Dr. Travis Craver ’05/’11 Promoted to Associate Vice President for Spiritual Formation

Dr. Travis Craver joined the staff at Hardin-Simmons University in 2016. This January, he transitioned into the role of Associate Vice President for Spiritual Formation. Though he humbly will not admit it, Dr. Craver is a pillar of leadership on campus. Each week he brings the campus together in prayer and reflection during chapel, creates engaging programming that generates conversation, and provides mentorship to all. Dr. Craver is also active in the community, serving on the City Council for Abilene as well as various boards.

Dr. Travis Craver addresses that campus weekly during chapel.

Graduating from HSU in 2005, Dr. Craver thought he was meant to practice law. He shared a realization that most can relate to, saying, “I always did what others thought I should.” Even though he worked hard, got into law school, and interned with a law firm, Dr. Craver “never felt peace” with this path. He credits Lynn Ingalsbe, an Abilene defense attorney who he interned with, for nudging him onto the correct path. Shaking his head and smiling, Dr. Craver shared, “Lynn would always ask me two questions: Why are you doing it? and How is it connected to your heart?” These questions caused him to step back and spend a year devoted to prayer and volunteer work.

His interest in giving back only grew as his volunteer position morphed into a full-time position with Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. During this time, Dr. Craver shared that he learned the most about himself while giving of himself. He spent these years ministering to students while also earning a master’s of family ministry and counseling.

Always pushing forward to better equip himself and those around him, Dr. Craver earned a doctorate degree from Baylor University in spiritual formation and leadership. It was during this time he was recruited to join the staff at HSU.

For over five years, Dr. Travis Craver served as Director of Spiritual Formation for Hardin-Simmons University. When asked what spiritual formation is, Dr. Craver answered, “God is a part of each student’s life. Through my role, we can be a conduit to show students how they’re an image of God.” He went on to explain, “Who you are and how you act has to do with what you believe God to be.”

In his limited free time, one of Dr. Craver’s hobbies includes reading. He seeks various perspectives to understand people, history, and experiences. His expansive bookshelf is reflected in the programing he develops for weekly chapel services. Each week, speakers from different backgrounds are invited to speak around a theme. For 2021-2022, the theme has been God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. Dr. Craver explained, “We have an opportunity to meet students who are dealing with firsts. The first time living alone; the first time experiencing love; the first time experiencing failure. Each of these firsts is formational.” These moments may seem mundane or ordinary, but they are actually quite powerful, impacting our students’ development. According to Dr. Craver, these moments provide ways to see how God may be working in our lives at this very moment.

Dr. Craver and his team are already looking ahead, working on a new theme (Detours) and developing the programming for chapel’s 2022-2023 academic year. He shared that the best part of his job is the variety in it and that no two days are the same. Of his role, he shared, “I love what I do and am honored to do it. I’m consistently challenged. I love this school.”

Dr. Craver’s advice to HSU students is simple, yet powerful. “Be kind to yourself,” he said, “and love well.”

Worship with the campus and attend chapel from afar through our live stream, every Tuesday at 9:30 am. To view past chapel services, view our playlist.