What It Took for Her to Change the World

 “They asked me,” Jenn spoke. “If you were to build it, what would that look like?” Jennifer Murff was 34 when she was asked to share her ideas about creating a center for Christian leaders serving North Africa and the Middle East. “So I built out a strategic plan for them, but I thought someone else was going to launch it. I thought someone else was going to build it…I thought I was just the brains behind it.” Instead, it turned out to be the chance of a lifetime. In 2019 Jenn became the president and CEO of ‘MENA’ - the Middle East and North Africa Leadership Center. “We have trained hundreds of people and hundreds of ministries over the past five years.” She explained.

Jenn says her journey started with “a call from God” when she was 16. “I had a desire in my heart to really have an impact on society,” She stated. “So, leadership became a passion.” However, it wasn’t until her senior year in bible college that she began to see God’s plan unfold. Now 23 and married with two kids, she learned that Regent University offered a master’s degree in organizational leadership. “When I found Regent's program, it made me come alive because I felt like I could actually step into what God's called me to do.” She expressed. So, Jenn enrolled in the program and she, her husband Justin, and their two children left Dallas, TX and moved to Regent’s main campus in Virginia Beach, VA. She knew at once it’s where she belonged. “I love being known by my professors.” She spoke.  “I love being singled out and given opportunities because they knew me. I wasn't just another person, and it wasn't just about my academic aspect. They saw something in me that I didn't even see in myself.” She stated.

Then, two years later with master’s degree in hand, Jenn faced a familiar question: “what did God have in store for her next?” One of her deans had the answer. “He said, ‘Jennifer, you should really consider getting a doctorate. You're a doer and I would make sure that you're in a place that you can build because you're a builder.’” “So, it kind of set me up…it was the perfect, perfect program for me.” She explained. It turned out that this part of the journey, would test Jenn’s resolve and faith. During her second semester, she had a miscarriage.  Exhausted, defeated, and discouraged, she put in her papers to drop out of the program. Soon after, she got a call from the program’s director.  “She goes, ‘Mrs. Murph,’” “I said, ‘yes, ma'am?’” “She goes, ‘I just got a paper that you dropped your courses.’” “I said, ‘I did.’” “She goes, ‘why?’” “I said, ‘I just think it's going to be too hard…I lost a baby and I just can't balance everything.’” “She goes, ‘Jenn, did God call you to get your doctorate?’”  “I said, ‘yes, ma'am.’” “She said, ‘does he change his mind?’” “I said, ‘no, ma'am.’”

“’Then come back, she said.’” “’Pick up where you left off. You are not alone and you do not have to do this on your own.’” “’If God calls you to something, he will equip you to do every good.’” “So I started back that day…right back in the program.”

In May 2016 Jenn earned her doctorate in strategic leadership. She also accepted a teaching position at Regent’s School of Business where she mentored hundreds of students. Even then, Jenn felt this wasn’t the last stop on her journey. “I'm a builder. I'm not a theorist.” She expressed. “I liked it and it was fine, but I didn't want to teach forever.”

Then in 2019, after three years of teaching, Jenn was approached by a team of philanthropists who asked her plan and launch the Middle East and North Africa Leadership Center, or ‘MENA.’ Jenn resigned her teaching position and got to work. “I didn't know exactly what I was going to accomplish.” She spoke. “I just knew it was going to be something that brought God glory.” Under Jenn’s leadership as president and CEO, ‘MENA’ has trained thousands of Christian leaders and equipped hundreds of ministries to spread the gospel of Christ.

Jenn can’t stress enough the role Regent played in guiding and preparing her to help fulfill God’s call on her life. “I would not be where I am today if it was not for Regent University, whether it's with the grade instruction that I received, the mentorship that I received, the opportunities afterwards that I've received…Regent has been so formative in my career in the ministry that God has for me. I am where I am because of this beautiful institution.”