BROWNWOOD – May 5, 2025 – Howard Payne University recently appointed Dr. David Lowrie as dean of the School of Christian Studies. Dr. Lowrie brings more than 43 years of ministry experience and leadership to the role and will begin the position in August. Dr. Gary Gramling, current dean of the School of Christian Studies, will continue to serve as director of Christian studies graduate programs and professor of Christian studies.
“I am excited to welcome Dr. David Lowrie to this new leadership role at HPU,” said Dr. Cory Hines, university president. “Dr. Lowrie is passionate about equipping young leaders to be faithful and effective pastors and ministers. He brings tremendous ministry experience and has provided leadership for 20 years through our Board of Trustees. We look forward to Dr. Lowrie and his wife, Robyn, joining the HPU family.”
Dr. Lowrie has served as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Decatur for the last eight years. His career in ministry spans four decades and encompasses rural and urban settings, as well as church planting and mission work. Dr. Lowrie has served as pastor in El Paso; Canyon; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Mabank; Lewisville and Roanoke. He has led mission teams to Mexico, Paraguay, Brazil and East Asia. Additionally, he was president of Texas Baptists for two years and has served in numerous Baptist associational and state leadership positions.
Dr. Lowrie has served on the HPU Board of Trustees since 2005, including as chair for two years. He previously taught several Christian studies courses at HPU’s extension center in El Paso when he served as pastor of FBC El Paso. He also assisted in the relocation of the extension center to the First Baptist location during his time there.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Baylor University, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.
“I am deeply humbled to be given the opportunity to build on the great legacy of the School of Christian Studies,” said Dr. Lowrie. “For decades, HPU has turned out world changing leaders. The Lord has given me a calling to join this mission to equip and train the next generation of ministers with spiritual depth, intellectual rigor and practical tools to be effective in leading churches to change the world.”
Dr. Lowrie’s wife, Robyn, has served as an adjunct professor at HPU. The Lowries have four daughters, Dr. Kalie Lowrie ’06, Lorin Scott ’09, Jamie Villanueva and Madison Lowrie. They also have two sons-in-law, Dr. Phillip Scott ’07 and Jordan Villanueva ’13, and six grandchildren.
“Robyn and I love HPU. We cannot wait to plant our lives in Brownwood. In many ways, HPU is our ‘family business,’” said Dr. Lowrie.
For more information about HPU, visit www.hputx.edu.
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Cutline 1: Dr. David Lowrie (right) has been named the new dean of the School of Christian Studies at HPU in August. Dr. Gary Gramling (left) will continue to serve as director of Christian studies graduate programs and professor of Christian Studies.