Funderburk completes 40 years of South Plains College ministry

Arlano Funderburk

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LEVELLAND—The first person Arlano Funderburk met when he began leading the Baptist Student Union at South Plains College was Debbie Bridges, then student president of the campus ministry.

They sat and talked, getting to know each other and gaining a better understanding of what each believed God wanted to do through the collegiate ministry.

Arlano Funderburk

In the 40 years since then, Funderburk has participated in many similar conversations. Through a one-person-at-a-time approach, he's grown to know multitudes through the Baptist Student Ministries at South Plains College, investing his life in students, faculty and staff.

"I think if you're going to invest in students, there has to be a level of trust. And that's something that has to be earned. It's never an automatic thing," Funderburk said. "I think all of us have to earn it one person at a time."

Funderburk plans to retire in August. But the impact of the conversations and relationships he had with students will continue.

That legacy particularly is strong in interns who have served at the BSM in the last decade. Funderburk devoted hours upon hours to each student, equipping them for leadership. Nearly all went on to attend seminary after serving as an intern with Funderburk.

Ashley Roberts, South Plains BSM's first intern, calls Funderburk "family." They still regularly communicate and see each other. His ability to care about people is amazing, his willingness to trust Christ, inspiring, she said.

"Arlano is one of the most influential people in my life," she said. "He helped broaden my scope of faith. I hope I can trust Jesus as much as Arlano along my journey."


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When Funderburk visits with a person, it's like that person is the only person in the room—even in the midst of a busy event such as the BSM's weekly free lunch, Roberts noted.

"It's like he's having that lunch for you, and all those other 200 people just happened to show up," she said.

Corbin Lambeth, an intern last school year, said Funderburk nurtures the interns he serves alongside.

He helps them grow in their faith by encouraging them, challenging them and giving them increasing responsibilities, Lambeth noted. Under Funderburk's tutelage, interns teach, preach and lead mission trips each year.

"When it comes down to it, he focuses on Christ," Lambeth said. "Christ is his true north."

Funderburk's calling from God led him to serve 40 years at South Plains College and to take college students on numerous mission trips through the years.

God's pull on Funderburk's heart also pushed him to serve in Mexico, where he continues to minister regularly, even though it has grown increasingly dangerous in the area.

Bruce McGowan, director of collegiate ministry with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, praised Funderburk's ongoing influence in students' lives. How he has invested his life in the lives of others has carried the gospel far beyond the city limits of Levelland, he observed.

"Arlano will be missed in Texas BSM," McGowan said. "But his legacy will continue through students and former interns. What a blessing Arlano is to all of us who serve college students across the world."

John Pearce, collegiate ministry regional director for the BGCT, marvels at the way Funderburk was able continously to rebuild student leadership at a two-year school.

"He's was one of the most servant-hearted people you've ever met," Pearce said.

"He's fun to be around, in the sense he really cares about the people he works with and spends time with. When you spend time with Arlano, you always feel better."

BGCT Associate Executive Director Steve Vernon, who served as Funderburk's pastor nearly 18 years at First Baptist Church in Levelland, called the BSM director a "campus fixture." School administrators trusted him. Staff trusted him. Most important, students trusted him as he led them to Christ, Vernon said.

"I appreciate that he has lived in a very Christ-like way in all his life," he said. "He has exemplified the presence of Christ."


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