Pastor Bester graduated from the University of South Africa, was ordained in the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA) in 2010, and pursued continuing education at the University of Pretoria and Princeton Theological Seminary. He has served churches in a wide variety of cultural settings from small rural farming settings to large urban and sub-urban settings.

In describing the kind of ministry setting to which he felt called he said, “… to a congregation that places an emphasis on the need for a life-giving relationship with God, and one that holds to this relationship as the bedrock of her service to others. In other words; a congregation that takes discipleship seriously – both in her life of worship, her care for members and her outreach to others.”

While the majority of his 20 years in ministry have been in South Africa, Pastor Bester and family spent 3 years serving a church in Michigan. Additionally, he has been fully engaged in denominational activities with the UPCSA and was invited by the Synod of the Covenant, Presbyterian Church USA, to teach on the Belhar Confession.

Pastor Jaco describes his wife Jacqui as the most incredibly supportive and loving wife. And his is father to five beautiful and vivacious children: Migeul, Ryan, Emily, Sarah and Luke.

In his personal time his hobbies include everything sport related, cooking and trying new foods as well as going on crazy-long road trips with the family.