Jessica Atkinson was born in Memphis, Tennessee, but moved to Destin at a very early age. She attended Destin Elementary, Bruner Junior Highschool and is a graduate of Fort Walton Beach High School. She attended Troy University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in economics. She is currently a Financial Planner with Independent Retirement Associates of Raymond James Financial Services. She got her start in music at an early age with piano lessons, learning to play the French horn and the trumpet, and singing in church by the age of 12. She is currently studying the guitar and the ukulele. She was cast in the musicals Grease, at Okaloosa Walton Community College while in high school, and The Will Rogers Follies while a student at Troy University. She was a soloist and a member of the Praise Team at Hunter Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama for several years. She was a worship leader at Beachside Church for over 11 years.  She is currently a worship leader at Shoreline Church in Destin and a vocalist for the local band, The Rowdies. She also participates in various musical duos.  She has served on multiple non-profit boards and committees over the years, including Junior League of the Emerald Coast and United Way Emerald Coast. She has a loving husband, Shane, two incredible sons, Dylan and Zach, and a granddog, Marlo.

“I don’t have a favorite worship song, because it depends on what I need to hear from God at that particular moment. Sometimes a song that I haven’t paid attention to will suddenly speak to me in a way I’ve never known before, and I know it’s a divine moment. I believe that’s because most worship songs are taken right out of scripture and we know that scripture is the living, breathing Word of God. Everyone relates to music, and it speaks to your soul. God created us to worship him with song and with our voices. It says in the bible, that He sings over us!!! That is why I love being a member of Redeemed. We take music with the message of Jesus out of the church and directly to the people where they are! I want everyone to know Jesus!! He has changed my life!! There is a difference between religion and a relationship with Jesus! I was an adult before I understood the difference and it has been incredible. He is my Rock and my Redeemer! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for Redeemed Worship Band and for me in the future. His plans are so much better than mine!”