Paul’s Ministry…

Paul enjoys using his gifts and talents in the studio, behind the radio microphone, on the stage, or wherever else he has the opportunity! His music ministry was originally named “Serenity Ministries”, which he later changed to “Jesscott Music Ministries”, after his children, Jessica and Scott. Though now the ministry uses his name, he kept the Jesscott name for his weekly podcast, “The Jesscott Music Hour”. Paul performed in his home area of Glens Falls, NY area since the '70s. He was a member of the popular local group "Sensation" from 1983 to 1995, and in "Travelin", another group popular in that area in the '70s. He started performing, writing and recording Christian music in 1994, and was also a member of the Christian duo "Touch Of Faith" together with Debbie Deyette.

“I sing because the world needs Jesus” pretty much sums up the reason behind his music. Drawing on his experience of over 45 years in music, his smooth vocal style and simple yet moving melodies and arrangements reflects his love for the Lord and the gift he’s been given and desires to share with others.

He first picked up a guitar at about age 10, when he and a few friends wanted to be just like The Beach Boys. “I still remember my first guitar”, he recalls. “It was all plastic, with nylon strings, and I couldn’t play it at all. I wrote ‘Al’ on it because I wanted to be just like Al Jardine of The Beach Boys”. His first “real” guitar was an electric from Montgomery Ward, and he learned to play listening to an album called, “Play Guitar With The Ventures”, and it was a little while later that the he and his friends formed their first band. They learned a few Beatles and Monkees songs, and Paul remembers that he was chosen as the one to sing because “no one else would do it”. They played at school dances, parties and wherever anyone would listen. He played trumpet in Jr. and Sr. High School band, and in high school picked up the organ and piano. Little did he know then that God was starting to train him to use his talents for Him.

But the story begins further back in time, when Gibbs was adopted by Christian parents at age 2. And so he received the precious opportunity to attend church and Sunday School, and at about age 9 he gave his life to Jesus. He recalls, “We went to see Billy Graham in Boston. When he gave the invitation, I remember that at one moment I was sitting there and the next moment I was standing. I know it was the Holy Spirit calling me to stand up, and with tears in my eyes I made my way down to the stadium floor to give my life to Jesus. And though I strayed away from the Lord through the following years, I know He never took His hand away from me”.

Growing up an only child was hard, he recalls. It wasn’t until years later that he realized that he had a brother and sister, Doug and Gail, and that they were all put up for adoption due to difficult conditions. They were all adopted separately, but were reunited in 2019. “Though I wasn’t consciously aware of it at the time, the feelings of being abandoned and alone went deep inside and affected me a great deal”, he says. “Growing up, I was always trying to belong, yet couldn’t let anyone close to me for fear of being hurt.”

In the early 90’s Paul gave up the secular music scene and started writing, recording and singing music for God. “It was a gradual, but definite, change”, he relates. “My faith in God was slowly but surely coming to the surface again, as God called me to use my music for Him. And at the same time, I’m learning that my security is in God, who will never leave us or forsake us.”

His music reflects his varied musical tastes, from rock, country rock, pop and easy listening. His musical influences range from the Beatles and BTO to the Bee Gees, and from Bobby Vinton to Barry Manilow. Throw in the Eagles, Doobie Brothers, Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin, and Paul Baloche and well, you get the idea. “I played everything from hard rock, country rock, disco and easy listening over the years”, he says. “So my Christian music has the same range of styles. I’d like to think that there’s something for everyone on each of the CDs I record”.

Though he’s struggled at different times with which direction to go with his music ministry and how best to use it for the Lord, one thing remains clear – he wants to share his music with the world. “I know that God has had His hand on me, and my family, from the beginning. He’s the power behind anything good and worthwhile that I’ve accomplished. I can’t make it without Him, and I want the world to know that He’s the Way – the only Way. And we need Him now more than ever.” Paul’s songs, whether written by him or others, all contain the messages of hope, faith, and salvation that are found in Jesus.

He and his wife Brenda reside most of the time in the York, PA area, and also maintain a home in South Glens Falls, NY.

Paul hosts "The Jesscott Music Hour", a weekly podcast featuring music from indie Christian Artists, as well as hosting several programs on WNSM-DB NoteSpire Radio, and serving as Program Director for the station. He is the co-founder of NoteSpire Music with fellow music and friend Nate Miller.