Alumni in Ministry Spotlight: Evan Henson '11
Evan Henson '11
Evan Henson, associate pastor of University Life at First Baptist Church Lubbock, is a 2011 graduate of HPU with a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry Leadership. He also earned a Master of Divinity from Truett Seminary. He previously served as student minister at Grape Creek Baptist Church in San Angelo and Crosspoint Baptist Church in McKinney. Evan grew up in Duncanville, Texas.
Briefly describe your call to ministry.
The summer after my junior year in high school, I spoke with my youth pastor, Greg Bowman (also an HPU grad) about feeling called to vocational ministry. We were at our youth camp in Glorieta. I ended up chalking it up to just an emotional experience though I knew it was out of a selfish desire to do life the way I had planned rather than follow God in this scary journey. Throughout my senior year, I wrestled with this call. While working at Mt. Lebanon Camp the summer before I left for college, I finally surrendered to what I knew God had called me to do.
Why did you choose HPU?
I chose HPU because I was changing my college choice (ironically, from Texas Tech) in late July. I applied to HPU because my youth pastor had attended there, but I also applied to Baylor and really wanted to go to Waco. Due to a few different reasons I chose to go to HPU, intending to transfer to Baylor soon after. After getting on campus, joining the baseball team, and meeting the professors, I had no doubt I would be staying. And I’m grateful I did since I met my wife Erin (Hogan) ’11 while there.
How has Howard Payne shaped your ministry?
HPU provided me, not only knowledge about Scripture and ministry, but a network of people I still reach out to regularly. It has been such a blessing to be able to reach out to former professors and classmates when I need someone to lean on. Not to mention there are four other churches and one parachurch organization in Lubbock who have HPU grads I went to school with.
What is it like serving together on staff with other HPU alumni?
It has been such a joy to serve with Justin and Jerry. Justin was doing his master’s while I was doing my undergrad so we did not meet until our paths crossed at Super Summer. Jerry and I did not meet until I came on staff at FBC. But having guys who know so many of the great professors, have a similar mind and heart for ministry, and have so many mutual friends in ministry has been incredible.
What would you say to a student considering studying ministry at HPU?
GO! But seriously, HPU has been a critical part of my story. Much of my story (family, ministry, personal walk with Jesus) would look much differently had I not attended HPU. Small schools also offer a relationship with faculty and staff that large schools simply can’t accommodate. If your goal is to build deep, rich relationships with peers, professors, and with the Lord, HPU is a place you will find that endeavor encouraged and nurtured.
What excites you most about your work with youth and/or college
Young people do not know what the word “impossible” means. They have not become cynical yet. It is exciting to challenge them to seek to do all possible to spread God’s work.
What is an event that has made a significant impact on how you do ministry?
When I was at HPU, Dr. Gramling offered to help students with their resumes. He suggested that I think about my ministry Philosophy. I took the suggestion seriously, and now cite 2 Timothy 1:1-2 as guiding passage.