Reverend Donald R. Ester, Sr.
On August 23, 1955, Donald Ray Ester was born to Mr. Commodore Nichols, Jr. and Miss Mary Hill. He was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. The eldest of eleven children, Donald helped with his younger siblings. His mother was a very loving mother, but also a very strong disciplinarian. As a young boy, little Donald loved spending time with his grandparents, playing baseball, hunting and fishing. Donald Ester accepted Christ on August 2, 1965, under the guidance of his parents and grandparents which instilled the word of God in him. In 1972, Donald's younger brother. Emmett, died while lying in bed next to him. This was a very difficult time for Donald even with his mother comforting him. She told him to hold on to the good memories of Emmett's life and to remember that Emmett was with the Lord. This had a profound effect on Donald in that it strengthened his Faith in God.
Donald R. Ester was called into the ministry in 1990. He studied and served under the leadership of Pastor Dandridge. After the death of Pastor Dandridge, Reverend Ester served under the leadership of Pastor Allen of Morning Grove Baptist Church. Reverend Ester continued his Christian Education at Tennessee School of Religion and obtained his Masters Degree I. Reverend and Mrs. Ester were selected as Pastor and First Lady of the Historic New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in March of 1995. Reverend Ester's first sermon was entitled, "IN THE HOUSE, BUT LOST" the text came from St. Luke 15:8-10.