Isaac Ellis ’14

Please describe your position and what you enjoy most about it.

As you can see I do quite a few things, but all these jobs/positions provide essential service and hands-on work which I absolutely love. Specifically, the small grazing business I started this year has brought a lot of fulfillment and dreams long-awaited. It is a great joy to care for animals and the land that they live on.

What aspects of your HLGU experience helped you prepare for your career?

My experiences at HLGU prepared me for a social world atmosphere, enabling me to be all things to all people without losing sight of my faith and the call God has given me to teach and to train disciples.

What have you enjoyed most about your career?

Well, I feel like it is just beginning, as I hopped around for a bit before I found something that I enjoyed and afforded me the time and opportunity to continue to minister in the way that I do and also pursue some of the dreams that God had put on my heart with health, fitness, and food.

How did HLGU shape you as a person?

HLGU enabled me to grow so much as a believer in Christ through the Biblical program and challenged my thinking on so many levels as a college student. HLGU also gave me the opportunity to play a sport I love and further develop teamwork skills and leadership. HLG also provided an integrating on-campus experience that helped me develop long-lasting friendships and put me in leadership roles as an RA.

Please share a specific example from your career or life when the skills you gained at HLGU helped you most.

I get to use my degree in Biblical studies every day. I may not be a paid pastor or church leader, but I have been called to all the peoples of Jerusalem, and that is where I serve. But in other things of life, I think I was well equipped/trained to be a researcher!

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

My CrossFit Level 2 Certification, my farm, and my ministry

What HLGU professors played a part in your success? How did your relationship with faculty help you succeed?

Dr. Morgan, Dr. Brown, Dr. Bergen, Mrs. Burt all pushed me to become a better student, but as my career didn’t involve vocational ministry their friendships did not influence my successes or failures.

Please list any scholarships, honors, or awards you received as an undergraduate or graduate.

Athletic scholarship for Volleyball, and 50% off tuition for southern baptist affiliation

Do you have any tips to share with students interested in this field?

If the Lord leads you away from vocational ministry don’t get upset. See it as an opportunity to make disciples and test your training.

What are some of your favorite HLGU memories?

Living in Nunn Cook Hall and setting up a Putt-Putt tournament for the hall

What on-campus activities were you involved in at HLGU?

Athletics, Intramurals, Trojan Idol, the date auction, beard off, and everything pertaining to NSO (New Student Orientation)

HLGU’s motto is “knowledge for service.” What roles have these values played in your life?

I gained knowledge in order to serve my God, my family, and my community. I continue to gain knowledge in order to serve more and more.

What is one thing you know now that you wish you’d known when you started in the field?

Think outside the box that I built around my degree