McMurry chooses 2014 grad as its next chaplain
The Rev. Richard "Ricky" Harrison will succeed Marty CashBurless as chaplain at McMurry University.
CashBurless, who took the position in 2017 and became the university's first woman in that role, retired effective July 1.
Harrison will assume the job Aug. 1.
“Harrison was an outstanding student leader when he was at McMurry. Those leadership qualities have manifested themselves in his subsequent service at divinity school, the church and the community," McMurry President Sandra Harper said in a statement. "We are looking forward to his innovative leadership as he serves the McMurry University campus in this pivotal appointment."
He is a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and an ordained elder in the North Texas Conference. Like CashBurless, he is a McMurry graduate, obtaining his bachelor's degree in religion in 2014.
Harrison pursued a Master of Divinity at Duke University, serving on staff at Apex UMC Family of Faith Communities in its ministry for youths and families.
He graduated in 2017 and returned to Texas. For the past six years, he has been a full-time congressional minister in Wise County. His tasks there included church planting, mission outreach, community development and serving from the pulpit. He worked with those known as "nones" - not belonging to an organized faith - and "dones" - those who have left church for various reasons.
Harrison and his wife, Abigail, recently celebrated their first anniversary. She is a graduate student at Brite Divinity School at TCU. Her goal is to serve children and youth through pastoral counseling.
“I am incredibly excited to return to serve the McMurry community as the next university chaplain," Harrison said. "As a young clergy person in the United Methodist Church, I credit my time and experience at McMurry University as one of the most significant factors which shaped my call to vocational ministry. This opportunity to empower and equip a new generation of students through transformative spiritual community on campus and beyond is truly the privilege of a lifetime.”
McMurry is part of the Northwest Conference of the Methodist church.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: McMurry chooses 2014 grad as its next chaplain
