Ministers

Alan Clute – Involvement Minister

Alan Clute

Alan has been a minister at Hillcrest since May 1999. He graduated from ACU in 1990 with a B.S. in secondary education (teaching fields, math and computer science). He has done additional graduate work in Bible. Alan and Jennifer married in 1993 and have two sons, Jacob and Andrew.

Over the years, Alan’s ministry has concentrated on administration, involvement, and seniors (Hilltoppers). He enjoys getting to know people, taking pictures and helping things run smoothly at Hillcrest.

Alan likes playing 42, Settlers of Catan and other games. He is active with the Hillcrest softball team. He serves as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader and is known as an avid baseball fan, rooting especially for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Jack Hardcastle – Family & Community Minister

Jack Hardcastle

Jack and Susan have been married since 1986, and have worked together as partners in ministry since 1987 full time. Susan is the Executive Assistant to the Director and Chief of Staff for the Athletics Department at Abilene Christian University. They have two children, Joshua (married to Whitney) who also have their two grandchildren, Knox and Brooks; and Jenae Rogers (Married to Keaton Rogers) in Lubbock, Texas.

Jack has spoken all over the country for family ministry conferences and youth gatherings and retreats and has consulted with churches interested in beginning family ministries, as well as serving as a Board Member for Faith at Home Ministries. Jack also published the book “Living in Open Brokenness” in 2019.   He feels a calling to not only minister to families in a church setting, but also to help churches implement and begin family ministries in their setting.

Jack’s philosophy of family ministry in the local church is to provide a proactive response to the issues families face today, as well as a spiritual example of what a godly family and marriage looks like. Jack says, “We are by no means perfect, but strive to be the best spouses and parents we can be in our strengths. We work together to instill in other families a sense of God’s presence, as well as working in our own family to make God a daily presence. Our ministry is an extension of doing for others what God has done for us in our own lives and family, as well as an example of a transparent family attempting to serve God.”

Zachary McCartney – University Minister

Zach McCartney

Zachary became the College minister for Hillcrest in August of 2020. Before, he was the Associate Minister for A&M Church in College Station, Texas, where he had worked on staff since graduating from Texas A&M in 2016. Zachary is married to Carissa and they have two wonderful puppies named Apollo and Persephone. If you cannot tell from the names, Zach and Carissa share a love for ancient cultures and history and will be guiding tours of Israel while Zachary is on staff at Hillcrest. Zach has an masters of divinity from Lipscomb university and has studied physical settings of the Hebrew Bible at Jerusalem University College. He particularly loves college students and walking with them as they examine and ask deep questions about life and faith.

Lance Parrish – Youth Minister

Lance Parrish

Lance began his ministry with Hillcrest in August of 2017 with seven years of youth ministry experience. He also has experience as a worship leader and is a certified pre-marital counselor. He has a BS in Youth and Family Ministry from ACU.

Lance is married to Taylor, and they have two daughters, Avery and Emberly. Lance and Taylor met at ACU and graduated from ACU, so coming back to Abilene is a “homecoming” of sorts.

Jenny Putnam – Children’s Minister

Jenny Putnam joined the Hillcrest staff in August 2022 after retiring from the Abilene Independent School District. She graduated from Abilene Christian University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and holds a K-12 certificate in Special Education. She also has a master’s degree in Education and a certificate in Mid-Management, both from Tarleton State University.

During her tenure with the AISD, she worked as an elementary special education teacher, a learning specialist working with students in grades kindergarten through 12 and served as an assistant director and director for the AISD’s early childhood programs.

Shifting from the public-school setting and into children’s ministry was a natural progression, combining her deep love for God and his lambs with years of experience in serving children and families. She stated, “The Lord sometimes takes our hearts’ desires and gives them delightful and unexpected quarter turns. It’s thrilling to live in the Lord’s purposes for our lives.”

She is excited to be part of the Hillcrest family who love and serve the Lord with all their hearts, minds, and souls.

Steve Ridgell – Local Evangelism Minister

Steve joined the Hillcrest staff as a part-time local evangelist in 2022. He has long had a gift and passion for sharing the story of Jesus with non-believers and equipping fellow believers to share their faith. Steve also works with Herald of Truth Ministries and serves part-time speaking and writing about evangelism. He is the author of Can I Tell You a Story, Followers Making Followers, and Wounds into Scars: Turning Your Sin Wounds into Spiritual Scars. He and his wife Marsha will celebrate 50 years of marriage in 2023. They love spending time with their two kids and their spouses, and of course with their five grands. And they love hanging out at their ranch.