About Gretchen Jester

Gretchen and her husband, Dan Jester, have three amazing kids, Corbynne Rachel, Simeon Thomas, and Samuel Judah. Gretchen began writing poetry at the age of 7 and songs by the age of 17 and, in 2010, completed her first release of a 2-CD album. Being a third generation pastor’s kid, and currently the wife of a Pastor, she’s always known her calling was in ministry. Some areas of ministry that she enjoys the most are leading worship, performing her music in concert/coffeehouse settings, and speaking/singing at events and locations like conferences, churches, retreats, and weddings.

On a more personal note, Gretchen describes herself as a Type “A” personality that got distracted by a party in the social sector. She loves singing and writing songs, pouring into the lives of women, and is a gifted exhorter/teacher that desires to build people up in the knowledge and hunger of the Word.  As personality types go, she is a cross between administrative and social; she truly enjoys getting her hands into a good administrative project, BUT spending time over coffee or pedicures with one of the ladies God has put in her life is a joy!  Her desire is to someday finish her Biblical Studies and Music Associates degrees from Western Baptist College (now Corban University) by adding a Counseling degree, a degree that would be helpful in all the areas that she loves most about ministry and people.

When asked how Gretchen is inspired to write her songs, she says it starts with doing her devotions near her piano and keeping a notebook and pencil handy. The songs are simply derived from what God has challenged, comforted, and/or counseled her in that day.  Some come from how God’s Word has affected seasons of life and ministry, some from struggles, some from incredible answers to prayer, but all seem to come very quickly as GOd’s hand is evident in putting them together. Her continued desire is that He would use her to simply be the instrument through which He plays HIS music.

One of her most recent songs, entitled “I Will Go,” tells of God’s call on their lives and encouragement to follow where He leads. It has quickly become the theme song for years of incredible leaps of faith as continually God has called them to go! The music video below was created as a surprise from dear friends of the Jesters, Chris and Crestina Hardie of Red Speck Media. They took the song that had been used as a background for the Apprentice Ministries, Inc. Interview Video and then added their precious daughter and beautiful videography to make a stunning visual depiction of a childlike faith that will go wherever God calls…