Zach Vassar ’04

Redefining Success: A Life Built on Faith

Zach Vassar's path to faith was anything but traditional. Growing up, he was the kind of churchgoer who attended only on Easter and Christmas. He was baptized as a kid, but it was mostly because he saw others doing it. When he arrived at McMurry University to play football, he didn't engage much with chapel services and even failed Intro to Christianity because he did not go to class. However, two people stood out as role models-Rev. Bill Libby and Steve Keenum. Keenum's unwavering faith and leadership as a Christian mentor left a lasting impression on Zach, planting a seed that would take root and grow in the years to come. More than just a campus chaplain, Libby invested in students outside of school, taking them to his land and teaching them about both life and faith. His influence on Zach was profound; in fact, when Zach proposed to his wife, Rachel, in England, it was Libby who held the engagement ring.

After college, Zach didn't immediately pursue ministry. Instead, he followed his studies in Education and Coaching, spending several years coaching high school football. During this time, he struggled with sin and even considered himself agnostic, someone who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God. He was believing the lie that he had to do something, so that he could have something, so that he could be somebody. A deeply relational person, Zach wasn't drawn to religion, but he was searching for a real relationship with Jesus but struggled to find it.

As he wrestled with his faith, God began placing people in his life who needed help. But Zach felt unworthy-who was he to guide anyone? That changed when he met a man from a church in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This man's conviction and genuine faith drew Zach closer to God. It wasn't an instant transformation, but over the years, Zach felt a calling that gradually redirected his life. He realized that coaching teen boys was not his ultimate purpose. During this period of searching, Zach and Rachel got involved in a direct sales business, where they found themselves surrounded by people who stood for something greater. He credits this marketplace as an environment of people that God used to help lead both him to a relationship with Jesus and Freedom in Christ. Zach repented from his sin, surrendered his life to Jesus and was baptized at 31.

Zach and his family eventually left education to discover their true purpose. For five years, they searched for their next home. They moved from East Texas to the DFW area so Zach could be closer to a men's ministry, but after six months, they returned to Abilene. The move was challenging since Abilene was where his struggles first began, but it was also where they ultimately found a church.

In 2017, Zach started attending Beltway Park Church, where he met Randy Reese, the person who would have the greatest impact on his life. Their connection was immediate, and Zach felt as though Randy became a father figure to him. Around this time, Zach met a businessman who owned an oil and gas company and was looking for someone to help transform his company's culture. This unexpected opportunity led Zach to become an oil field chaplain. It was an unfamiliar role, requiring him to connect with men in a way he had never done before. Thankfully, his employer allowed him to work alongside Randy while still serving in the oil field.

In 2022, as Randy prepared to step down from his role as Men's Pastor, the church reached out to Zach about stepping into the role. Ministry was never something Zach actively pursued-it found him. But he felt called to serve, both in his faith and in helping others. Now, Zach has made it his mission to guide men toward a deeper relationship with God, to help restore broken marriages, and to support fathers in becoming the men they truly want to be. He believes in the power of relationships, striving to connect men with father figures, brothers, and sons who can walk alongside them on their journeys-just as Randy did for him.

Zach's journey with Christ was not typical, but it was his own-and everyone's path looks different. For those struggling to find a relationship with Christ or their purpose in life, he offers this advice:

1. Ask. When you enter a room, pray, "God, who do you want me to be connected to?" Make it a habit to ask, and in time, He will reveal the answer.
2. Seek. When God places someone in your life, be intentional-show up and pursue the relationship.
3. Knock. Take the next step-reach out, start a conversation, and step out of your comfort zone. If you do, God will place the right people in your path.

Zach's story is a testament to the idea that faith is a journey, not a destination. His life serves as a reminder that no matter where we start, God always has a plan.

Do you or an alum you know have a great post-McMurry story? We'd love to feature YOU! Contact the Alumni Office at alumni@mcm.edu to schedule an interview.