Extending a legacy of service

Ministry of Jerry Ramirez ’93, MAYM ’09, inspired by HPU role models

by Rebekah Sterling '18

“There’s no morning that I wake up and think, ‘Aw man, I’ve got to go to work.’”

Jerry Ramirez ’93, MAYM ’09, lives with his wife, Lisa, in Lubbock, where he serves at the First Baptist Church as the minister of global initiatives. Coordinating church missions at the local, regional and international levels while also overseeing local non-profit Serve Lubbock is no small task. The size of the job, however, is exceeded by Ramirez’s love for the work he does.

“I love my job because I’m in a position where I can offer people a hand up,” he said. “I get to do a lot of neat things to help people and help enable those in my church to serve others.”

Ramirez grew up in Seminole and attended HPU from 1989 to 1993. He majored in religious education during his undergrad years and returned to HPU in 2007 to earn a Master of Arts in Youth Ministry degree.

After graduating in 1993, Ramirez served on staff at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church in Brownwood for eight years before moving to Lubbock in 1999. He has been on staff at FBC Lubbock since 2008, primarily serving in missions-related roles, with a brief stint as youth pastor from 2009 to 2012. 

Ramirez is passionate about serving members of his church and others in his community. Undoubtedly, this is a characteristic that was well-modeled for him during his time as a student at HPU.

“I loved every one of my professors,” Ramirez said, listing faculty in what was then called the School of Christianity, including former faculty members Dr. Wallace Roark, Dr. Art Allen ’67 and Dr. Frankie Rainey; and Dr. Gary Gramling ’81, current dean of the School of Christian Studies, director of the Christian studies graduate programs and professor of Christian studies. 

Years later, when Ramirez returned as a graduate student, his impression of his professors, including Dr. Bill Fowler ’75, adjunct faculty member, and Dr. Rusty Wheelington, professor of Christian studies, was the same – that they were genuine about their love for the Lord and teaching others about Him. 

“I have a lot of great memories, being with them in that Christian studies building,” Ramirez said. 

Ramirez also had the benefit of a unique perspective into the life one professor in particular. For two years during his time as an undergrad, he lived with Dr. Robert L. Smith, the dean of the School of Christianity at the time, and his wife, Ethelyn Smith.

“They opened up their home and treated me like one of their own kids,” he shared. 

Most impressive to him was the consistency he saw in Dr. Smith on and off campus. 

“As a professor, Dr. Smith was very influential in my life … just his knowledge and his love for the Lord,” Ramirez says. “What you saw on campus, you saw at the home. He didn’t waver in who he was.”

Dr. Don Newbury ’61, former HPU president and current chancellor, was also influential to Ramirez.

“I remember seeing Dr. Newbury for the first time on campus and thinking, ‘Who is this guy handing out popcorn?’ Lo and behold, it was the president of the university,” Ramirez remembered.

Ramirez recalled Dr. Newbury sitting down with him to ensure he had all the classes and grades he needed to graduate. 

“What an influence he had on me, just being such an authentic man,” Ramirez reflected.

Ramirez continues to maintain connections with the HPU family through social media and is also a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. 

“I’m grateful to still be plugged in at the university,” Ramirez said. He mentioned how the inauguration of Dr. Cory Hines ’97 as president of HPU reinvigorated his involvement, having known Dr. Hines as a student.

“I love, love, love Dr. Hines,” he said. “I’m so thrilled to have him there leading my alma mater.” 

Ramirez looks forward to seeing Dr. Hines and the rest of the administration continue to guide HPU in a way that honors God and changes the lives of students the way it changed his. 

“There is an energy and a love that seems to be there among the staff, administration and faculty – all of the folks serving there.”  

To find out more about the Howard Payne University Alumni Association and related activities, please visit www.hputx.edu/alumni.

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