The turn of the twentieth century was a time of exponential change and rapid transformation for society. New technologies burst on the horizon. Radio, television and aircraft were all in their early stages of development and we can trace the roots of Gospel music to those early years of the 1900’s. Quartets were formed for the sole purpose of traveling and selling the newest songbooks, and oftentimes, they would travel to singing schools and conventions to sell the latest edition. It was at one of these singing schools where the Lesters story begins. In 1922, Harvey Lester went to the Old Fashioned Singing School in Hayti, Missouri and met his future wife, Opal LuMeart. Harvey and Opal married, moved to Saint Louis and began a ministry in music that today, has reached beyond its centennial year. Four generations later, the ministry continues with Harvey and Opal’s grandson, Brian Lester and his family. Brian, his wife Sandra, their son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan and Bailee, and their five children. Today, their obedience to the calling of God is just as strong as it was in 1925 when their story started.
The History
In 1925, Harvey and Opal moved to Saint Louis, Missouri. That year marked the beginning of their ministry as a family as well as their musical career. They would sing in churches, tent revivals, street meetings and missions. Brian Lester specifically recalls the work his grandparents did at the Sunshine and Zinzer Missions. “I remember going to both of those missions when I was a kid,” says Brian. “I couldn’t have been more than six or seven years old, but there were people in downtown Saint Louis that needed help and I vividly remember going there and singing for those folks.” If there is one thing that can be said of Harvey and Opal Lester, it was that they invested in their local community and pioneered ways to reach the lost for Christ. In addition to the meetings, revivals and missions, The Lesters began to expand and promote concerts in Saint Louis. “They began to promote at a place called the Old Saint Louis House and later, the Kingsland Theater,” Brian explains. “During that time there were a lot of people that didn’t think that kind of thing needed done. But my grandpa said, ‘This is where the door is open and we believe the people will come.’ They did, and the Lesters successfully promoted for many years in the Saint Louis area.
Another way The Lesters walked through the doors God opened was through their television show. For 27 years, The Lesters hosted a show on Channel 5, the NBC affiliate in Saint Louis, every Sunday morning. The most amazing part of it all? The Lesters never paid one dime for air time. Brian explains, “My grandmother was never afraid to ask! She went down there and talked to the folks about a show and they worked out a barter system. We paid for the production of course, but the show would fade to black three times and they would sell the commercials to make their money. For 27 years we did that, and did we plan it that way? I don’t think so, but the Lord did!” From all those years on television, The Lesters schedule was booked solid. Harvey Lester was the emcee for the show and would always include information about how to have the family at a church service or gathering. From that, the family never had to travel more than a 300 mile radius for a concert and they never picked up the phone to book their own dates. The phone rang non-stop to have this family bring their ministry to a church or event. From day to day, God’s mission and purpose for this family simply unfolded before their eyes.
The Mission
The faithfulness of God to use The Lester family and their willingness to walk through those doors in obedience speaks to the heart and purpose of this family’s ministry. And those days of faithfulness and usefulness to the kingdom are just as strong today as they were when Harvey and Opal began. “This is all I’ve known my entire life,” says Brian. “I remember riding in the back window of the big Buick we had years ago that pulled a trailer and when we bought our very first bus in 1959. I saw it unfold, then and now.”
As time passed, Brian and his sisters grew up, graduated high school and continued with their family’s ministry. Now, Brian sings with his son and daughter-in-law, and so we reminisced with him about the time when he realized this ministry wasn’t just something he did with his family, but the ministry God had called him to with his life. Brian recalled the time when he graduated high school and had a special opportunity. “For seven months, I filled in with Jerry Goff and the Singing Goffs. The Goff’s were very special to our family and Jerry worked it out with my dad. I was flying back and forth and singing with both groups. That was in 1971 and it was an experience I’ll never forget. But I’m thankful God kept me here where I was supposed to be. All I have ever wanted to do was sing, drive the bus and praise the Lord.”
The Lord’s leading in Brian’s life to continue with his family not only kept the legacy of the family going, but their work in the surrounding community as well. A great example of this, is their Easter celebration at Meramec Caverns, which is celebrating its 60th year in 2026. The owner of the caverns was a man named Lester Dill. “I wish I could tell you how my grandfather and Mr. Dill got together,” says Brian, “but they came up with an idea to have an Easter service inside the cave. Mr. Dill was a promoter, and he advertised the service saying, “where the sun never rises and never sets!”
Back then, a pastor would come and preach and they would have a scene of the Easter story. Today, we do a passion play with a cast of about 50 people that takes place on Saturday night and Sunday morning.” Brian’s son, Jonathan, portrays Christ in the play and creates the media and lighting elements for the program. The family sings songs that coincide with the story that feature the cross, tomb and ascension of Christ. The attendance will run in the 700’s for the weekend. To that Brian says, “It always amazes me that the people will come to the cave for Easter, but then we’ll never see them anywhere else the rest of the year. So we keep the main thing the main thing, and that’s sharing the gospel.”
Through moments like this, we recognize that there is a spirit of unity that has been passed down through the generations. What Harvey and Opal have started, Brian and his family are continuing. Even more, this mission is not just done through sentimentality, but the calling of God and learning valuable lessons from those who have gone before. “I am so thankful that I’m not just doing this because it’s what grandpa said to do.” Brian explains, “I am thankful that God instilled it in my heart as I’ve grown older. I’ve seen and experienced how doors open for a purpose in ministry, but I am glad I had some leadership point me in that direction. I believe that played a major role in my life personally, and now, I am seeing that unfold in Jonathan’s life.”
The Forward Legacy
With over 100 years in the past and untold possibilities ahead, Jonathan and Bailee are leading the charge to bring up the fifth generation of little Lesters. They were married in Meremac Caverns in 2012, but Bailee didn’t begin to sing with the family until a member change left only Brian and Jonathan without a third part one weekend. “Bailee had no problems at all about coming to sing,” says Brian. “Like my wife Sandra, she said she would do anything to help the ministry. So on the way to Marshall, Indiana, Jonathan asked her, ‘Honey, the door is open for us. Do we walk through it or do we walk away?’ And they walked through it together.” Jonathan and Bailee have five children, Jonathan, Jayda, Josie, Judah and Jamie, ranging in ages from 12 years old to just under a year old. The children travel with their parents and join them on stage nightly. “They love being a part of what we get to do,” explains Brian, “When you take them in and include them, something’s going to happen. I love watching them after a service; especially little John. I’ll look over and he’s talking to somebody…sometimes for a long time! And I love seeing that because they’re going to influence somebody, even other kids along the way. AndI think that’s a wonderful thing.” Needless to say, the future is bright for the ministry of the Lesters. “I firmly believe this is where the Lord has placed us,” says Brian. “There is such a future for this ministry to continue on with Jonathan and Bailey. I see their heart to not just sing, but to serve, and I love that. With that kind of heart and background, you know this ministry will continue on.”
The Lord has given so many opportunities for this family to build up the kingdom in the last 100+ years. Their ministry has been characterized by willingness and obedience, and those traits are still the foundation of their work today. Whether you look back to Harvey and Opal in the 1920’s pioneering through television, promoting and missions or to today, with Brian, Jonathan and Bailey singing, maybe preaching and raising up little Lesters who already are learning to love to the people and this music, it is evident that this is not just a legacy, but a calling that God has placed on the generations.
