Jess Whetsel was born and raised in Northern California. He married his wife, Marcia, in 1965. They moved to Idaho along with their two children in 1977. Jess was saved in 1977 through the ministry of Southside Community Church, Cocolalla, ID.

Jess and Marcia were discipled one -on -one for three years using a Bible School curriculum. He then taught Sunday School, was involved in a Prison Ministry, Bible studies and discipleship. Jess was a cabinet maker by trade and when construction slowed down in 1983, he moved his family to Hayden Lake. He became a lay pastor in a local church there for 10 years.

After their two children were married, they moved back to the Sandpoint area. They began attending Kootenai Community Church in 2000. Jess has been active in teaching adult Sunday School, Bible Studies, and discipleship. Jess has been an elder since June of 2003.