About the Author

Jerald B. McQueen was born the second eldest of four children to Ollie and Alfrader Jerald, originally from Palmetto, Florida, before the family relocated to what is now Miami Gardens, Florida. It was in Palmetto, at just 7 or 8 years old, that a barefoot walk down a shell-paved street led young Jerald and his cousin Margaret to the open doors of a little church, and into the first powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit that would shape the rest of his life. He didn’t know it then, but that bass drum pulling him down the street was the beginning of a calling.

Decades of life, its triumphs and its trials, followed. Through it all, Jerald remained planted in ministry. He served in music ministry as early as 1965 at Saint John International Baptist Church, continued through the House of God-Miracle Temple in 1973, and went on to serve as Sunday School Teacher and Music Minister at Jesus People Ministries in Miami Gardens. In 1997, he was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through New Generations Ministries School of Ministers, also serving as Minister of Music and Minister of Baptism. His ministry journey continued at Solid Rock Ministries, Peaceful Zion Missionary Baptist Church, and most recently Memorial Temple Baptist Church in Miami.

In 2024, Jerald founded Phoenix Publishers, LLC, stepping boldly into the role of author. Starlight, Forever Bright is his debut work, a Spirit-led revelation years in the making, delivered to him in the early morning hours, piece by piece, until the full picture emerged. He resides in Miami, Florida with his wife Carolyn, his heartbeat, and together they close every chapter the same way they’ve lived, with faith, grace, and blessings to share.