Three ACU graduates accepted positions with Abilene’s largest Church of Christ congregation this summer.

Early in the summer Ben Siburt, Brandon Scott Thomas and Matt Pinson filled the various roles of executive minister, worship minister and director of communications, respectively, at Highland Church of Christ.

Ben Siburt, who graduated in 2000 with a degree in biblical text, accepted the position of executive minister at Highland. He oversees all of the ministries of Highland Church of Christ.

As the new worship minister, Brandon Scott Thomas, who graduated in 1992 with a degree in communications, is in charge of the worship aspect of the church’s mission.

Matt Pinson, who graduated in 2003 as an advertising and public relations major, serves at the director of communications. He manages any communication the church sends out, such as bulletins, mailings and websites.

The men said they all agree that their time at ACU helped shape the success they have seen in their ministry careers. Pinson said he believes the education he received at ACU trained him for this role.

“I felt very prepared going into the work force,” Pinson said.

Thomas said he agrees that ACU prepped him for serving God’s call of ministry.

“ACU equipped me to think ministry happens no matter what type of job you have, to be a Christian leader no matter what job you’re in,” Thomas said.

All three men had ties to Highland Church of Christ during their time at ACU. Even though each moved away after graduation, none of them hesitated when they received the job offer.

Siburt is an Abilene native. Though he also moved out of Abilene after graduation, he said he is happy to be back at Highland.

Pinson said after graduation he moved to Nashville and when he heard about the position at Highland, he knew that was where God wanted him to be.

“Lots of us went to Highland while we went to ACU, so getting to move back to Abilene was exciting for me. It’s a nice little town,” Pinson said. “We had missed it since we graduated.”

Thomas said he has always loved Highland.

“I’ve talked with Highland over the course of the years about worship stuff,” Thomas said. “I dreamed about how cool it would be to work at Highland.”

The men were selected for their roles by a worship committee and a search committee. They join a number of other Highland Church of Christ employees who are also ACU alumni, such as preaching minister Jonathan Storment, who finished graduate school at ACU in 2007.

Siburt, Thomas and Pinson said they find working at Highland to be a blessing. Siburt said he enjoys being able to work with the staff of Highland. Pinson said he also thinks the staff makes the position even more fulfilling.

“I love the staff and the elders of Highland. The leadership is awesome,” Thomas said. “Highland is awesome.”

But the men said there was one more thing that made their jobs great.

“We get to invite people into an experience with God,” Thomas said. “It’s the biggest honor and privilege. I love that part.”