About the Founder
People call me Hank. Let’s begin with something important: I am not a theologian with a degree from a denominational seminary. My academic background is a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Texas Tech University, which trained me to examine complex issues from multiple perspectives. That training shaped the way I approach Christianity and church history.
My study of the Christian faith has always centered on primary sources, the writings of those who were closest to the events themselves. When I study Christianity, I try to look first at what Jesus taught and how the earliest followers of Christ understood and practiced those teachings.
In my early years, I studied for the priesthood with the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, preparing for missionary work. Although I did not ultimately become a priest, the experience deeply shaped my spiritual life and commitment to studying the teachings of Jesus.
Over the past 40 years, I have studied theology across several Christian traditions, including Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic communities. Each tradition carries insights and wisdom, but I have also observed that every denomination places its own interpretation on the teachings of Jesus.
For more than 20 years, I have been actively preaching and teaching the Gospel. My work has included:
- Authoring several books on applying the teachings of Jesus to everyday life
- Hosting a weekly radio program, The Cowboy Gospel Hour, for nearly a decade
- Producing podcasts focused on living out authentic Christian faith
- Pastoring a Bible-based church in Llano, Texas
- Planting a church in Marble Falls, Texas, which became the seed of this ministry
Throughout all of this work, my approach has remained the same.
I do not believe in yelling at people or frightening them with threats of hell.
I believe that when people truly follow the teachings of Jesus, they gain the strength, wisdom, and peace needed to face life’s challenges.
That belief is the heart of CTC Ministry.
The Purpose of CTC Ministry
C.T.C. Ministry exists to preserve and practice the foundational principles of Christianity as they were understood by the earliest followers of Jesus.
This means looking back to the period before Constantine, when Christianity was not aligned with political power and when the teachings of Jesus were practiced primarily through small communities of believers living out their faith.
My focus is simple: return to the core teachings of Christ and apply them to everyday life.
What Ie Teach
Biblical Teachings
My teaching centers on the New Testament, especially the Gospels, which record the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
I also draw wisdom from portions of the Old Testament that focus on practical wisdom and understanding, particularly Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.
Other Old Testament passages are used primarily when they are directly referenced by Jesus or quoted in the Gospels.
Scripture references are taken from the New American Standard Bible (1995).
Simplicity and Authentic Christian Living
At CTC Ministry, the goal is simple: to explore the teachings of Jesus honestly and apply them to the real challenges of everyday life.
Faith is not meant to be something practiced only on Sunday morning. It is meant to guide how we live, how we treat others, and how we face the difficulties that life inevitably brings.
This ministry invites you to study the words of Jesus for yourself, reflect on their meaning, and consider how they might shape the way you live. I encourage everyone who listens or reads these teachings to open their Bible, examine the scriptures carefully, and decide for themselves how the message of Christ applies to their own lives.