H’Enrie Williams ’14 credits Southwest Baptist University for helping him develop
into the person he is today, both academically and spiritually.
“I focused more on sports in high school than I did my academics,” H’Enrie said. “During my time at SBU, faculty instilled within me a dedication for improving my focus and created a newfound desire to excel.”
SBU faculty helped H’Enrie discover his purpose and pursue his goals. Faculty also helped provide H’Enrie with critical connections and opportunities that helped him network and secure his current job as worship and outreach minister at Westside Baptist Church in Waynesville, Mo.
“The Ministerial Education Days program through SBU’s Redford College helped me build a connection with my current church family,” H’Enrie recalls. “In spring of my senior year I had the opportunity to serve as a worship leader during an ME Day at Westside Baptist Church, where I now serve today.”
These hands-on experiences in ministry provided valuable job networking opportunities for H’Enrie, but he also values the dedicated instruction and genuine care he received from his faculty.
“What I appreciate the most about my professors at SBU was their passion, not only for Christ, but for the development of their students,” H’Enrie reports. “I was blessed to have professors so passionate for their craft and skillset, and passionate for the development of their students, as well. That passion was contagious and made going to class exciting.”
Beyond the classroom, SBU helped H’Enrie develop his leadership skills that have shaped him as he now serves in full-time ministry. Living in an SBU dorm was critical to this growth as he built friendships and led others as a resident assistant.
“During my time as a resident assistant I was blessed to not only lead a hall, but also develop leadership qualities that have played a huge part of what I currently do in ministry today,” H’Enrie states. “God surrounded me with a great community of believers and through their love and fellowship I was able to grow spiritually.”
H’Enrie says he will be forever grateful for the combined academic and spiritual growth he sees in himself as he reflects on his time at SBU.
“SBU will always be a part of me and a part of what God used to develop me into the person I am today.”