Myrlene Hamilton Hess grew up in South Dakota and has a degree in Secondary Education from Northern State University in Aberdeen, and an MDiv and DMin from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California. She is pastor of Morning Star Presbyterian Church in Bayville, NJ which she co-founded with her late husband, the Rev. Dr. Edward S. Hamilton.

Myrlene's passion is helping people find their special gifts for ministry and putting them to work in places that are fulfilling and that help the church grow. When time permits, she enjoys leading retreats and speaking at seminars. When she is not teaching or preaching or leading groups at Morning Star, she 9penjoys writing, spending time outdoors with her husband church Elder Eric W. Hess, and playing with their labrador retriever, Amazing Grace.