Fifty Years of HPU Alumni Connections in Ministry
Coincidence?
by Paul Sorrels ’72 and Jeffri Foster ’15
“Coincidence,” or for that matter “random” or “amazing,” are interesting words and may very well be the best description we can give to things we simply don’t understand or cannot explain given the limitations of our knowledge, language, or abilities. However, as “children of God” we have reason to view these events and/or experiences in a different context. Perhaps something like “evidence of things not seen” could be a useful way to conceptualize these connections in life, and perhaps even a definition of faith.
We have constructed a timeline that is particularly interesting in that it appears to be a number of coincidences. This “time line” involves the intersections in the lives of four HPU alumni over a span of 50 years. One has served in numerous ministry positions over a span of 50 years, a second over 30 years, the other two around 10 years. All have worked at the same church at one time or another and three currently serve at the same church. All have interesting stories. Following the time line are interviews with each alumnus. We hope you enjoy examining the time line, connections and reading their interviews. We also hope you will find inspiration for your work.
Cast of characters:
Chuck Gartman — grew up in south Texas and graduated from HPU 1972 (bachelor’s degree)
Jerry Ramirez — grew up in west Texas and graduate from HPU 1995 (bachelor’s) masters in 2007
Justin Hamby — grew up in west Texas and graduated from HPU 2013 (masters)
Evan Henson — grew up in the North Texas region of the Dallas metroplex and graduated from HPU 2011 (bachelor’s)
NOTE: The time line below offers a glance at the connections across decades. Those in bold italics represent time the 4 individuals were connected in ministry, schooling, or other aspects.
1972 Chuck graduates from HPU with bachelor’s degree serves in various ministry positions
1995 Jerry graduates from HPU
2002 Chuck joins HPU as full time faculty member, continues until 2005 when he goes part-time, then in 2016 returns to full time.
2005-2012 Chuck serves at FBC Lubbock as youth minister Jerry was his youth intern.
2007 Jerry enrolls in the MAYM program at HPU. One of Jerry’s first classes in the program was a ministry class taught by Chuck. At that time Chuck was on staff at a church in Conroe and part-time faculty at HPU.
2008-present Jerry serves at FBC Lubbock in a collaboration with Buckner later as minister of missions in large part due to active role of Chuck.
2009 Jerry graduates with the MAYM.
2011 While at FBC Lubbock, Chuck and Jerry both encourage Justin to enroll in the MAYM program at HPU which he does and later enrolls in a course under Chuck.
2011 Justin and Evan both students at HPU but have only passing contacts. One was undergraduate, the other in a graduate program.
2011 Evan graduates from HPU pursues various ministry positions.
2013 Justin graduates with MAYM from HPU and serves in several churches.
2019 Justin is hired at FBC Lubbock as youth minister later became minister to young adults and serves with Jerry. Chuck provided Justin’s name to FBC for consideration and Jerry was the first person he called about the idea of being on staff at FBC Lubbock. “Both had a huge part and influence on me,” stated Justin.
2020 Evan joins FBC Lubbock as college minister. His name was given to the pastor by Jerry who obtained it from a fellow minister. He now serves with Justin and Jerry as colleagues at FBC Lubbock!