Graduate Spotlight: Retired business executive pursues master’s degree to further spiritual leadership skills
Bryan Langford turns family tragedy into a platform for providing compassion, hope through his new vocation in ministry.
Keely Hagan | 615-966-6491 |
Bryan Langford came to Lipscomb’s Hazelip School of Theology in response to a source of deep pain and a calling to provide compassionate care to others who are suffering.
On Saturday, Dec. 16, at Lipscomb’s commencement ceremony, he will earn his Master of Divinity, equipping him better than ever before to draw from his own personal pain to help others be spiritually and emotionally healed.
The ministry had been on Langford’s heart for years. Yet, his decision to start a new career –a vocation–as a full-time minister, author, teacher and motivational speaker did not come until after a family tragedy taught him to lean on God and spurred him to use his story to develop a ministry that would serve God through helping others.
He says he was enjoying a blessed life–he and his wife were raising their boys, he was actively engaged in church, and he was developing a successful career, where he had opportunities to interact with and impact thousands of lives around the world as he strived to honor Christ as a servant leader.
Then suddenly his world was turned upside down. In May 2014, his 23-year-old son was tragically killed in a work-related accident.
Despite the heart-wrenching loss, Langford and his family leaned on their faith in Christ, established scholarships, a non-profit foundation and encouraged organ donation. They also developed a platform where they became a source of hope and ministry to families experiencing similar pain.
After taking early retirement at the peak of his professional career, Langford was drawn to full-time ministry. For the past year, while earning his Master of Divinity, he has served as the associate minister at New Hope Christian Church in Whitestown, Indiana, and he and his wife have authored the book Beauty and Hope from the Ashes, which has been as high as No. 1 in its category on Amazon.
“I saw an M.Div. program as the ideal path forward to equip me for these roles,” says Langford, “and as a catalyst for further developing my capabilities to serve the Kingdom of God.”
“The biblically based approach of the Hazelip School of Theology resonated with me, and the flexibility of the program’s schedule aligned with my professional commitments,” he says. “I have enjoyed contributing to Lipscomb’s strong Christian community while learning from talented faculty and program colleagues.”
As Langford stands on the brink of his graduation, he reflects on a life dedicated to faith, family, and compassionate service. From personal tragedies to global impacts, his story is one of resilience, hope and an unyielding commitment to serve others.