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Jojo Wilkes Hired as Head Volleyball Coach

Jojo Wilkes Hired as Head Volleyball Coach

“What an honor and a gift it is to be at Calvary as the head volleyball coach.”

Dr. Alex Granados, president of Calvary University is pleased to announce Jojo Wilkes has been hired as the new Women’s Head Volleyball Coach at Calvary University. The former Faith Baptist Bible College volleyball standout has been named the tenth head coach in the history of the Calvary University volleyball program.  
 
Wilkes most recently served as the assistant coach for Spurgeon College from 2021-2023. She worked alongside head coach Evie Stanton to build and transform the Knights program into a NCCAA SW Region contender. 
 
“We are excited to welcome Jojo Wilkes as our new head coach for the Lady Warriors,” said Calvary University Athletic Director Jeanette Regier. “Coach Wilkes understands and is passionate about Calvary University’s mission of helping students live according to the Biblical worldview and serve both in the church and throughout the world. We believe she will carry on these Calvary values with great distinction and enhance the culture of our athletic program.” 
 
As an accomplished player for the legendary coach, Lanny Nihart, Jojo was a vital member of four impressive Faith Eagle teams from 2012-2015. She was named Second Team All American as an outside hitter in 2014, and then switched positions during her senior season to play Libero. She received the NCCAA North Region Libero of the year award during her final campaign and was named to the NCCAA North Regional First Team in 2013, 2014, and 2015.   
 
“It is an exciting time for Calvary University Volleyball as we bring on Jojo Wilkes as our head coach. Having played volleyball against Calvary teams for six seasons, she is no stranger to the Calvary ethos”, said CU Athletic Director, Jeanette Regier. “She brings a wealth of knowledge, a love for Christ, and a work ethic that will elevate our program.” 
 
Wilkes got into coaching starting in August of 2016 at Grand View Christian School in Des Moines, Iowa, while she was a teacher there. Two years later, she took a position teaching and coaching in the program at Fourth Baptist Christian School in Plymouth, Minnesota. She served in the volleyball program there for three years before moving to Kansas City and joining the Spurgeon College staff. 
 
“What an honor and a gift it is to be at Calvary as the head volleyball coach. The years I spent playing volleyball had a great impact on my life, and I hope to be able to give the teams I coach a similar experience,” noted Wilkes. “I’m ready to implement what I have learned over the years from my mentors and excited to bring in players and families to compete at Calvary.” 
 
Jojo married her husband Marcus seven years ago this coming August. They have two beautiful children, Addie (2) and Cohen (10 mo). They currently live in Overland Park, Kansas. 
 
“We are excited to introduce Jojo Wilkes as our new head women’s volleyball coach. During my conversations with her, I was impressed by her leadership skills, coaching philosophy, and level of commitment to the student-athletes. I have no doubt Jojo will be an excellent fit for our athletic department and our volleyball program will thrive under her direction,” said Matt Sanders, Calvary’s Associate Athletic Director. “We are excited to see how she will help Calvary Athletics in our mission to develop and graduate true crown chasers.” 
 
Welcome to Calvary Volleyball, Jojo! 

Jojo Wilkes and her husband, Marcus, live in Overland Park, KS, with their two children.

Jeremy Schell: His Years of Service at Calvary

Jeremy Schell: His Years of Service at Calvary

“I have loved being inspired by my students.”

“I met Jesus in 1991 in my parents’ living room,” Jeremy states, remembering his first authentic encounter with God. Although Jeremy had been attending church for years, his beliefs were centered on his parents’ instead of his own. But, on an August evening of that year, Jeremy surrendered his life to Jesus, inspiring him to glorify God with his gifts in music and leadership ever since. “It started with me just serving at my church in a simple way, like playing the piano during Sunday services; but this eventually expanded into me receiving leadership roles. I served as the director of our orchestra, children’s choir, choir, and led worship, and then became a staff member.” Jeremy was hired at what was then Kansas City Baptist Temple in 2004; when God opened the door to become full-time in 2006, Jeremy was hired as the worship director, and then moved into pastoral ministry.

