Titus ’17 & Rebecca ’20 Vester
Titus Vester, Bachelor of Arts in Bible
Next Gen. Pastor at Willow Hills Baptist Church in Prescott, AZ
Please describe your position and what you enjoy most about it.
As the Next Gen. Pastor, my role is to disciple and minister to youth, their parents, and college students and invite them into a life-transforming journey with Jesus while fostering spiritual growth. I also work closely with our Senior Pastor and church staff to help provide pastoral care, plan services, and preach regularly. Our church is rapidly growing and is currently in the process of relocating to a new 18-acre campus just a few miles from our current location.
I enjoy serving alongside our church staff and ministry teams as we work together to care for our church family. It is a privilege to be part of a growing church community that is passionate about seeing people grow in their relationship with Christ and live out their faith in everyday life.
What aspects of your HLGU experience helped you prepare for your career?
HLGU prepared me for ministry by providing a strong biblical foundation in Scripture, theology, and practical ministry experience. The professors not only taught us how to think biblically, but how to apply what we learned in the classroom to real-life ministry situations. They also prepared me to lead teams, organize ministry events, disciple students and families, and thoughtfully engage the cultural and theological challenges facing the church today. Collaboration with professors and fellow students also gave me hands-on experience in working with people from different backgrounds and life stages.
My time at HLGU continues to help me serve effectively as a pastor, care for people well, and lead others into a deeper relationship with Christ.
What have you enjoyed most about your career?
I love working with students and helping them grow into a deeper love for God and equip them with a stronger understanding of His Word. One of the greatest joys of ministry is building meaningful relationships with students, encouraging them in their faith, and walking alongside them through the challenges and different seasons of life. My desire is to create an environment where students feel known, cared for, and challenged to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
Have you earned any additional degrees?
Master of Theological Studies (MTS), Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
How did HLGU shape you as a person?
Beyond academics, HLGU helped shape my character and spiritual life. It challenged me to grow in my walk with Christ, develop leadership skills, and learn how to serve others with humility and compassion. God used HLGU to bring me to spiritual maturity and develop a profound love for God, his Word, and his Church.
Please share a specific example from your career or life when the skills you gained at HLGU helped you most.
One specific way HLGU prepared me for ministry was through public speaking and learning how to communicate Scripture clearly and effectively each week. My professors helped develop my ability to teach and preach in a way that was both biblically faithful and engaging. The training I received at HLGU has been especially valuable in preparing sermons and Bible studies that are grounded in Scripture while also being practical and applicable to everyday life.
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
One professional accomplishment I am especially proud of is helping develop and grow our youth ministry program through intentional discipleship and leadership development. This included building stronger ministry structures, creating Bible studies and discipleship opportunities for students, and equipping volunteer leaders to better mentor and invest in the next generation. It has been rewarding to see students grow spiritually, become more involved in the church, and begin stepping into leadership roles themselves.
What HLGU professors played a part in your success? How did your relationship with faculty help you succeed?
The HLGU professors who played a significant role in my success were Dr. Turner, Dr. Mullin, Dr. Brown, and Dr. Bergen. Each of these professors invested countless hours pouring wisdom, encouragement, and practical ministry insight into my life both inside and outside the classroom. They not only cared for me as a student, but also as someone God was preparing and equipping for ministry. Even today, I still stay in contact with them to seek their wisdom and guidance, and I am grateful to now consider them not only mentors, but also friends.
Do you have any tips to share with students interested in this field?
First, get to know your professors and develop a relationship with them, they are an excellent resource. Second, don’t be afraid to try new opportunities, you never know how God might be equipping you through the experience. Being a Next Gen. Pastor was not my original career goal, yet through the experience I gained at HLGU, God prepared my heart and uniquely equipped me for my current role.
What are some of your favorite HLGU memories?
My favorite memories while at HLGU were the worship nights, mission trips, midnight breakfast, and being able to meet students from all over the world.
What on-campus activities were you involved in at HLGU?
The Gathering, Bible studies, The New Edition, and various student activities.
HLGU’s motto is “knowledge for service.” What roles have these values played in your life?
In my role as a pastor, HLGU’s motto, “knowledge for service,” continues to shape the way I lead and minister. HLGU impressed upon me the responsibility to use the knowledge and training I received not simply for personal growth, but to faithfully serve and lead others. It taught me that biblical knowledge should always move beyond the classroom and into practical ministry, discipleship, and service within the church. HLGU helped me understand that true Christian leadership is not about position or recognition, but about faithfully using the gifts and knowledge God has given us to point others toward Christ.
Find Titus on LinkedIn
Rebecca Vester, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Records Clerk for Yavapai County in Prescott, AZ
Please describe your position and what you enjoy most about it.
I work at a courthouse in the Records Department, pulling files for Judges and putting orders and pleadings into the correct cases.
What aspects of your HLGU experience helped you prepare for your career?
HLGU equipped me with real world knowledge and the compassion to work with people and serve people who are hurting and in need of help. I took a few Criminal Justice courses at HLGU that has given me a foundation for this field of work.
What have you enjoyed most about your career?
I enjoy the tasks and being a part of a bigger picture.
Have you or are you currently continuing your education?
I have taken a few master level business courses, but currently have no plans to continue education.
How did HLGU shape you as a person?
HLGU strengthened my faith and helped me to become more well-balanced.
What HLGU professors played a part in your success? How did your relationship with faculty help you succeed?
Dr. Voss challenged me through self-reflection and different perspectives that have stuck with me throughout my career.
Do you have any tips to share with students interested in this field?
Psychology isn’t just counseling or social work. You use aspects of Psychology every day that influence how you interact with people or interpret their actions.
What are some of your favorite HLGU memories?
Midnight breakfast was always memorable. My favorite memory was of Titus wrestling with a trashcan to get the bag out and everyone cheered when he got it out and held it up triumphantly.
What on-campus activities were you involved in at HLGU?
My first year I was a volleyball manager. I also attended a lot of student life events and Bible studies. In 2019 I went on a Mission trip to England which was phenomenal.
HLGU’s motto is “knowledge for service.” What roles have these values played in your life?
There are always opportunities to mess up, but having the mindset of continued learning and a servant’s heart will help you to see your role in furthering God’s kingdom in whatever capacity He has placed you. While I may not have the most prestigious job in the courts, I still play a part in making sure justice is served. The way I do my job and interact with people in the courts can have an impact on their whole experience.