Home State:  I grew up in Indiana on a farm with wonderful parents (Bob and Aileen “Bobbie”) and 4 great brothers. We lived the farm life while taking care of hogs and cows as well as growing corn, soybeans and baling hay…sure glad for my upbringing!

Home Churches: New Whiteland Christian Church was where I accepted Christ and had my appetite for God really fed in my early years…my favorite preacher then was Hondel Adams. I began attending Greenwood Christian Church as a freshman in High School and was blessed to have been inspired by George Roberts and later, Shan Rutherford.

Early Service: My earliest Christian Service was in a Christian Rock band called “The Power and Light Company” with Dixie Stuller as our lead singer. We got to participate in a lot of concerts and events around the country and the experience really enriched my desire to serve the Lord.

Education:  My Grade school and High School years were spent in Whiteland, Indiana and I graduated in 1970. My first three semesters of college were spent at Purdue University, but I began to really feel the pull toward Bible College and transferred to Lincoln Christian College. It was there where I received my Christian education that prepared me to go into ministry. My Masters work was done at the University of South Florida and Kentucky Christian College (University).

Married Life:  I am blessed with the best wife in the world! I met Shari (Miller) at Lincoln Christian in 1972 and we were married in 1974.  We have two grown children who we love with all our hearts…Michelle, who lives in Nashville, TN and Mark, who lives in San Diego, CA. We enjoy visiting with them when we get the chance.

Ministry Experience: My first ministry experience was playing guitar and bass in various music groups in the late 60’s and early 70’s. My first located ministry was as Youth Minister at Rochester Christian Church in Rochester, IL. That was followed by my first preaching ministry at North Christian Church in Advance, IN. In 1981, Shari and I and the kids moved to Sarasota, FL where I became the minister at Sarasota Christian Church. It has been the experience of a lifetime (I’ve spent half of my life here!) and I feel blessed beyond measure to think about the number of people I have been able to preach to and to work beside over the years. We have seen God’s hand at work in countless lives and areas of service and it is very gratifying!

Mission Experience:  My first mission trip was to Nicaragua in 1998 and since then I have been there 4 times as well as making trips to Haiti, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Mississippi (Hurricane Katrina cleanup). Once you get missions trips in your blood, you want to continue to go and to bless others.    

Favorite Bible Verse: Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”

Recommended Books: “What’s So Amazing about Grace?” Phillip Yancey; “In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day” Mark Batterson; “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” Donald Miller; “When God Builds a Church” (Bob Russell); “Change Your Church for Good (The Art of Sacred Cow Tipping)” (Brad Powell); “The Reason for God” (Timothy Keller); “Eats With Sinners” (Arron Chambers)…among others…

Hobbies: Fishing (Fresh and Salt); Playing Guitar and Bass; Baseball (Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds); Football (Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers); working out.

I love God, my wife and kids, Sarasota Christian Church and people everywhere who need to know God.          

Ray Jester Worship Minister
Married to Jody since June '01. 8 kids from 4 yrs old to 17.

Reading: Primal, Radical, anything by Donald Miller

Grew up in Oak Ridge North Carolina

Don't watch sports. Ever (unless it's MMA and that doesn't last very long).

My first car was an '82 CRX. My first guitar was a Hondo.

Two truths and a lie:
I have performed multiple times in Carnegie Hall.
I am part American Indian.
I love country music.

http://www.facebook.com/rjester1
http://ray-worththeread.blogspot.com/
ray@sarasotachristianchurch.org

Free time is spent with the fam, doing martial arts, writing music with Jen, or video gaming(for the alliance).

Favorite Hero is Jack from Lost - ordinary man with problems willing to step in front and die for something.

Food? Chipotle. (period)

Movie? ... right now - Captain America: the First Avenger

TV? Not so much. Kung fu movies thru netflix.