Built on Christ
Colton and Jessica “Cleveland” Gehman
At LeTourneau University, some of life’s most meaningful foundations are built not only in classrooms, but in relationships rooted in Christ. For alumni Jessica and Colton, their time on campus shaped both their faith and the life they now share together as husband and wife, parents, and followers of Christ learning to trust Him through both joy and sorrow.
For Jessica, LeTourneau felt like home long before she officially enrolled. Growing up close to campus, she completed dual-credit courses during high school and appreciated the opportunity to stay near family while receiving a strong Christian education. Colton arrived at LeTourneau searching for something more specific: a Christian university where he could pursue mission aviation and play men’s soccer. Though their paths to Longview were different, God was preparing them for a shared journey.
That journey began in an unexpected place — a Foundations of Christian Ministry class.
“It was a small class,” Jessica remembers. “I remember thinking he talked a lot because the class was very conversational, and I enjoyed listening to his thoughts on the different topics we covered.”
Soon they discovered they attended the same Thursday night college group. Colton asked Jessica to coffee, and what began as a casual conversation turned into hours of meaningful connection. Jessica especially admired the intentionality with which Colton approached their relationship.
“It took Colton a few more months to make it official,” she said, “and I really admired how intentional he was about guarding not only his heart, but mine too as we figured out whether a relationship was the right next step.”
Their years at LeTourneau provided more than academic preparation. Surrounded by professors, staff, and fellow believers who encouraged spiritual growth, they built a Christ-centered foundation that would later sustain them through life’s hardest seasons.
“LETU provided a strong foundation and encouragement in our relationship with each other and with Christ,” they shared. “Our time there helped us grow in Christ and be encouraged in our faith by believers around us.”
Like many graduates from the Class of 2020, Jessica and Colton stepped into adulthood during a season of uncertainty. The pandemic brought challenges across every area of life, especially within the aviation industry where Colton works. Yet even amid instability, they experienced God’s faithfulness through work opportunities, church community, and provision.
Over time, their family grew with the birth of their son, Ezra. Parenthood deepened their understanding of faith and responsibility.
“It has shown us how important it is to have faith as a strong pillar in our home,” Jessica said. “We pray Ezra comes to know Christ at a young age — not simply because we encourage faith, but because it becomes his own.”
Jessica credits her time at LeTourneau with helping solidify her faith personally and spiritually. Today, she serves both professionally and within her church community. As a project manager working remotely, she enjoys supporting her team and helping clients well. Beyond work, she serves as a lay leader coordinating her church’s media team and leads a women’s discipleship group.
“My communications and Christian ministry background has helped me grow and serve my church family,” she said. “The skills I learned at LETU help me every day — as an employee, wife, mom, and ministry leader.”
In November 2025, their family faced devastating loss when they lost their daughter, Athaliah, lovingly called Thia, during the 15th week of pregnancy.
Yet even in grief, they testify to the nearness of God.
“God has been so good in this season of grief,” Jessica shared. “We’ve been blessed through support from our community — from meals to covering funeral costs. God has shown up in physical and tangible ways.”
Rather than pushing them apart, suffering strengthened both their marriage and their dependence on Christ.
“Our relationship with God and relying on Him has helped us grow closer to each other through hardship,” they said.
Jessica describes this season as one that has profoundly refined her faith.
“I’ve been telling people that in this season of loss, I’ve never felt closer to God,” she said. “Seeing clear answers to prayer — even when they weren’t the answers I wanted — has helped my faith grow. I’ve never felt more aware of God’s presence in my life than I do now.”
Together, they continue learning what it means to cling to Christ daily.
“It looks like praying through uncertainty and pain,” they shared. “Trusting Him even when it doesn’t make sense. And praising Him for all the goodness in our lives, even in this season of grief.”
Looking back, they see how deeply their LeTourneau experience prepared them for both celebration and suffering.
“The Christian foundation LETU helped lay in our lives has helped us lean on Christ through everything,” they said. “The classes, friendships, and challenges from faculty and staff helped prepare us for life.”
Today, the couple remains deeply grateful for the communities surrounding them — both near and far. Their church family in Lincoln has become a source of encouragement, prayer, and practical care during unimaginable hardship.
And to current students, they offer simple but heartfelt encouragement: lean into community, ask hard questions, seek wisdom from mentors, and spend daily time in God’s Word.
“Find an older Christian who can encourage you and keep you accountable,” Jessica said. “Spend time in Scripture daily — not just for class or homework. Find a rhythm that works for you.”
Above all, they remain thankful for the foundation that shaped both their marriage and their faith.
“I am so thankful to have a strong relationship with Christ,” Jessica said, “and that Colton and my relationship is built on Christ first.”
As they continue walking through grief while holding tightly to hope, they ask the LeTourneau community to pray for their family — that they would continue trusting God’s timing and find joy even in sorrow.
