Gary Gramling serves as Director of Christian Studies Graduate Programs and Professor of Christian Studies at Howard Payne University. He has been teaching at HPU since 1990, following earlier adjunct teaching experience with Golden Gate Seminary in California. Over the course of his career, Gramling has invested decades in the academic, spiritual, and ministerial development of students preparing for lives of service.
Gramling teaches Greek I, II, III, and IV, along with Old Testament and New Testament introduction courses, John and His Writings, Research and Writing, Youth Ministry & Theology, and additional biblical studies courses. Greek is probably his favorite subject to teach, although he also greatly enjoys introducing students to the Old and New Testaments. His courses reflect his passion for Scripture, careful study, and helping students develop tools they can use in ministry and lifelong learning.
One of the things Gramling values most about teaching at HPU is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives and ministries of students. He also deeply appreciates the relationships that develop across campus. His interactions with students, faculty, and staff have led to friendships that he expects will continue well beyond the classroom and throughout the years ahead.
Gramling’s passion for teaching was shaped in part by his own experience as a student at Howard Payne. He credits professors such as Dr. Jose Rivas, Dr. Frankie Rainey, Dr. James Shields, and Dr. Wallace Roark with stirring in him a desire to learn, grow, and recognize the importance of wisdom and knowledge. Even before college, his parents and leaders at his home church helped him understand the importance of developing a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Those influences continue to shape the way he approaches both teaching and ministry.
Gramling earned a Bachelor of Arts in Greek from Howard Payne University in 1981. He later completed a Master of Divinity in Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1985 and a Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in 1993.
His writing has appeared in publications including Youth Ministry Update, Biblical Illustrator, and BaptistWay Press. He has also led numerous Winter Bible Studies, youth ministry conferences, and parent ministry conferences, extending his teaching beyond the university classroom into churches and ministry settings.
Outside of HPU, Gramling is involved at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church in Brownwood, where he teaches 12th graders during Sunday morning Bible Study. He enjoys taking road trips with his wife, PJ, spending time with their children, watching football, playing guitar, researching cars, reading about the Dallas Cowboys, watching mystery and suspense movies, and enjoying Mexican food.
Gramling’s connection to HPU is also personal. He met his wife, PJ, at Howard Payne, although they did not begin dating until after college. Through teaching, ministry, mentorship, and longstanding service, he continues to help students grow in knowledge, wisdom, faith, and preparation for ministry.
