Dr. H. K. 尼利

University Administrator – Theologian

H.K. 小尼利. was born February 1, 1934 on a farm in Whitesboro, Texas.  他是H的第一个孩子.K. 和埃德娜·尼利, and would become a gifted preacher of the gospel, theologian and excellent academic administrator.

H.K. loved growing up on the farm in Grayson County, playing and working in God’s beautiful creation.  He helped with daily chores and looked after his three younger sisters, learning the value of hard work coupled with love of family.  He often shared stories from his early childhood of attending brush arbor meetings with his parents, borrowing “treasures” from his mother’s purse to play with in the sawdust during services.  这些经历, 毫无疑问, influenced his life-long love for brush arbors, or tabernacles as they were also called, fostered his devotion to the rural church, and developed within him a deep and abiding faith that would lead him to surrender his life to the ministry at the age of fourteen.

在H.K.青少年时期, his family moved to West Texas when his father entered the oil business, later forming 尼利 Well Services.  He attended Cisco High School, 在哪里 he met his future bride, 芭芭拉奇科夫, 1951年毕业, the Salutatorian of his class.  In high school he was named “Who’s Who in PG电子游戏 and Activities,” served as school paper sports reporter and competed in speech tournaments.  After graduation, he attended Cisco Jr. College 在哪里 he was the Sports Editor of the College newspaper, was named to his second “Who’s Who” recognition and was a reporter for the Cisco Press.  From Cisco Junior College he transferred to Baylor University, 在哪里 he graduated in the fall of 1954 with a B.A. 宗教与历史.  随后, he attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 在哪里, in 1963, he earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree and then a Doctorate of Theology in church history.  In the summer of 1966 he pursued post-doctoral work at Harvard University.

H.K. was licensed and ordained at East Cisco Baptist Church in 1952 and began his ministerial career at Spring Creek Baptist Church near Meridian, TX.  When he and Barbara married in Cisco, 7月18日, 1953, it was only natural that they would attend church at Spring Creek the next day 在哪里 he delivered both morning and evening sermons prior to leaving on a honeymoon.  He later pastored at Necessity Baptist Church and then First Baptist Church, Rising Star.  在他一生中, he continued to preach for revivals, serve in interim pastorates, 进行圣经研究.

In the fall of 1963 he and his family moved to Bolivar, Missouri 在哪里 he became In-Service Training Director at Southwest Baptist University, later founding the Courts Redford School of Theology and becoming the inaugural recipient of the Orien B. Hendrex Distinguished Teacher Award.

1980年，上帝召唤H.K. to Hardin-Simmons 在哪里 he founded the Logsdon School of Theology, 他是学校的院长, served as the Phillips Professor of Bible and provided leadership for the building of the Logsdon School of Theology Complex.  The structure’s unique curved shape serves as a powerful metaphor for the embracing arms of God’s love.  His instrumental vision led to the design of the key elements in the Logsdon Chapel window, with the cross in the center, 《PG电子游戏》, 上帝的话语, 在右边, 左边是一只鸽子, representing the Holy Spirit.

He was instrumental in bringing excellent faculty to Logsdon and in recruiting students who have contributed significantly to the Logsdon community.  In 1995, he led the Logsdon faculty to create the Master of Divinity degree, an effort that eventually grew into Logsdon Seminary, with its four graduate degrees and five extensions beyond the Abilene campus.  在洛格斯登时，H.K. was recognized by the 首页 Mission Board for his work in originating In-Service Guidance programs for Southern Baptist 大学.  He received the “Logsdon School of Theology Distinguished 校友 Award” as an Honorary Alumnus in April 1998.

In 1998, he returned to Southwest Baptist University to serve as Vice President for Denominational Relations and Dean of the Redford School of Theology.  In 2002, he became Executive Director of the newly formed Baptist General Convention of Missouri, remaining in this position as a full-time volunteer for two years.

H.K. and Barbara had four children – Robert, Amy, Susan and Kara – and eight grandchildren.

For his distinguished service to the cause of Christ and for his outstanding contribution to theological education, Hardin-Simmons大学 is proud to induct H.K. 尼利 into the HSU 领袖堂.