Dr. Gil Lain Receives Honorary Doctorate from Hardin-Simmons University

ABILENE, TX (05/23/2012)(readMedia)-- Dr. Gil Lain received his first degree from Hardin-Simmons University in 1973. Almost 40 years later, he has been distinguished with an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from HSU, given during the May 12, 2012, graduation ceremonies in Behrens Auditorium.

The 20-year senior pastor of Paramount Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas, has raised a family dedicated to Christian service, pastored churches across Texas, and has received a master's degree and a doctoral degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Lain has led mission trips on three continents, served on the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, served on the Evangelism Committee for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, and nine years, previously, on the HSU Board of Trustees.

Dr. Lain earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and religious education from HSU and the Anderson Medal for overall academic achievement. 

While at HSU, he spent two summers as youth minister at Jackson Avenue Baptist Church in Lovington, New Mexico. He was later named one of the Outstanding Men of America, and in 1994, was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award by the faculty of HSU's Logsdon School of Theology.

Teaching has been a meaningful part of Lain's life-long ministry, beginning while a student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. While ministering at Crestmont Baptist in Burleson, Texas, he accepted an adjunct professor assignment in preaching and field education, which again, was at the Ft. Worth seminary. 

Pastoring at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church in Brownwood, Texas, he led the Martin Webb Preaching Lecture Series for Howard Payne University and taught a New Testament class. Lain also taught pastoral ministry at the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada. Currently, he teaches as an adjunct professor for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, helping pastors in the Bay Islands of Honduras earn degrees in theology.

While serving as senior pastor of Paramount Baptist, he has led eight partnership mission trips to Brazil and five to Chile. He has also led trips in Russia, Germany, Ecuador, Peru, and Paraguay. 

Dr. Lain has written numerous articles for Church Administration and Biblical Illustrator magazines.  He has also written Sunday school curriculums for LifeWay and for the Baptist Standard, and has provided articles for Proclaim and Growing Churches magazines and the Open Windows devotional guide.

A native of Graham, Texas, he is the son of the late Dale Lain of Hamlin, Texas, and Sydonia Sonnenburg of Fort Worth.  He is married to Mary (Ellison) Lain, who also attended HSU. She is the author of the children's book, God Loves You No Matter What, which is available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Mary works as an acting coach and writes and directs drama presentations for their church.

The Lains have three children, Caleb, who earned a Master of Arts in communication from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and serves as a worship and missions pastor at North Side Baptist Church in Weatherford, Texas. Their daughter, Krissie, earned a Master of Arts in counseling from SWBTS. Younger son, Cody, will graduate May 4, 2012, with a Master of Divinity degree from SWBTS.

About Hardin-Simmons University:

HSU has an enrollment of approximately 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students from 28 states and 20 countries.

HSU sits on 220 acres and has a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Eighty percent of HSU's faculty members hold the highest available degree in their fields.

Tuition rates for full-time students do not increase while they are enrolled in consecutive fall and spring semesters and make continuous, satisfactory progress toward a degree. (The tuition freeze does not apply to some programs.)

• Ranked in the Top Tier of U.S. News and World Report's Best Universities in the Western Region

• Cited by The Princeton Review as a Best in the West University

• Recognized by Colleges of Distinction for teaching, learning, and service

• Named to the 2011 Honor Roll by The Chronicle of Higher Education as a Great College to Work For

• Named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll

Through seven schools and colleges, HSU offers seven undergraduate degree programs encompassing more than 70 major fields of study. Eighteen graduate programs are offered, including doctoral programs in physical therapy, ministry, functional manual therapy, and education.

Special programs include Honors, International Studies, and Leadership Studies.

Hardin-Simmons University, founded in 1891, is a private Christian institution, affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas (Texas Baptists) since 1941.