hear] a sermon five days out of the week.”

Life and calling together

“We have five cats,” said Isaac. “They were all picked up off the street. One of them was bottle-fed from two days old.”

Aside from their feline friends, the couple loves to fill their home with times of fellowship with other believers.

“We love spending time with friends,” Isaac continued. “So, we invite people over, hang out, play games, share meals, and [focus on] investing a lot into our friendships.”

These relationships are key to their spiritual growth. They know what it means to listen, trust, and move when God calls them. At AFA, Isaac and Maidie continue to grow individually and together, glorifying God with their work as they live out His calling.