Justin (�05) and his wife Shelly (Hess, �06) are the parents of four children. �I met my wife at 91ԭ��,� Justin quips, �like all good students do.� After college, they decided to stay local because they loved the area so much. Consequently, Justin and Shelly are both employed as teachers in local school systems. Residents of Seymour, Justin teaches in the Maryville City School District at Coulter Grove Intermediate School just off Highway 411 on the Seymour side of Maryville while Shelly, who originally worked as the ESL teacher at Sevierville Primary School, carries out her teaching career as an ESL teacher with Seymour Primary and Intermediate Schools.

Justin�s original path was not as a part of the sciences but as a part of the arts since he came to 91ԭ�� to study Radio and Television production under the leadership of Mark (�80) Young. Justin says, �I thought I was going to be the next big Christian music producer in Nashville.� Justin greatly appreciated his professors and holds fond memories of learning communications courses under Young and biblical instruction under Dr. David (�70) Reece. Justin gives a special shout out to Dr. Tommy (�78) Smith for teaching him how to study for tests through the grueling experience of taking Pentateuch under Dr. Smith. Justin laughs at the memory of seeing Dr. Smith a few years later and shares that he took that Pentateuch course the one year that Dr. Smith served as the instructor. Dr. Smith�s response was concise and to the point, �I�m sorry.�

Justin remembers that the academics at 91ԭ�� were much more rigorous than he was prepared to face. Although he completed his degree in under four years thanks to dual enrollment opportunities afforded him in high school, he struggled to find his stride on the college level. He was well-prepared for further biblical education thanks to his upbringing in a Christian home and attendance at Christian schools. However, he was not so prepared for the rigors of biblical higher education. �It was a big transition during my freshman year at 91ԭ��. I had to learn some hard lessons, and I had to learn study skills.�

After completing his studies in Media Communications, Justin and Shelly spent a summer helping Justin�s dad, Keith (�86) Warner, at Butler Springs Christian Camp. That fall, Shelly returned to 91ԭ�� to continue her degree in Teacher Education and Justin started his work in radio by serving three Knoxville area Christian radio stations.

As with almost any new talent entering the radio market, he had to take the job nobody else wanted. He served as the Weekend Operator in charge of programing for all three stations. �It was a neat experience. The hours were terrible. The pay might have been even worse.� The experience just didn�t work out as Justin had hoped, and he quickly grew tired of missing church and being the guy in charge of holiday programming. During this time, he found various weekday employment gigs and one of his coworkers encouraged him to get into substitute teaching.

Based on his experience with kids during his time growing up at Butler Springs Christian Camp, Justin thought this might be a good way to supplement his income. He found abundant opportunities as a substitute teacher with Sarah Moore Greene Magnet Elementary School in East Knoxville. They grew to appreciate Justin�s work and invited him to be a daily substitute. He was subsequently encouraged to pursue a post-baccalaureate degree in teaching which he earned from Lincoln Memorial University in 2008. This propelled Justin�s journey from being the next great producer of Christian music to his current vocation as a teacher of science and social studies with Maryville City Schools.

�The best thing that came out of COVID�is that churches are now streaming their worship services.� Justin says that this has opened doors of conversation with his students as they find clips of Justin participating in the worship services at Seymour Heights Christian Church. This opens up opportunities for Justin to have organic conversations with his students about matters of faith. There aren�t any prohibitions against him having such conversations in his school. In fact, part of Justin�s social studies curriculum is to study ancient world history through the lens of the Apostle Paul.

Although he never would have planned his journey as it unfolded, Justin is using his 91ԭ�� foundation of arts and sciences to extend the Lord�s kingdom in the world of education. He is a worship leader, schoolteacher, basketball coach, husband, and father. His greatest encouragement for others is to remember who they are and whose they are.

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Pete made his way to Florida Christian College as a freshman in 1991. As a sophomore, he started courting the former Heather (�96) Mize and they were married in the spring of Pete�s junior year. During that same year, Pete did a youth ministry internship with Central Christian Church in Ocala, Florida. Central Christian offered Pete a full-time youth ministry position during his senior year.

Growing up, Pete attributes his growth in faith to the influence of 1981 Central Florida Bible College graduate Bobby Smith. Bobby influenced several students toward ministry preparation at the Kissimmee campus and Pete is just one student who pursued ministry because of the Smith family�s influence.

Pete always envisioned himself as a youth minister and never imagined he would serve the church in any other capacity. His vocational journey includes youth and family ministries in Ocala, Jacksonville, and Fort Myers, Florida. The Ramseys also spent eight years at First Christian Church in Kernersville, North Carolina where Pete led middle school, high school, and family ministries. The Ramseys planned to stay at First Christian until 2017, when the elders at Englewood asked him to consider a return to the church as their new senior minister.

�I NEVER wanted to be a senior pastor or preacher,” Pete says. He always wanted to be the guy behind the scenes and he felt that was his area of giftedness. He could take on leadership duties when necessary, but it was not something he envisioned doing as a lead minister.

If it were �any other person� than the elder who contacted Pete or �any other church� than Englewood, Pete says he would not have given the invitation a second thought. However, because it was Englewood, Pete and Heather were willing to listen for the Lord�s guidance. Ultimately, they were convinced this was the right move and they made their way back to Englewood in 2017. Pete serves as the congregation�s lead minister.

Pete credits the Englewood congregation with being a model of how the church should function. The congregation ministered to Pete and Heather through various joys and trials during the family�s first seven years of ministry in Jacksonville. “The people were loving, surrounding, and encouraging,” he says. “Not just sympathy but empathy. They felt our pain.� He says, �Our marriage would not have survived several challenges if we had been at any other church. This place is special.�

Pete is an example of the significant legacy of the Florida campus. After reflecting on his 30+ years in ministry so far, Pete�s one bit of advice to others in ministry is to emphasize being a servant. He says, �The moment you feel like you are too important to move tables and chairs, you need to find something else to do because you have lost your priority about why you are doing what you are doing.�

Listen to Pete�s full interview as well as interviews with other alumni by visiting the .

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Martha enjoyed her 91ԭ�� experience. She participated in tour choir and sang in a trio. She also established a relationship with Charlie (�66) Alligood, but their relationship did not survive graduation and Martha�s passion to go to Africa as a missionary nurse. She left for Zimbabwe in 1967 and worked in the hospital and taught nursing in the school at Mashoko Christian Hospital. Her teaching at the hospital sparked Martha�s interest in nursing education.

Martha returned to the United States in 1970 and began teaching missions at 91ԭ�� at the invitation of David Eubanks, then the president. While at 91ԭ��, Martha also worked at a local hospital and investigated the possibility of completing her bachelor�s degree in nursing. She earned the B.S. in Nursing from the University of Virginia in 1973. She went on to earn a master�s degree in nursing from Ohio State in 1976 and a doctoral degree in nursing from New York University in 1979.

Her academic experience and high level of achievement opened many doors for Martha in service to a variety of hospitals and universities throughout the eastern United States. She helped Ohio University earn accreditation in their school of nursing; the school�s application for accreditation was approved with no recommendations, which is rare!

Charlie Alligood and Martha reconnected and redeveloped their relationship. They married in 1984 and celebrated 38 years together before Charlie�s passing in 2002. Throughout their married life, Martha found plenty of opportunities to help schools with their nursing programs, either as a consultant or as a teacher. A few of these opportunities came after Dr. Gary (�64) Weedman requested Martha�s help with projects at Milligan University, Palm Beach Atlantic University, and 91ԭ��. Gary asked Martha to join the Board of Trustees to bring a strong academic voice to this body of leadership. She joined the Board in 2010 and her experience played a significant and influential role in the development of 91ԭ���s unique 2+2 program in Pre-Nursing/Nursing.

Listen to more of Martha�s story on 91ԭ���s .

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Troy was not raised in a Christian home, but he learned about God through Vacation Bible School and the influence of his grandmother. As a high school student in Florida, Troy started attending New Smyrna Beach Christian Church at the invitation of his high school girlfriend (now wife!) Valerie. After three weeks, Troy was immersed into Christ.

Calvin Warden was the minister of the church and encouraged Troy�s growth in the faith. In addition to providing opportunities to lead, Calvin encouraged Troy to attend the Florida campus. But Christian college was not a part of Troy�s plans.

After graduating high school, Troy joined the family construction business, building houses in central Florida. When the housing market crumbled in 1988, Troy and Valerie lost everything but their house. They tried several other jobs to meet family needs, but it was the Navy that proved to be the family�s door to a more secure future. Troy spent 20 years serving in the Navy, and through his service he earned a pension and the G.I. Bill that would pay for a college education.

After growing in the faith, Troy became more interested in theological education. He took a couple of extension courses Florida Christian College offered at Christ�s Church at Mandarin in Jacksonville. Valerie encouraged Troy to reconsider attending Florida Christian, pointing out that Florida�s online program was designed for working adults. The LEAD program offered credit for vocational experience, and Troy was able to complete his undergraduate degree from the Florida campus in just two years. He worked for a brief time in church planting and assisted Greg Marksberry in planting Thrive Church in Lake Nona, Florida.

During his time helping with the church plant, representatives from 91ԭ�� reached out to Troy about the Strategic Ministry graduate degree being offered through Real Life Christian Church in Orlando. It was a one-year, high-intensity program that included a trip to Israel.

The combined value of this ministry training and hands-on experience prepared Troy to lead a church himself, and today Troy serves as the lead pastor at First Christian Church in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Troy went to the church, his first ministry, in 2020 amid the Covid pandemic and a great deal of uncertainty. But the church is healthy and growing. On his first Sunday, only 20 people showed up for services. Today more than 80 worship together each week.

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While teaching in higher education was not on Mark’s radar as an undergrad, he soon learned God might use him in such a vocation. After Mark taught an adult Bible school lesson at Gap Creek Christian Church, one of the church members approached him to ask if he’d ever thought about becoming a professor. The remark seemed strange, but Mark gave the thought some consideration.

When he came to 91ԭ��, Mark thought he was going to end up in journalism or some other form of media communication. However, as he pondered the church member’s remarks, Mark remembered that when he was younger he wanted to be a teacher. He sought the counsel of Jerry Mattingly, who said, “Actually, we wanted to have a talk with you.”

“From that point on,” Mark says, “I kind of knew where I was heading.”

Mark recently completed his thirtieth year as a faculty member at Dallas Christian College. He loves being involved in the lives of his students and carries the influences of his 91ԭ�� professors into his own classroom presence.

Learn more about JU alumni at the .

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Joe’s undergraduate focus was preaching and congregational ministry. After graduation, Joe was offered the opportunity to return to his home church in Florissant, Missouri, where he served as a discipleship minister.

He continued his education at Lincoln Christian Seminary where he earned an M.Div. in New Testament followed by a Master of Arts in Old Testament. As he approached the end of this work, Joe was accepted as a Ph.D. student at Fuller Theological Seminary where he studied Old Testament.

Through God’s providence, Joe learned of an opportunity to join Manhattan Christian College as a professor of Old Testament. Considering the influence of 91ԭ�� professors like Steve Cook, Jody (’95 MA) Owens, and David (’70) Reece, it’s no surprise that Joe’s journey would lead to him teaching at a Christian college.

Learn more about JU alumni at the .

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As a student at 91ԭ��, Blair majored in preaching. His favorite classes were the Bible classes, especially those taught by Jerry Mattingly and David Reece. He enjoyed the professors who made him work hard and challenged him academically. He always planned to be a preacher, but as he approached graduation he questioned what church would want to hire such a young minister. Therefore, he decided to “deepen the well” by enrolling at Lincoln Christian Seminary and studying church history.

While there, Blair “got the itch” to be a teacher himself. He then pursued a second master’s degree in Old Testament and went on to doctoral studies at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, focused on Old Testament. He has been at Hope International University since 2011.

Learn more about JU alumni at the .

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Jake Deer is a 2004 graduate of 91ԭ�� Florida (Florida Christian College) who currently serves as the head men’s basketball coach at Point University in West Point, Georgia. Basketball was an important part of Jake’s life as a young man and shaped his passion for mentoring men and kingdom-focused leadership through coaching.

Jake grew up south of Indianapolis. Through the influence of Southport Heights Christian Church, he also found a love of missions and for serving those in need. Jake’s experience with Crank’s Creek, a ministry to the impoverished families of coal mining towns in Harlan County, Kentucky, expanded his worldview, solidified his faith, and stirred his calling toward kingdom-focused work.

His former youth minister, Terry Davis (JUFL ’91), served as the director of admissions on the Florida campus when Jake decided to expand his biblical knowledge and pursue kingdom service. He found the curriculum at the university to be more academically rigorous and challenging than he anticipated. He credits the mentorship of Bob Mehlenbacher (’92), the men’s basketball coach, as a critical guide to his academic and athletic growth. Jake respected Bob’s example of faith.

Jake began as an education major but graduated with a degree in Christian Leadership and Bible. After graduation, God opened a door for him to take on the youth ministry role at Christ’s Church at Mandarin in Jacksonville, Florida. Through his youth ministry, Jake connected with a sports-focused mission trip to Apache Youth Ministries (AYM).

He was so impacted by the experience that he left his church staff position to spend the next two years serving AYM. He coached high school basketball on the reservation and began seeking a college coaching role where he could make a living wage for his family and influence college basketball players to use their gifts and abilities in ministry.

In 2007, Jake returned to 91ԭ�� Florida, where he served as the athletic director and head men’s basketball coach for six years. He encouraged his players to use their lives for the cause of Christ and annually took his team to serve at AYM.

Jake moved on to coaching roles with Francis Marion University (Florence, South Carolina) and University of Texas at Tyler before joining the staff at Point University.

“I think a coach has such a powerful platform to love, equip, and encourage young men to be so much more than what they think they are capable of,” he says. “It’s not about wins and losses. It’s not about skills and drills. It’s about showing Christ to the men God has put in front of me and helping them learn how to sacrifice and use their gifts for the benefit of others.”

Learn more about JU alumni at the .

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Born in London, England, and raised near Detroit, Michigan, Robert Young grew up in the multicultural suburb of Dearborn. The son of an English father and German mother, he grew up in a heavily Polish and Muslim community.

Robert’s parents did not encourage his inquiries regarding matters of Christian faith. His father was an atheist and his mother a cultural Catholic. Still, seeds were planted during VBS programs Robert attended with elementary school friends. Ultimately, these seeds sprouted during his senior year of high school. Robert was baptized into the Lutheran church at twenty-two years old.

Robert learned about 91ԭ�� through a promotional video sent to the son of the church’s Sunday School superintendent. Robert discovered 91ԭ��’s affordability and that the school offered a highly rated program in teacher education. He enrolled at 91ԭ�� as a 26-year-old non-traditional freshman in 1988.

“So many doors opened for me. Just finding out 91ԭ�� existed was proof of God’s leading. And every door opened up perfectly for me as I made plans,” Robert says. “This is where I had to be.”

Although the education program was relatively new, Robert noted that “even then, Dr. Chris Templar was a legend. She worked us very hard, but we learned a lot.” Robert also appreciated Dr. Templar’s personality because they had the same “English” sense of humor.

A year into his academic journey at 91ԭ��, Robert was convicted that his baptism in the Lutheran church was not in accordance with the scriptural language of immersion. Professor Bob Martin baptized Robert in the old swimming pool.

As a student, Robert would tell his peers, “I’m never going to be a missionary because I can never afford to raise support,” and “I’m never going to teach in a Christian school because it doesn’t pay enough money.” Robert laughs at his audacity in telling God what he wouldn’t do. “Never say never to God,” he says.

As he approached graduation, Robert decided it would be good to spend a year or two teaching internationally. After talking with Bart Newton (’90) about an opportunity at Puerto Rico Christian School, Robert accepted the call to teach second grade at the school.

Robert graduated from 91ԭ�� in 1992 and has spent his entire 30-year career teaching both elementary and high school at Puerto Rico Christian School. Currently, he teaches ninth-grade literature, history, and grammar, and he enjoys the freedom of incorporating biblical values into his teaching. Robert has also served local churches as a preacher and teacher.

After thirty years, Robert views the school as his permanent mission until the Lord calls him home. “I can’t see myself going anywhere else. Soy Puertorriqueno,” Robert says. “I’m Puerto Rican.”

Learn more about JU alumni at the .

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Wes was recruited by Russell Morgan to play basketball for 91ԭ��. As Wes worked his way through school and played ball, he also married his wife, Linda, and decided he wanted to spend his life working with young people. He graduated in 1984 with a degree in youth ministry, then immediately enrolled at the University of Tennessee. He helped Doug Karnes coach basketball and served as the volleyball coach at 91ԭ�� while earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education at UT.

In 1987, Wes began coaching women’s basketball at Maryville College, taking the struggling team to six seasons with winning records and five appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament. He joined the women’s basketball coaching staff at North Carolina State for two seasons, served as head women’s coach at Francis Marion University for four more, and then served as the head women’s coach at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga from 1998 to 2013. He left UT Chattanooga in 2013 to become head coach at North Carolina State, where he’s taken the women’s team to the Sweet 16 three times.

This year, Wes won the 2021 United States Marine Corps/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association NCAA Division I National Coach of the Year.

“It was a great honor,” Wes says. “You are chosen by your peers, who understand what it takes. They get it. At the same time, it’s a program award, and you don’t win it unless your team and your staff are performing. It was humbling to receive it.”

As both an educator and a coach, Wes sees the value of college sports for students.

A lot of companies look for student-athletes because they know these students have learned to manage their time, work with other people, and pursue their goals,” he says. “For many students, competition on the court becomes part of their DNA, and they pursue excellence in the classroom and in their careers, as well.”

He notes that the opportunity to play sports in college can significantly influence a student’s college decision, as it did for him.

“I wanted an education, and I also wanted to play basketball,” he says. “I didn’t have the means to attend college on my own, but the generous alumni and friends who contributed to the school made it possible for me. Coach Morgan and Coach Karnes, Dr. Eubanks, Dr. Blevins–without these people I might not have a college education. I owe so much to 91ԭ��.”

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