Lester began his ministry with Southside
as Interim Minister of Music/Senior
Adults in November 2007. Before joining
the staff he was Worship and
Administrative Pastor at Lakeside
Baptist in Lakeland, Florida, for ten
years. In addition, Lester was with the
Music Ministry Department of the Baptist
Sunday School Board, now known as
LifeWay; Director of the Music
Department, Arkansas Baptist State
Convention; Associate Director of the
Music Department, Florida Baptist
Convention, and served on staff of
Murray Hill Baptist, Jacksonville for 12
years. Having lived in Jacksonville for
17 years Lester said, “Coming to
Southside is like coming home.”
Lester, the son of a Baptist preacher,
grew up in Miami and publicly accepted
Jesus as Savior at age 7. He received
his undergraduate music degree from
Florida State University, Master of
Church Music degree from Southwestern
Baptist Theological Seminary, and
completed additional graduate work at
Westminster Choir College in Princeton,
New Jersey. When not at church Lester
enjoys time with family: wife, Jo Ann;
daughter and her family in Savannah,
Melody, Donnie and grandsons, Logan and
Brandon.
Favorite Bible verse: Zephaniah3:17 -
The Lord your God is with you, He is
mighty to save. He will take great
delight in you. He will quiet you with
His love. He will rejoice over you with
singing.
Favorite Hymn: “God of Grace and God of
Glory”
Hobbies: Golf, reading legal mysteries,
Florida State football, video games
