By: Katelyn Sims/
Dr. Irene Gallegos, director of Hunger and Care Ministries for Texas Baptists Christian Life Commission, will speak at Howard Payne University’s (HPU) chapel session on Feb. 21. This is the first time in almost three years that HPU has had a female speaker, and Gallegos has quite a remarkable reputation that places her well into the queue of memorable speakers.
Dr. Gallegos graduated from Dallas Baptist University (DBU) with a Bachelor of Science in biology, the University of North Texas Health with a Master of Public Health in behavioral & community health, and Texas Woman’s University with a Doctor of Philosophy degree.
Underneath her academic achievements exists a passion for women’s health, and the fruition of equitable healthcare options provided to those in need. This passion was first put into motion after Gallegos graduated from DBU and became an adjunct instructor at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). During this time, she was working on her dissertation and received an early acceptance into the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston (UTHealth Houston). However, she declined the offer after spending time praying and investing in mentorships with her husband alongside her.
After declining the acceptance offer, Gallegos left UTA despite being in the middle of dissertation work because she felt that something had to give so her family could be best supported.
“Nothing made sense to us, but we knew that everything made sense to God,” said Gallegos, who was then led to Texas Baptists and the Christian Life Commission.
Now, as the director for Hunger & Care Ministries, Gallegos is immersed in humanitarian work.
Gallegos said she hopes to impress upon college students the importance of humanitarian work, adding that it can be difficult for college students (whether traditional or non-traditional) to contribute to the effort. She encourages students to use their voices first and foremost.
“Our voices are the low-hanging fruit, an easy tool to use if nothing else,” Gallegos said.
Since there is constant communication within the university environment, advocacy may be the most accessible way college students can participate, in addition to utilizing the very education they’re pursuing.
“Even if you can’t do anything in the present moment, it’s good to start thinking about it and just explore,” she added.
Reflecting on the journey the Lord has guided her along, Gallegos said the biggest challenge and blessing through it all has been learning to discern the voice of God. In regard to her past and declining the offer to UTHealth Houston, she had a monumental realization that the voice of God may sometimes speak through people and it’s important to be able to know when God truly speaks through them.
“As a woman of God, I realized that my husband, being a man after God’s heart, was actively pursuing the Lord’s answer as well,” Gallegos said.
Gallegos then said the biggest blessing has been finding community.
“In my field of work there aren’t many women or Hispanic individuals to connect with but, there have been men and women of God with whom I’ve established community with,” she said.
Gallegos said she believes when we look for community, it is important to refrain from narrowing our mindset solely around what the world considers to be representation.
“That’s the beauty of the church of God,” Gallegos said. “The church of God is a community not merely derived of people who look alike but those who live by a common mission.”
Looking back on her life and career, Gallegos said that overall, the most memorable testament of the Lord has been His resilience.
“When the Lord says He is faithful, man, He is faithful.”
Katelyn Sims is a sophomore guest writer from Cleburne majoring in global studies and the Guy D. Newman Honors Academy.