Jess Gaul

Jess (short for Jessamine) grew up in the small eastern North Carolina community of Bethel, and is a lifelong, faithful Tar Heel (Go Heels!). She received a bachelor's degree in journalism and political science from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2018, and completed a Master of Divinity at Duke Divinity School in May 2021. She joined the body at WCF in February 2022. Her friends with and without disabilities at L'Arche are who first helped her fall in love with Washington, DC, in a summer 2019 internship.

Jess is passionate about supporting others to discern how God is moving in their lives and has a deep desire to create compassionate, healing space for people in marginalized communities and who have suffered trauma. She loves to bake, cook, talk about niche topics in pop culture, and attend live theatre. Jess is especially grateful for the support of her family: parents Rusty and Lisa, brother Sam and sister-in-law Lindsay, brother Grey, and pup Rudy. Jess lives in Bloomingdale and enjoys dinners with her housemates, coffee shops and exploring the city! (Her current favorite spots are The Royal and Creative Grounds coffee and collaborative art space.)