Pastor. Former Pro Skateboarder. Founder of Alliance Ministries.

Jay Haizlip was born in Gadsden, Alabama and picked up a skateboard at 10 years old. By the time he hit the professional circuit, he'd earned the nickname Jay "Alabamy" and become the first skateboarder to ride for Vision Skateboards. During the 1980s, he skated alongside legends like Tony Alva and Steve Olson, appearing regularly in Thrasher Magazine and gaining respect for his aggressive pool-skating style.

But as the fame grew, so did the darkness. Jay developed a severe addiction to cocaine that consumed 12 years of his life — years spent chasing highs in violent neighborhoods with no thought of God and no way out. At his lowest point, he encountered a man who told him about Jesus. Jay gave his life to Christ that day, and the addiction broke immediately. He answered the call to ministry and never looked back.

In 2002, Jay and his wife Christy moved to Huntington Beach, California and started preaching out of a local community center. That gathering became The Sanctuary — a church that grew into one of the most unique congregations in Southern California.

On any given Sunday, you might find shopping carts from homeless members parked next to a Bentley in the parking lot. Jay remembers looking out mid-sermon and seeing a famous actress from England, a music producer behind some of the biggest bands in the world, and a heroin addict seeking freedom — all sitting on the same row, none of them knowing each other. One man showed up with nothing but a bus pass and eventually became a wealthy business owner through what God did in his life.

The Sanctuary reflected the full spectrum of Southern California — every ethnicity, every generation, every economic bracket from extreme poverty to extreme wealth. The largest segment was always the younger demographic, drawn to a church where the gospel was raw, real, and didn't require you to clean yourself up before you walked through the door. Jay pastored The Sanctuary for nearly 25 years, building a community that proved the gospel doesn't need to be watered down to be relevant.

Jay's reach expanded beyond the church walls when he was selected as one of six high-profile ministers for the Oxygen Network's docu-series Preachers of L.A., bringing his raw, unfiltered approach to ministry into millions of homes. He previously starred in the UPRISING reality series, which followed professional skateboarders sharing their faith. His media appearances span both Christian and secular platforms — including TBN's Praise the Lord, The 700 Club, James Dobson's Focus on the Family, The Wendy Williams Show, The Arsenio Hall Show, The REAL, Extra TV, MSNBC, BET, omg! Insider, and numerous radio programs.

Alliance Ministries

After pioneering The Sanctuary for nearly 25 years, Jay transitioned into his next assignment: Alliance Ministries — a ministry built to equip, cover, and mobilize believers who refuse to be passive in the Kingdom of God.

Alliance Ministries operates on three fronts. Through a global online community, Jay teaches weekly live sessions that draw pastors, ministry leaders, and committed believers from across the country. As a spiritual covering, he provides direct mentorship, oversight, and accountability for leaders who need a trusted voice over their lives and ministries. And through an active traveling ministry, Jay continues to preach and minister in churches, conferences, and events — bringing the same raw, unfiltered gospel that built The Sanctuary into rooms across the nation.

Weekly Live Teaching:
Monday Night Live — In-depth Bible teaching and discipleship (6 PM PT / 8 PM CT / 9 PM ET)
Thursday War Room — Strategic spiritual warfare and prayer (5:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM CT / 8:30 PM ET)

Jay's gift is making the Bible real and relevant without making it soft. His message is direct, his theology is grounded, and his heart is to see people move from where they are to where God is calling them.

Media & Press

Television: Preachers of L.A. (Oxygen Network, series regular), UPRISING (reality series, lead), The 700 Club (CBN), Praise the Lord (TBN), The Wendy Williams Show, The Arsenio Hall Show, The REAL, Extra TV, MSNBC, BET, omg! Insider

Print & Digital: Focus on the Family (James Dobson Publications), Christianity Today, Huffington Post (contributing writer), Thrasher Magazine

For speaking inquiries or media requests, contact: pastorjayhaizlip@gmail.com

Personal

Jay and his wife Christy split their time between Newport Beach, California and Lookout Mountain, Alabama. They have three children and two grandchildren. When he's not teaching or on the road, you'll probably find him on a skateboard.

"Helping believers go from surviving to advancing."

Join the community: www.skool.com/allianceministries