In 1965, Norman Rohrer established the Christian Writers Guild (CWG). Rohrer offered a 48-part correspondence course intended to teach the craft of writing, as well as history and theology Rohrer believed were necessary to improve the quality of fiction and non-fiction writing intended for the Christian market. In 2001, Jenkins purchased the CWG, and Rohrer remained on staff as “Dean of the Guild”. CWG transitioned from mail-based delivery, to an online platform. Jenkins recruited many of his friends and fellow writers to function as mentors to CWG members, and to expand the guild’s offerings. In 2013, Jenkins developed the Christian Writers Guild Press intended to publish original works by CWG members. Jenkins’s was criticized for creating a “vanity press”, despite lambasting such publishing schemes in the past.

Jenkins and his wife Diana (née Whiteford), whom he married in 1971, reside in Black Forest, Colorado. He is the father of Dallas Jenkins, creator of The Chosen web television series; Chad Jenkins, the Sports Information Director at MidAmerica Nazarene University; and Michael Bruce Jenkins.

The Tara Chadwick Series was published by Moody in 1984. Reprinted in 1992, including new cover art and formatting.

The Bradford Family Adventures series was originally published by Stanford Publishing, in 1984. Reprinted by Moody in 1990.

The Dallas O’Neil and the Baker Street Sports Club series was published by Moody in 1986.

The Dallas O’Neil and The Baker Street Sports Club (1986) series, and its follow up, the Dallas O’Neil Mysteries (1988–89), prompted Gil Thorp creator Jack Berrill to open discussions with Jenkins on creating a line of young adult books Gil Thorp and the athletes at the fictional Milford High School. The Gil Thorp series was never realized, but following Berril’s death in 1996, Jenkins was recruited by Tribune to continue to comic strip as its writer, with Rod Whigham as artist. During his tenure as writer, Jenkins introduced a number of controversial storylines, including a young shomer Shabbat joining the Milford football team, and a teen pregnancy story criticized as anti-abortion.

The Global Air Troubleshooters series was published by Multnomah Books in 1996. Reprinted as AirQuest Adventures by Zondervan in 2006.

Jenkins was born September 23, 1949 to Harry Philip Jenkins and Bonnie Grace Thompson of Kalamazoo, Michigan. In a 2008 interview with The Modesto Bee, Jenkins said his religious education began after he was inspired by a Warner Sallman painting, guided by his mother. After graduating from Forest View High School, Jenkins attended Moody Bible Institute from 1967 to 1968, and Harper College from 1968 to 1970.

From 2011 to 2017, Jenkins co-edited the Christian Writers Institute’s Christian Market Writer’s Guide.

Since 2016, Jenkins has taught an online writing course via his own platform, Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild.

In 2018, Left Behind series was ranked No. 77 in The Great American Read poll sponsored by PBS.

The Red Rock Mysteries series was co-written by Chris Fabry. Published by Tyndale House. The series was reprinted in 2020, including new cover art and formatting.