be_ixf;ym_202403 d_18; ct_100

Bobby Hawk announced as CBC Outstanding Young Alumnus for 2014

Published on Sep 26, 2014 by Evangel University News

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – During Evangel University’s homecoming celebration, Oct. 9-11, Bobby Hawk will be recognized as the Central Bible College Outstanding Young Alumnus for 2014.

The award presentation will be made during a noon luncheon on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the University Plaza Convention Center. The award recipient is chosen by the Evangel University Alumni Association board.

Hawk, a 2003 graduate, is the founding and lead pastor of EPIC Church. EPIC Church is a multi-site congregation with two locations in the Kansas City metro. Since Hawk has been pastoring there, EPIC Church has grown to 400 people, two thirds of whom were not previously attending any other church.

After graduating from college he married Vanessa, and the couple moved to Pontiac, Mich., to plant a church. They spent five years there before moving back to Kansas City in 2008.  EPIC Church began in 2009 in a movie theater and has now grown to include two campuses.

“My time at CBC helped develop in me a heart for church planting,” Hawk said. “I had the opportunity to be around several professors who had previously planted churches, and listening to their stories inspired me.”

Hawk has ministered in seven countries on four different continents.

“Church planting has taught me that people and resources follow faith and vision, not the other way around,” Hawk said. “If you’re waiting for the money and the people to come together before you are willing to step out in faith and cast the vision, then the church you dream about will continue to be a dream.

“Heaven is more crowded because young men and women have been challenged to consider church planting while they were students in college,” Hawk said. “I am excited to see what the future holds as Evangel University continues to train and equip young people for service around the globe.”

Hawk earned a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and theology from CBC. He serves on the board of the Synergy Church Network as well as the Southern Missouri District Church Planting Team.

Bobby and Vanessa have been married for 11 years and have one daughter named Natalie.

Three additional alumni awards are being given during this year’s homecoming celebration, and the recipients are chosen by the Evangel University Alumni Association board: