WJU Donation Supports Church Planting Organization

Rocklin, Calif. – William Jessup University recently presented Stadia, one of the largest church planting organizations in the world, a check for $40,000.

The growing university welcomed Stadia’s President, Greg Nettle, who addressed the WJU student body during the memorable chapel service.

“I’m thankful for our partnership in church planting because throughout the United States and around the world, the fact remains the same that new church planting is the single most effective way for reaching people who are far away from Jesus,” Nettle said.

Demonstrating Jessup’s mission to partner with the church, President John Jackson and Director of Church Relations, Jim Jessup proudly presented Nettle the check. The gift represents a portion of the funds received by WJU resulting from the closure of a former partner church in Lake Tahoe.

In 2014,Tahoe Christian Center in Tahoe City, Calif. made an administrative decision to close its doors on the lakefront property that housed the declining congregation. Upon its closure, the church’s elder board and remaining members later determined to allocate funds from the sale of the property to William Jessup University, due to a longstanding relationship.

The university will utilize those funds to provide a scholarship endowment, creating a lasting legacy while benefiting generations of students all for God’s glory.

Established in 1939 as San Jose Bible College and later San Jose Christian College, William Jessup University changed its name in 2003 and moved the campus to a 125-acre facility in Rocklin, Calif. in 2004.

Tahoe Christian Center was founded by San Jose Christian College alum Paul Cecil the same year he graduated in 1969. Three other alums, including Wayne Thomas (’51), Paul Clark (’67) and Tom Salter (’69), later pastored the lakeside center throughout the years.

“When Tahoe Christian Center made the tough decision to close its doors due to a dwindling membership and lack of pastoral leadership, they made an incredibly generous decision to pour into the lives of young leaders by giving to WJU,” Jim Jessup said. “Transformational leaders are being made here at WJU and this new endowed scholarship will make a huge difference in the lives of young leaders who will impact the Church, even some churches yet to be birthed.”