Mother Jessie McKnight served as the first lady of the Church of God by Faith, Inc. for nearly 30 years. She is one of 12 children born to Deacon Essie and Mother Robbie Camps. She was saved at the age of 16 and has been a member of the Church of God by Faith for 58 years. As a youth, she was active in various departments of the Gainesville COGBF, including the WWC Department and singing in the choir. She recently celebrated 60 years of marriage to Emeritus Bishop James E. McKnight, Sr. and to this union, four children were born: Janice Phillips, James Jr., John, and Jonathan. Mother McKnight enjoys teaching children the ways of the Lord and working with the Vacation Bible School. She also teaches cooking and sewing classes to young ladies from various churches.

At the local level, Mother McKnight established a Women of Purpose Ministry for young girls and single women. She also  established a Widows Outreach that addresses the needs of aging women county-wide. At the national level, her first role was as a National Assembly Sunday School instructor.  She later believed it was essential for pastors and ministers wives to retreat   outside the church from their stressful lives in the ministry.  Other women such as Mother Cora Williams shared the same vision of a retreat. Consequently, Mother McKnight presented the idea to the Executive Council and it was approved. The first annual Women's Retreat was held in 1996 and continues still. Mother McKnight also organized two national choirs. The Pastors Wives Choir had its inaugural performance at the 1998 Assembly and the Deacons Wives Choir was launched in the year of 2000.