Jon Szeto, alumnus of The Master’s Seminary and senior pastor of Laguna Chinese Baptist Church, entered the presence of his Savior on October 28, 2026, at the age of 45. Though his earthly ministry was cut short by a terminal cancer diagnosis, Jon’s final months testified to the enduring hope of the gospel and the sufficiency of Christ in the face of death.
Raised in a Christian home in Southern California, Jon came to faith in Christ during elementary school. After graduating from UCLA, he worked in public accounting for two years before pursuing pastoral ministry at The Master’s Seminary, where he enrolled in 2006. He graduated in 2009 and went on to spend eight years serving as a college and young adult pastor, discipling and training the next generation of the church. He later earned a Doctor of Ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2015, with an emphasis in biblical counseling.
In October 2017, Jon joined the pastoral staff of Laguna Chinese Baptist Church, where he eventually served as senior pastor. He was especially passionate about discipling young adults and strengthening families in Christ. Alongside his ministry, he treasured his life with his wife, Miranda, and their five children.
In August 2026, Jon received a diagnosis of stage four esophageal adenocarcinoma. As the cancer spread, he endured considerable physical suffering, including a double hip replacement. Yet he continued preaching for as long as the Lord gave him strength. In an interview published by SOLA Network in October 2026, Jon recalled preaching on August 16 while seated in a wheelchair. Reflecting on those final opportunities to proclaim the Word, he acknowledged that the strength to minister came from God alone. “You never know when your last sermon is going to be,” he said, urging fellow pastors to remember the uncertainty of life and to serve the Lord without delay.
The same interview revealed the biblical convictions that sustained Jon as he faced death. He repeatedly returned to Psalm 121, finding comfort in the promise that his help came from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He also reflected on Psalm 23, explaining that the comfort of the Shepherd’s presence does not depend on the removal of suffering. “It’s not that God can’t take away the trial,” he said. “But knowing that God is with me in the storm helps me face the storm.”
Jon’s confidence rested not in a particular outcome but in the character of God and the finished work of Christ. He understood that his greatest need was not physical healing but reconciliation with God through the Savior. The blessings of this life, however precious, were temporary; the salvation secured through Christ was eternal.
That perspective also shaped the way Jon considered his family and the future he would not see. He spoke candidly about the pain of leaving Miranda and their children, particularly his desire to watch his children grow and witness the milestones of their lives. Yet he refused to let the prospect of those losses eclipse the blessings God had already given him. He and Miranda
had been privileged to walk alongside engaged couples, newlyweds, and families through the joys and difficulties of life. Rather than dwelling on what he might miss, Jon gave thanks for the time he had been given.
“The Lord is in control, and He makes no mistake,” Jon said. “And He who did not withhold His only Son surely loves me more than I could possibly understand.” He concluded with a confession that captured the heart of his faith: “Knowing who He is is more important than knowing what He’s doing or why He’s doing it.”
On October 28, 2026, Jon went home to be with the Lord. In a message shared with family and friends, Miranda recalled that even in his final days, Jon’s thoughts frequently returned to their church family. During a moment of clarity, he asked whether their church’s pastoral candidate had accepted the position. He was also able to speak with each of his children, tell them he loved them, and share his final words with them.
Miranda’s account of Jon’s final hours included a simple but moving detail. When asked what he wanted to do in heaven, Jon replied that he wanted to give Jesus a hug.
For a man who had spent his final months contemplating the surpassing joy of being with Christ, the answer was fitting. Jon recognized that the joys of this life are only a foretaste of the glory to come. Fellowship with believers, the joys of ministry, and the blessings of family are precious gifts, but for those who belong to Christ, they will be surpassed by the satisfaction of His presence.
Jon’s passing is a profound loss for Miranda, their children, their church, and the many people he shepherded throughout his ministry. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and pray that the Lord will sustain them through their grief. Yet we join them in the Christian hope that makes mourning possible without despair: Jesus Christ has conquered death, and those who belong to Him will live with Him forever.
In Miranda’s words, “We mourn as those with hope.”