Last weekend I got to experience my first HPU Homecoming. Last year, Hillary and I went to visit her brother in Oklahoma, and I missed it. I was glad I was here for it this year.
On Thursday night Hillary and I used our date night to go see the HPU Theatre Department put on the musical South Pacific. Several of the FBC Brownwood college students were involved, so it was fun getting to see them do something they love and are clearly gifted at. I didn’t go to the parade on Saturday morning, but I was at the football game, and got to see the Lonestar conference champions from 1971 take the field. It was a neat experience to see them enjoy the recognition from the event, and I can just imagine those men sitting around and reliving that season.
The coolest part of the weekend for me though was Sunday morning. When I walked into our sanctuary, the stage and stage right area were set up for a full band to play. I had no idea the treat I was in for. Alumni from all over the country were once again under their former director playing an instrument they may not have played in decades. One man just got his saxophone that morning, and another woman had to rent a clarinet after not being able to find hers after a two week search. They wanted to be able to play together again, they were excited about it. You could tell in the way they played. You could tell in the way the director directed and the multiple times he choked up while speaking to the congregation about his experiences with that band.
It was a moment where I realized how blessed I am. I’m blessed to be ministering at the church I’m at. I’m blessed to be receiving a Biblically based education where I am. I got to listen to people talk about how they hadn’t seen some of the people they played with Sunday morning in 37 years. Multiple people told us about how they were married on that alter. The band director shared that all four of his children had been baptized at that church. There is a deep, rich history with the First Baptist Church of Brownwood and Howard Payne University that I think is often overlooked. I am glad, I am blessed to be a part of that history now, and I can’t wait until I come back for my own homecoming somewhere down the road. I have made many relationships here that I know will be lifelong, and I’m sure to make many more before my time here is over. I’m already looking forward to next year and taking the time to sit with alum and hear their stories about their days at HPU.
Grace & Peace,
Stippick
