Alumni Updates

Jessup alumni continue to shine the light of Christ in ministry, education, psychology and throughout the marketplace. 

Alyssa Soto (‘21)  is teaching second grade at Heights Christian School in Chino, CA. She enjoys mentoring youth by sharing the wisdom of Scripture both in the classroom and at her church. She’s had the privilege of traveling overseas on a mission trip with her church to Tanzania where she partnered with an organization that has partnered with Jessup’s mission trips.

Steve and Deb Wallace (‘82) (‘83) spent two years as missionaries in Santiago, Chile. Upon returning, they became bilingual teachers in Napa and now reside in Shasta County. In 2017, they founded Tree of Life International Charter School, a TK-8th Grade Spanish/English Dual Immersion School.
https://treeoflife.school/TLC-TV/index.html

Tom Salter (‘69) recently visited India to train 1200 pastors at 12 different seminars throughout the country. In Africa and India, his organization has a network of 30 Bible Institutes, helping impoverished and under-educated pastors and Christian leaders obtain an education. He has now trained over 35,000 pastors in these regions.

Steve Allen (‘05) and his wife Lisa celebrated 50 years of marriage. The couple have three sons and seven grandchildren. They are retired and serving their church and community in Southern Oregon.

Michaela Hyde (‘21) was promoted to church administrator early this year and became engaged last December.

Stephania Herrera Vazquez (‘16), (‘24) earned her undergraduate degree in psychology and her graduate degree in counseling psychology. Vazquez and her husband have a two-year-old son. She is currently completing her therapeutic hours for licensure as a licensed marriage and family therapist at La Familia Counseling Center and the couple continue to pastor youth at their church, New Season, in Sacramento, CA.

Jacqueline Turner (‘15) is a full-time minister of church relations with Acres of Hope, a residential faith-based campus, housing homeless mothers and children for up to two years. Also the founder of Kingdom Roar Ministries, going into the darkest populations of Northern California to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and create discipleship programs. She also enjoys boxing fitness.

Miriam V. Owens (‘05) and her husband Nick will celebrate 19 years of marriage on July 8. The couple are members Jessup’s first graduating class since the University moved to Rocklin in 2004. Miriam teaches part-time at the Eureka School District while Nick manages his ongoing real estate career. The couple have two children, Joshua and Jael. The Owens family continues to find profound solace and inspiration at Jessup’s Prayer Chapel, where they remain blessed to have renewed their vows with former Jessup President, Dr. Bryce Jessup.

In Memoriam

Jayant Lal

Jayant Lal went to be with the Lord November 1, 2024. Jay was active in ministry as director of the Christian Training Institute which was part of the Church of Christ Mission in India (COCMI). He served the ministry for seven years until he opened a boy’s hostel in Banabel from 2004 to 2009 to raise up young men to live in a safe home, receive an education, and to know Christ. He also ministered to as many of the graduates of the Christian Training Institute as he could. 

Jay had been ministering to about 200 churches under Partners Serve India. He is survived by his wife Alpana, daughter Janice “Winnie” and son Jorryn.