Rocklin, Calif. – While bowling is not an official sport at William Jessup University, the Warrior Athletic Department found themselves knocking down bowling pins on Sunday afternoon at the AMF Rocklin Lanes to support Shoulder to Shoulder Ministries. 

Shoulder to Shoulder Ministries held their second annual Bowl-A-Thon benefitting the generationally fatherless young men growing up in Del Paso Heights, where over 70% of youth are fatherless and 50% will graduate from high school. The Warriors Athletic Department was one of twenty teams bowling to raise money and bring awareness to STS.  The Warriors team included Jeff Bussell (Men's Basketball Coach, SID), Jamie Ingram (Volleyball Coach), Lilly Nevarez (Softball Coach), Whitney Fraga (Athletics Assistant), Monica Zimmer-Vargas (Athletic Trainer), John McDonald (Basketball player) and Dustin Koons (Basketball player).  Marcus, an STS participant, rounded out the Warriors team.  The team helped raise funds through the selling raffle tickets for the event.  While the Warriors did not win, the opportunity to support the STS ministry and give back was a blessing for the team members.

"The opportunity to support STS was a blessing for the Warriors team," stated Jeff Bussell.  "STS is doing amazing things and making an impact in the lives of these young men.  Lives are being radically changed.  Getting the opportunity to spend time with Marcus and encourage him was a treat for all of us.  It helps bring perspective to the great things God is doing in our area and a reminder of the hope we have in Him."

To learn more about Shoulder to Shoulder or find ways to help support their mission, visit http://teamsts.org/ today. 

Shoulder to Shoulder

At Shoulder To Shoulder, we prepare urban fatherless young men for life. We help at-risk inner-city teen boys become balanced, mature men, breaking the cycle of fatherlessness one life at a time.

Based in Del Paso Heights, a neighborhood with some of the highest rates of poverty and crime in the Sacramento region, our staff and volunteers mentor and train fatherless young men from the 7th grade through high school graduation, primarily from our Freedom Hall facility located on the campus of Martin Luther King Jr. Technology Academy. We also deliver desperately needed support and skills-training to single mothers and families in crisis in the Del Paso Heights community.

This summer, four of William Jessup's women's soccer team members are taking missions trips all around the world. Read on to learn more about their passion, experiences and God's hand in their lives.

Dallas Butterfield (Romania)

While many students might be preparing to kick back at Folsom Lake and enjoy the lazy days of summer, Dallas Butterfield and Alexis Mabuni will head to Romania.

"I decided to go on the trip because I felt God was calling me to go out of my comfort zone," Dallas said. "It is our job as Christians to reach out and serve others as well as be a disciple for Christ. We are not called to stay in a bubble and be comfortable our whole life."

The English major will be working with the long term organization called Remember the Children while in Romania for close to a month. While there, she will be working in orphanages, coordinating Vacation Bible School activities, as well as helping the elderly. One aspect of the trip she is looking forward to is the opportunity to connect with kids, and learn about their culture.

"I am most looking forward to helping disabled children in the orphanages. Currently, I'm a nanny for a little girl with Cerebral Palsy and developmental delays, and I absolutely love her to death. I really enjoy working with her. This is why I'm so excited to get to work with the beautiful children of Romania!"

Alexis Mabuni (Romania)

Teammate Alexis Mabuni will join Dallas on the trip. As an Intercultural Studies major, Alexis has developed a love for third world countries. "One night I stayed up late and watched a movie (which was odd because I never do that!) It just so happened that the movie was about homeless orphans living in the subways in Romania. After that, I just couldn't get Romania out of my mind."

It wasn't long before a friend told her about Jessup's mission trip to Romania so she signed up right away.

"I just have such a strong passion to show kids the love of Jesus," she explained. Mabuni is no stranger to working with kids as she actively assists a friend who does outreach camps for kids in the North Highlands and Antelope areas.

Most recently, Alexis served on the Skid Row outreach leadership team during spring break.

Kasey Kellogg (Africa)

Kasey will head to Africa after having a desire to go on a mission trip for the past five years. "I have always had a heart for Africa. I'm not sure why – it's just something God put on my heart," the junior explained.

Kasey will join six other students and faculty from WJU for the three week trip to Kipkaren, Kenya scheduled to depart in May. She hopes to learn more about people who live in a world completely different that her own and be able to interact with them in a way that reflects the love of God. Kasey put it this way, "I want to be able to show love to them by spending time with them, talking with them, and playing with them (especially soccer!)"

While there, the Jessup mission team will be working alongside Empowering Lives International, an organization that works to empower the poor with knowledge, confidence, and measurable growth that impacts their spiritual and economic life so they become an example that others will be drawn to imitate and surpass. They will be working with a children's home and a training center that offers classes and seminars for residents of the area.

Amanda Lopez (Brazil)

Junior Amanda Lopez always knew she wanted to go on a mission trip but wasn't quite sure where she would go. "Brazil continued to pop into my head whenever I was in chapel or praying so I later realized that's where God wanted me to go," Amanda said.

"I felt like being a part of a mission trip was something I needed to do. Not only for my faith but to see how other people around the world praise God and to learn about the different ways that people serve Him."

Amanda hopes to experience God in a different way than she is used to which might require her to step out of her comfort zone. "I want to be challenged in my journey with God and if that means doing things that I would never usually do then so be it. I want to serve God and do things that He has called me to do."

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University head softball coach Marie Thomason announced her ninth signing of the 2014 recruiting season in high school senior Rebecca Aguallo.

Rocklin, Calif. – Senior Anthony "Tony" Villarreal joined the William Jessup University Track team dreaming of the opportunity to run at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championship.   After four  years of dedication, hard work and pain, Villarreal's dream came true as he qualified for the 2013 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championship Marathon race.  Coach Parker Daniells and Anthony will leave next week for 2013 National Championships, which will be held on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana May 23^rd-25^th.

Villarreal, a native of Fresno, qualified with a B standard time of 1:13:50.84 at the River City Half Marathon in Folsom on March 10^th.  The NAIA classifies the A standard time at 1:13:00.00, while the B standard time to qualify is between 1:13:00.00 and 1:15:00.00.  Villarreal will compete against Seventy-four runners from around the country at 6:00am eastern standard time on Saturday May 25^th.  He is the third Warriors track and field athlete in school history to earn a trip to nationals.

Tony is thankful for the opportunity to compete one last time in a Warrior's track uniform.

"This is a great opportunity and accomplishment thanks to two wonderful coaches whom instilled courage, direction and inspiration in my running career," stated Villarreal. "Teammates have supported and encouraged me throughout the season, which in turn has impacted how I train. I am blessed and thankful for this incredible opportunity to represent Jessup and Christ at the NAIA nationals in Indiana."

Coach Daniells:  "It has been great to watch Tony progress so naturally in his running career through college as well as his spiritual growth in his personal life. Tony has been very patient this year with preparing for the marathon which is the mentality you need to have to compete in this race. These past three weeks of training have really showed the work he has put in as well what we can expect at nationals."

The Warrior community stands behind Tony as he fulfills his dream.