"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."
Romans 8:28 (KJV)
Entering his teens, Alan Chamness, '70, was a dedicated Christian youth who hoped to someday attend a Baptist college. Then, when Alan was 13, his father died of a massive heart attack. Left in a bleak financial situation after his father's death, Alan's wish seemed a virtual impossibility.
"My mother always felt I would be a teacher," Alan recalls. "Since it was impossible for me to go to a private school, she figured we'd find a way for me to go to Southern Illinois University."
Those hopes were dashed, however, when Alan's mother was killed in an automobile accident. What looked like a hopeless situation for the 16-year-old, however, was actually the catalyst in beginning a ministry that has touched the lives of others in immeasurable ways.
The insurance company of the underage driver who caused the fatal accident issued Alan a large cash settlement, just enough to finance his four years at Union.
"It was like seeing God's will unfold before my eyes," Alan says. "My mother had been miserable since my dad's death; she seemed to want to be with him in heaven. Looking back, her death created life for others."
Alan remained active in his Marion, Illinois, church, sensing a call to serve God in ministry.
"I'd always enjoyed being in church, but in trying to be like Christ, I felt Him saying 'I want you to work for me,' " Alan says. "My minister of music helped me define my calling in high school, and I continued to see my role in ministry develop at Union University."
Upon his graduation from Union in 1970, Alan journeyed to The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he earned a master of sacred music. His first post-seminary church position came in 1973 when he was called as minister of music and youth at First Baptist Church, Henderson, Kentucky-- a ministry which continues to bear fruit today.
"During my first day on the job, my pastor told me to visit the home of every youth in our church," Alan recalls. "That tuned me in to my purpose. If I was to be involved in these kids' lives, I needed to show I was interested in them."
Over the years, Alan has developed an incredible rapport with his youth group, or his 'kids,' as he prefers to call them. His office is covered with hundreds of pictures of youth from his 23 years at the church, and each photograph remains special to him.
"It's one way I can show my kids that I care," Alan explains. "They see their picture in my office, and can see they're important to me and to God."
Any given afternoon, 12-15 youth come to Alan's office not for Bible study or a structured program, just to "hang out."
"These kids love coming to church," Alan says. "I think it's important to be available for them, so I try to drop everything in the afternoon and be there for them. When I'm sick or out of town, the only thing on my mind is that I'm missing out on time with my kids."
Alan takes his kids' futures just as seriously as the time he spends with them. Recalling the tremendous impact a Christian education made on his life, Alan has helped send more than 60 students from his youth group to Union University.
Alan Chamness, '70, poses at Homecoming with a few of the 60-plus students he has helped send to Union University. Pictured are (front row): Oliver Schulz and Shane Critser, and (back row) James Hunter, Heath Farmer, Cindy Arnold, Alan, Brad Vose, '95, Suzanne Barnett, '95, Adam Brown, '95, and Julie Schrecker Ziegenhorn, '89.
"The work Alan does is unbelievable," Robbie Graves, '87, admissions counselor for Kentucky students, said. "I have never seen a youth director so in tune with his kids and dedicated to their success."
"I can tell if a youth is 'Union material,' " Alan explains. "If a student is dedicated to God, their family and their future, they deserve to go to a place like Union."
Tim Patterson, a junior history major, is one of approximately 15 former Henderson youth currently pursuing a degree at Union.
"He was definitely the reason I chose Union," Tim says. "I'd planned on going to Vanderbilt all along; I'd been accepted and awarded $17,500 a year in scholarships, but Alan still pushed for Union. I won another scholarship at Union, and decided it was the best choice for me."
"Union is an environment where students can bloom; no matter who you are or where you come from, Union will equip you to succeed," Alan says. "My mother always expected I would become a teacher, and I suppose that's what I've become."
"I've been able to see kids I've discipled be called to minister and disciple others," Alan says. "It's exciting to watch that process unfold-- God's work just keeps evolving."
Part of that evolution arrives when Alan's "kids" have children of their own who participate in Alan's youth ministry. In fact, Alan's first ministry "grandkid" graduates high school in two years and, if Alan has his way, will be a Union University freshman in August 1998.
"My focus, regardless of the outcome, has been to love Christ," Alan says. "From my childhood, to the death of my parents, to the present day, I can see Christ at work through it all. And no matter what happens, the key is to love and trust Him more."
Comments and suggestions concerning this site should be forwarded to:
Last updated on June 14, 1996.
