Jeff was born in Albemarle, NC on September 5, 1961. He is the eldest of four children. In June 1979 he graduated from Ashbrook Senior High School in Gastonia, North Carolina. He then enlisted in the United States Navy where he served as an Interior Communications Electrician and obtained the rank of E-5 in four years. Upon completing his enlisted obligations, Jeff accepted a position as a Senior Field Service Technician with United Technologies-Norden Service Company where he employed his naval training in the area of Combat Systems overhaul and testing. After three and a half years he switched programs where he supervised and administrated the installation of the ASDE-3 (Airport Surface Detection Equipment) Ground Surveillance Radar for the Federal Aviation Administration. In 1992 he resigned his position with United Technologies to complete his undergraduate degree.

In September of 1990 Jeff came to saving faith and placed his trust in Christ alone for salvation. In the fall of 1992 he returned to school at The Master's College and in 1996 he completed his undergraduate degree with a Bachelor of Arts in Bible with an emphasis in Bible Exposition. With a greater desire to fully exposit the Word of God, Jeff knew The Master's Seminary would greatly equip him to expound and communicate God's Word in whatever arena the LORD would place him. He graduated from The Master's Seminary, receiving his Master of Divinity degree in May 2001. During Seminary he was involved in teaching Bible studies. In September of 2001 he met Ralph Drollinger, president of Capitol Ministries and shortly thereafter made a commitment to serve as the ministry leader in South Carolina.

Jeff and his wife Gail have 3 children, Joshua, Nathanael and Rachel LeeAnn. The Lingerfelt's reside in northeast Columbia. Jeff loves studying the Bible, spending time in the outdoors with his boys, golfing, hunting and fishing.