By Hope Edwards
Class of 2026
Jake Wattenphul grew up near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where his father served as an assistant pastor at Murrysville Alliance Church. When he began seeking colleges, Jake focused on schools in The Christian & Missionary Alliance (C&MA) and ultimately chose Crown College through prayerful guidance and scholarship support. He initially planned to study youth and social ministry because he was drawn to mentoring younger generations – and that value has continued to shape his life. While he had not yet explored media, communications, or video production, Jake’s time at Crown sparked these interests, which would later define his professional work.
During his first year at Crown, Jake participated in the Reely Film Fest organized by William Allen (now called the Allen Film Fest), an event where students create films. Despite not having prior film production experience, Jake and his friends completed a project that received several awards. He enjoyed the creative experience and realized he had skills in film and media he had never explored before. After talking with communications professors and learning more about the program, he decided to change his major to communications with a focus on creative media. In the program, Jake developed skills in video production, visual communication, and graphic design, and it introduced him to concepts that were foundational to his future profession in digital media.
Outside the classroom, Jake participated extensively in campus activities. His fondest memories include participating in music and theater, working on projects in media labs, and strengthening friendships over games of pool or disc golf. He performed in Crown’s primary choir, the chamber choir, the men’s Stand Your Ground quartet, and the musical drama group, Encore. He was also part of multiple theater productions at Crown, including The Mikado, The Secret Garden, and Fiddler on the Roof. Jake also completed internships while at Crown, including youth ministry with Evangelical Free Church in Delano, video production with Timber Bay youth outreach, and videography with United Video in Minnetonka. The projects that came with these internships provided Jake with practical experience and the opportunity to make an impact in those ministries.
Jake’s spiritual formation was deeply affected by Crown faculty members Dr. Glenn Myers, William Allen, and Gary Wozniak. He took Spiritual Leadership and Development with Dr. Meyers, learning what it means to live out his Christian faith. William Allen worked closely with Jake as his mentor, impacting how he interacts with visual communication and media. Professor Wozniak, who led the youth ministry program at Crown, exemplified joy for Jake, reminding him that the Christian walk is about abundant life and joy in Christ. Professor Wozniak also did premarital counseling with Jake and his wife, Twila (2010).
Twila began her studies at Crown in the same year Jake did. During his undergraduate years, the two married. Jake graduated with his communications degree in 2009, and Twila completed her degree in elementary education in 2010. She later began working at World Learner School in Chaska, a Montessori-style program where all four of their children have studied. After his undergraduate experience, Jake continued at Crown to complete a master’s degree in ministry leadership in 2011. As a graduate assistant, he divided his time between the marketing department and the communication department, contributing to promotional materials and practical coursework. He also led practicum projects with undergraduate communication students, helping connect academic work with real-world applications.
After completing his graduate degree, Jake entered the field of digital media. Today, he works in marketing at KEB America, an engineering and manufacturing company, where he focuses on video production, graphic design, web content, and digital communication. His role combines technical skills with creative direction, bringing together the primary areas he studied and practiced at Crown.
His long-standing interest in mentoring youth continues through Trail Life USA, a Christian-based outdoor scouting organization. Jake serves as the troop master for a Chaska troop that has grown steadily under his leadership, and he also supports additional troops across the Twin Cities metro area. Outdoor adventure remains a meaningful part of his life, whether hiking, canoeing, and camping with his family or on solo adventures to the Colorado mountains and the Boundary Waters.
Jake is an active member of The River, a C&MA church in Chaska, where he regularly attends and leads worship. His involvement in community, outdoor education, and digital media demonstrates a pathway shaped by the skills and experiences he developed at Crown. Family continues to be central to his life, as he and Twila are raising four children, one of whom was adopted through foster care. The family remains connected to the community, local education, and outdoor pursuits.
Today, Jake’s work reflects themes that began in college: digital storytelling, youth mentorship, and community values. His creative media courses helped develop his professional skills, while his involvement in youth ministry laid foundations for ongoing work with Trail Life. His Crown experience continues to guide his direction in the church, at work, and in local ministry. From an early interest in youth ministry to a career in digital communication, Jake’s story shows a steady connection between the opportunities he encountered at Crown and the path he continues to follow today.
