25 Who Inspire | Hulitt Gloer

Dr. W. Hulitt Gloer is the Emeritus Professor of Preaching and Christian Scriptures at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. He has served as pastor and professor and is the author of numerous books. He is also Scholar Emeritus at 2nd Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. Gloer has been a spiritual guide for generations of students and congregants. He and his wife live outside Kansas City, Missouri. They are the parents of two sons and proud grandparents to a granddaughter.

By Preston Clegg

I first met Hulitt Gloer when I was a student at Truett Seminary. I found his preaching to be transformative, his teaching substantive, and his care for students genuine. He preached as he taught, and he taught as he preached, which made it difficult to tell exactly what was happening in the moment. But it didn’t matter, because your life was being transformed either way.

Even though Hulitt could articulate the XYZs of the Christian faith, he never lost sight of the ABCs. He taught us that the prerequisite for Christian leadership is followership of Jesus. He taught us that the Scriptures weren’t just to be read but heard, not merely studied but heeded, not merely exegeted but prayed. He taught us that one preaches not merely with one’s voice but with one’s life, which is what made his preaching so powerful.

He was a favorite professor amongst students, a favorite pastor amongst congregations, and a favorite writer amongst readers. I don’t believe this was primarily because of his deep wisdom, humble charm, or diligent preparation, though he lacked none of those. I believe it was because all of us who followed Hulitt could look up ahead, in front of him, and see Jesus leading the way – leading Hulitt’s way.

I’ve tried to think of a higher compliment for a Christian minister, scholar, and professor, and I can’t think of a single one. I thank God for Hulitt Gloer.

—Preston Clegg is the pastor at 2nd Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas.