Our Why: Dennis and Christina Treadaway

Everyone Needs a Little Jesus

When you meet Jessup donors Dennis and Christina Treadaway, there is no doubt they are on fire for the Lord. With a marriage anchored in Christ, the enthusiastic couple are in prayer regularly, often praying for those they meet during everyday encounters. They are also faithful and generous givers who seek to advance the Kingdom wherever and whenever possible. “We pray that we are faithful stewards of what God has given us,” Christina said.

Rooted in Scripture, the Treadaways have adopted Malachi 3:10 as a guiding principle for their lives. “The core idea is that God’s generosity is boundless and when you give, God will provide for you abundantly, often more than you can imagine,” Dennis said. “You can’t outgive God and we love that challenge. We’ve learned to trust and give because everything we have belongs to Him.”

Last year, the couple sold their business, FPI Management, Inc., a professional management services company for multi-family housing owners since 1968. The company is a proud supporter of many philanthropic organizations and provides a comprehensive range of services, from managing existing properties to overseeing new construction. Recently retired, the couple is pouring in to what matters most — advancing God’s Kingdom here on earth. 

First learning about Jessup five years ago when Jessup Chancellor, John Jackson, spoke at their home church, the Treadaways were immediately taken by his palpable passion for the love of Jesus Christ and for the mission of Jessup University. “Shortly after meeting John, I wrote an email asking to connect with him for lunch,” Dennis said. “Who wouldn’t want to embrace a talented and kinetic preacher like Dr. Jackson?”

Christina put it this way, “Once Dennis met with Dr. Jackson, we started seeing Jessup connections and touch points everywhere we went. We had friends, former employees and just kept meeting people who were either alumni or knew someone attending Jessup. As we continued to hear good things about how these people are shining a light in our communities, we knew we wanted to be part of that. We think Jessup is an amazing place to get educated and educate others about Jesus.”

The Treadaways are playing a major part in the Why Jessup? Campaign as they are matching any gift given to the campaign, (no matter how often or how much) with $100. For any President’s Circle gift, the couple is matching $1,000. “We are all for any effort that spreads the salt, life and love of Jesus,” Christina said.

One piece of advice the couple has for graduates entering the marketplace today is this. “Don’t hesitate to be bold,” Dennis said. “I would rather be bold and not heard, than not be bold and miss an opportunity. Also, it’s important to live up to your commitment — do what you say you are going to do and work hard.” Christina recommends showing others mercy, grace, kindness, forgiveness and to give others the benefit of the doubt. “We live in an angry and negative world as it is already,” she said. “It’s so important to keep your head about you, and don’t get so entrenched in things that don’t really matter.”

Carrying a message of hope and purpose rooted in their spiritual convictions, the Treadaways see every encounter as an opportunity to reflect their faith and inspire others to live with grace, gratitude and compassion. “We carry these mini Jesus dolls with us wherever we go,” Dennis said. “We hand them out to people we meet along the way and see it as a way to share our faith. Basically everywhere we go is sacred ground and there’s always a way to share your faith in some way.”

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