“When I was approached about joining Calvary’s teaching staff, I was excited to instruct students in their paths to future careers in ministry and music.” When thinking about his favorite memories at Calvary, he states: “My favorite memory teaching culminated the year we performed John Rutter’s Requiem at St Paul’s Episcopal church. We delivered our concert to standing-room only and the audience felt alive as we performed beautiful melodies and lyrics of this gorgeous work. Beyond that, I have fond memories of multiple chorale tours and countless evenings spending time with my students, talking about life with them until the early hours of the morning.” He adds, “I have loved being inspired by my students. This has happened in two ways: the first being when a student goes on to bigger and greater things in their career; this makes me feel privileged to have played a part in their training. Second, when I have witnessed “light-bulb moments” in my classroom. I have so much enjoyed watching the very moment my students catch a concept! These have been some of the most rewarding moments in my years of teaching.”

In the near future, Jeremy looks forward to continuing pastoring and leading teams at Graceway Church while also having more quality time to spend with his family: “As our children get into advanced sports, I’ll get to see a lot of volleyball, baseball, and basketball games in my future, and I am looking forward to being there during those special moments!” Jeremy is grateful for the opportunity and honor he has had to teach at Calvary for the past nine years, serving students and sharing with them what God has taught him: “It has been a special honor to conduct the Calvary Chorale, lead Calvary’s praise band, and teach in classrooms and studios with men and women of God who are excited about what God is going to do with their lives, gifts, and talents.”

 

What is a healthy, biblical understanding of time?

What is a healthy, biblical understanding of time?

What is a healthy, biblical understanding of time?

Is time a blessing or a burden? Why has God placed us under a system marked by seasons and years? What does it mean to be good stewards of time?

Calvary University’s Shaun LePage led the Calvary Conversations team in a conversation about this important subject that impacts every human on the planet. The focus is on having a biblical worldview of time so that we can think rightly about it and use it well.

Visit the Calvary Conversations page to join the conversation, get on our email list and learn more.

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How can a good God allow innocent people to suffer?

How can a good God allow innocent people to suffer?

How can a good God allow innocent people to suffer?

It’s one of the most frequently asked questions: Why does God allow suffering? Why does He allow cancer, hurricanes, pandemics, heart-break, war, etc.? Why doesn’t He fix His world?

The Calvary Conversations team explores these questions and more through the lens of the biblical worldview. What does the Bible teach about suffering? Has God already done something about it? What about the future? Whether you are new to Christianity or going through some challenges, we invite you to join us for this important conversation.  

Visit the Calvary Conversations page to join the conversation, get on our email list and learn more.

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Why would anyone want to be an MK?

Why would anyone want to be an MK?

Why would anyone want to be an MK?

What is it like to grow up as a missionary kid (MK)? How does it shape the way kids see the world? How does it impact their faith?

James Gleaves has some stories to share. Calvary University’s Dr. Joshua Paxton invited Gleaves—a mobilizer with Ethnos 360, a former missionary, and a former MK—to have a conversation about his experience as an MK, and some of the lessons learned that can benefit every believer, including non-MKs. Join us for this fun, yet inspirational conversation.

Visit the Calvary Conversations page to join the conversation, get on our email list and learn more.

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How can US missionaries partner other national leaders?

How can US missionaries partner other national leaders?

How can US missionaries partner other national leaders? The benefits of partnering with indigenous leadership for global missions are enormous. But those benefits can be eclipsed by several and various problems.

Dr. Joshua Paxton invited Shawn Haynie, Director of Adelphos USA, to discuss some key questions about partnerships: What are the benefits and potential dangers of partnering with national missionaries? How can we partner with nationals in a way that does not create dependency or paternalism? Is there a process for helping the national missionary to become supported by the local national church?

Visit the Calvary Conversations page to join the conversation, get on our email list and learn more.

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