Jake was born and raised on a farm in Kansas, and, after finishing college, he joined the Air Force. He met Kathryn, who was born and raised in Los Angeles, while stationed in California. They were married in January 2005. They enjoyed 9 years in the Air Force, during which God granted them three wonderful children, Nathan and James (twins), and Abigail. God called Jake and Kathryn out of the Air Force to full-time ministry, but first Jake attended Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. It was there that his advisor introduced him to Village Missions, the organization that assists small rural churches in finding pastors, and it was immediately apparent that this was the ministry God wanted them in. After graduating in May 2015, they moved to French Gulch on July 1, 2015. In their short time there they have enjoyed building relationships with the community while serving alongside the wonderful people at French Gulch Community Church. Beginning in January 2020, the Leichliter family moved to Mayer, Arizona, to serve Mayer Community Church.