Servant Leadership in Action: Jayce Leeper’s Life-Saving Impact

Jayce Leeper, a 2023 DBU Alumnus, lives a life of ministry aimed at keeping Christ at the center. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, he committed himself to serving those around him and showing the love of Christ through his ministry calling. With an unlikely opportunity of donating stem cells, Jayce has learned that serving the Lord and others can be demonstrated in a multitude of ways. 

Growing up in southwest Arkansas in a family devoted to loving and serving the Lord, Jayce came to faith in Christ at a young age and was baptized soon after. In sixth grade, he sensed God’s call to ministry and shared that calling with his church leaders, who faithfully discipled and equipped him for a life of service. 

With this desire in his heart, Jayce began searching for a college that would equip him for pastoral ministry. His choice of schools was significantly narrowed down, but Jayce knew he wanted to attend a school that “cherished God’s Word and the church and was seeking to equip believers for a lifetime of ministry faithfulness.” Through his sister, who was attending DBU at the time, Jayce witnessed firsthand the Christ-centered community of DBU and was captivated by the University's mission to raise up servant leaders. This mission set DBU apart, and Jayce knew this was the place God was leading him to.  

After choosing to attend DBU, Jayce quickly found community through Stone House, a mentorship program and residence hall for freshman males. It was here that he developed lifelong friendships and reflected, “The mentorship and camaraderie were so helpful to me as I transitioned to life several hours away from home.” Along with this opportunity, Jayce worked for DBU Chancellor Dr. Gary Cook, forming a friendship and mentorship that deeply impacted his life. In this role, he saw the servant leadership he was learning about in class being modeled daily in Dr. Cook’s office.  

During his time at DBU, a team came and shared about the possibility of saving someone's life through donating stem cells, which encouraged Jayce to join the donor registry. With a quick swab, he was entered, but was doubtful that he would be able to match with anyone. “However,” Jayce shares, “when I received the phone call that I was a match and would have the opportunity to give cells to a patient with leukemia, I was overjoyed!”  

Describing the process of donating as a “rewarding experience,” Jayce recalls how the DKMS team was helpful in making the process as smooth as possible.  Despite challenges like a complex screening process and preparatory injections, he reflects on the experience as “a blessing.” He saw this opportunity as a way to love and serve God’s people, and is glad he was able to “impact the life of another person by donating stem cells.” 

Following his stem cell donation, Jayce’s eyes were opened to a broader understanding of servant leadership. He realizes many people around him are in need, even those whose needs are not visible to the human eye. Recognizing this, and having seen servant leadership being lived out during his time at DBU, he is committed to serving others faithfully, in whatever way the Lord calls him.”  

Today, he and his wife, Emily, are in their last year of studies at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. Here, Jayce is pursuing a Master of Applied Theology in Preaching and a Master of Divinity while serving as an academic advisor, where he enjoys getting to serve students as they prepare for their own ministry callings.  

Alongside his academic pursuits, Jayce serves as a pastoral intern at Cross Fellowship Church, where he and Emily are members. He believes that through these roles, the Lord is preparing him and cultivating within him “a love for His people so that I might serve in a way that reflects His love and care for us.” Through both academics and ministry, Jayce desires to be better equipped to serve the local church, which is a passion that first took root during his time at DBU.  

Looking back on his undergraduate years, he recognizes how DBU’s mission shaped his understanding that life is meant to be lived for the glory of God, while serving others and pointing them to Christ, whether that be through words or actions. This perspective influenced his decision to become a stem cell donor, giving him the opportunity to express the self-sacrificing love of Christ to someone suffering from leukemia. 

In encouraging other students to serve the people around them, Jayce points to how God calls each of us to different places to serve, and in those callings, we are to remain Christ-focused. For those who may be called to become a stem donor, he believes that the process is well worth it, and creates a unique opportunity to share the gospel and demonstrate the love of God in a different way.