Jay grew up in Norwalk, California, where he attended Catholic elementary school. Growing up with two older brothers, he had a love for sports, which included baseball, basketball, football, and anything else that would exert energy.
He later attended a Catholic high school, where he ran cross-country and got involved in other non-organized sports. During those high school years, he started to experiment with alcohol through parties and friends. At 16 years old, he began working for a large supermarket, which eventually lasted 12 years. Through those years, he continued to develop relationships and a lifestyle that was centered on everything but Christ.
After graduating high school, he attended Fullerton College but eventually dropped out to explore the possibility of making supermarket management his career.
Although he had a Catholic upbringing, he never believed in God. In 1992, at the age of 22, he was drawn to Christianity, after witnessing real life changes in his mother and brother, who had converted the year prior. He began taking Bible School classes very soon after his conversion because of his desire understand what he believed and why he believed it. He eventually began volunteering at Calvary Chapel Golden Springs, where he later served on staff as a pastor for 11 years; from 1997-2008.
In September 2008, he began serving as an Associate Pastor at Calvary Chapel La Habra. He currently oversees the High School Ministry, Youth Internship, and School of Ministry.
Jay has been married to Lisa since 1995 and they have three sons.