Empowering children in the community remains a steadfast commitment for Pastor Andrew Jefferson and First Lady Ruth Jefferson. The husband-and-wife team lead the St. Peter’s Missionary Baptist Church in Gifford, where Martin Luther King Sr. – whose son and namesake became a world-renowned civil rights activist years earlier – preached from the pulpit in 1978 under Rev. Tom E. Diamond.
Inspired by the Nobel Peace-prize winning civil rights leader’s community activism, the Jeffersons founded St. Peter’s Academy nearly 30 years ago to help at-risk youth.
Pastor Andrew Jefferson and First Lady Ruth Jefferson lead the MLK parade as grand marshals on Jan. 20, 2025 in Gifford. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS
“I’m often asked ‘how do you do it?’ I reply ‘only by the grace of God,’” said Gifford-native Ruth Jefferson, who has served as principal and administrator at the school for 26 years. “I have a genuine compassion and love for children as well as seniors. I have that compassion for people in general. It does take a village to raise a child.”
St. Peter’s Academy, which opened in 1998, brings in children who struggled in public school. The 140-student academy, located on the same property as the church along 38th Avenue, provides a rigorous education in smaller sized classrooms and focuses on character development. There are teacher aides assisting with one-on-one instruction from preschool through sixth grade, according to Ruth Jefferson.
“We’re making sure no child falls through the cracks. This shows those students can be successful with a small, individualized approach,” Ruth Jefferson said. “It was my husband’s vision to do it. He wanted to help kids in the community. The academy is one of Indian River County’s first charter schools.”
Andrew and Ruth Jefferson were honored at the Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Scholarship Banquet on Jan. 18 at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center for their community work. The couple also were grand marshals for this year’s MLK parade held on Monday in Gifford.
Deryl Loar, vice-chairman of the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners, presented Ruth Jefferson with a proclamation recognizing her as an African-American pioneer. The proclamation acknowledges the educator for “transforming the lives of hundreds of children by fostering growth, success and empowerment.”
“She has enriched our community and many, many lives. We commend her leadership of service,” Loar said during the banquet. “She exemplifies the spirit of unity, justice and progress championed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
(Left) Teddy Floyd, vice-president of the MLK Birthday Committee of Indian River County, with First Lady Ruth Jefferson and Pastor Andrew Jefferson at the MLK Banquet on Jan. 18, 2025 in Gifford. PHOTO BY NICK SAMUEL
The proclamation also recognizes the Jefferson’s 33 years of pastoral leadership and service at St. Peter’s Missionary Baptist Church. Andrew Jefferson said he’s honored to be recognized, but he’s more focused on making a positive impact in his community.
“What I do is not for awards or accolades. My purpose is to make a difference in the lives of people I come in contact with,” said Andrew Jefferson, who was raised in Wabasso. Andrew Jefferson described King Jr. as a “trailblazer” and said the civil rights activist had a major influence on his life.
“He fought for what he believed in. From (King), I learned to go after your dreams and fight for it no matter what,” Andrew Jefferson said. “King was jailed unjustly and had his home bombed. He didn’t let any of that stop him. We’re all God’s children regardless of what race we are.”
Jertavius “Jay” Curtis, a former St. Peter’s Academy student, said attending the small school was a tremendous help for him. Now age 29, the Vero Beach man works as a store manager at the Panda Express in Viera.
“The teachers (at St. Peter’s) were very personable. They went above and beyond to help me be an outstanding citizen,” said Curtis, who graduated from Vero Beach High School in 2014. “I got special tender attention and care. It elevated me to do more and be more.”
Curtis, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in integrated business in 2020 from the University of Central Florida, said the Jeffersons serving as grand marshals for this year’s MLK parade in Gifford was a well-deserved honor. Curtis said he also attends St. Peter’s Missionary Baptist Church – his home church – where he is part of the praise team.
“The pastor and first lady care about your situation,” Curtis said. “I can’t say enough good words about them.”
