Jerome Douglas, “Rome,” was born and raised in Washington, D.C., spending most of his life in northwest D.C. and graduating from Bell High School. He grew up in a culturally Christian family where many professed faith but seldom practiced it. Common vices included drugs, sexual promiscuity, and greed, exacerbated by the city’s violence and poverty. The imprisonment of his parents led Rome into a similar lifestyle.
In 2012, Rome’s life changed dramatically when his best friend invited him to a Christian youth conference. During the event, he became aware of his sins and the need for change. He began abandoning his old ways immediately after.
Rome started his Christian journey at Bethel Campus Fellowship, where he led Bible studies, prayer calls, and outreach events. He also helped replant a chapter at Howard University, where he met his wife, Dr. Analise Douglas. Following Analise to Jackson, Rome attended Jackson State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing. While at JSU, he served four years as a youth leader at New Hope Baptist Church and a student leader at Reformed University Fellowship, being discipled by Jim Adams and Elbert McGowan.
After graduating from JSU, Rome and Analise moved to New England. He worked as a sales and marketing professional at various companies in corporate America. They attended church at Bergen, where Rome led various small groups and participated in a ministry leadership cohort. In 2020, he felt a call to pastoral ministry. He spent the last four years in Connecticut, studying at Reformed Theological Seminary and serving as a Pastoral Intern in the Southern New England Presbytery at Christ Community Presbyterian Church.
Rome and Analise have returned to Jackson with their daughter, December. He loves the city of Jackson and has a passion for urban, holistic gospel ministry.
Ask Rome about post-apocalyptic and dystopian movies/shows, Christian hip hop, or his shoe collection.
