A basketball player from Monmouth University is helping run his family's church in New Jersey, and he's using his faith to get through a dark time.

Trevon Gross Jr. has been surrounded by religion all of his life.

His parents are the founders and pastors of Hope Cathedral in Jackson, but as his father serves time in prison for his role in an illegal scamming operation, Gross Jr. is the man of the church.

Gross Jr. is trying to preach like his dad, even though he's used to watching and listening, but he's had to step up while his family waits for Trevon Gross Sr. to finish out a five-year prison sentence.

Faith is helping him get through this trying time.

Gross Sr. was convicted on charges of receiving corrupt payments, obstructing regulatory investigations and making false statements.

According to authorities, he took bribes and let scammers use a federal credit union he owned to launder millions of dollars.

It isn’t the first time Gross Jr. has had to persevere.

He transferred to Saint Benedict's Prep midway through his junior season, hoping to get recruited for basketball, but he didn’t.

Instead, he landed at the University of Virginia for his academics.

As a senior, he received a scholarship to play for one of the top division-one basketball programs in the country, including this one now at Monmouth University.

He doesn't play much, but he does lead with his voice, just like he's been doing lately at his family's church.

But he does want to inspire people with his story.

He's studying business management at Monmouth University.