Jay Forester was born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida, and comes from a line of Southern gospel ministers. He graduated from Belhaven College in 2002, earning a B.A. in Biblical Studies; he received an MDiv in 2006 from Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) in Jackson, Mississippi.
From 2004-2009, he served part-time on staff of The First Presbyterian Church of Madison, working with the middle school and high school students. Upon graduating from RTS, he taught seventh grade and fourth grade in local Christian schools around Jackson, receiving the honor of one of Wal-mart’s Teacher of the Year (2007-2008). In October of 2009, he was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) while serving at Lake Osborne Presbyterian Church in Lake Worth, Florida.
In 2011, he joined the ministry staff at Seacrest Presbyterian Church as the Minister of Families and Youth Ministries. During his time at Seacrest, he has worked with the children, youth, and families of the church, served as the superintendent and liaison between the church and its preschool ministry, chaired the Shepherding Committee for the Gulfstream Presbytery, and more. Since the beginning of 2023, he has ministered to the church as the only pastor on staff, while the church searches for its next senior pastor.
Jay and his wife, Anna, were married in 2003, and they have five children.