Hugh Plappert’s life of faith, innovation and service

Hugh Plappert’s story defies the notion that turning 50 marks the beginning of winding down. For him, it has been a rebirth and a season to harness decades of technical expertise, ministry work and hard-won life lessons to serve others.

His journey, which began with an easy fix on a malfunctioning microcomputer at a Bible college, has spanned more than four decades.

It has taken Hugh from working behind the scenes at a small religious institution to influencing Fortune 500 companies. More recently, he and his son launched a groundbreaking service that connects thousands of people to their spiritual communities every Sunday.

A quick fix earned a scholarship

Hugh’s career began in a most unexpected place, a Bible college in St. Paul, Minn. Upon arrival at Apostolic Bible Institute, Hugh learned the school had a major technical problem with its new TRS-80 microcomputer.

While others would have seen this as a setback, Hugh recognized it as an opportunity. Drawing on skills he had acquired in high school, he fixed the malfunctioning system on his first day.

This unselfish act not only earned him a “working scholarship” that covered his tuition, room, and board, but it also set him on a path that would intertwine his faith and technical abilities for more than 41 years.

Balancing a dual vocation, Hugh’s early career wove his responsibilities in church technology and his growing role in the secular world. He spent years consulting for more than 30 major corporations by fixing broken databases and ensuring that critical systems ran smoothly.

Hugh’s expertise not only saved companies millions of dollars, but it also allowed him to see firsthand how technology, when used wisely, could be a force for good. His technical acumen was complemented by a deep commitment to service, which has continued to guide him long past the age when most people think it’s time to retire.

Reinventing service in a digital age

After turning 50, Hugh embraced a new chapter by channeling his skills into ministry technology. When the COVID pandemic struck, many churches found themselves struggling to connect with their members through online platforms.

For families without reliable internet, seniors who find modern apps and logins intimidating, and for countless individuals cut off from their spiritual communities, a solution was urgently needed.

Hugh teamed up with his son, David, who created PhoneLive.io. It is a service designed to extract audio from a church’s live video and retransmit it via a traditional telephone network. Instead of requiring users to navigate a web portal or download a complicated app, PhoneLive.io allows anyone with a telephone to simply dial in and listen to a live service.

In a world where technology often complicates life rather than simplifying it, this innovation provided an accessible lifeline to those who might otherwise be excluded from the modern church experience.

Originally designed to help a small congregation in a rural area, PhoneLive.io now helps 1,100 churches to connect with more than 20,000 people every Sunday.

The applications are wide-ranging. It provides a connection for people with dementia who might struggle with digital interfaces. It also offers a lifeline to parolees who are temporarily restricted from internet use, and facilitates translation services during multilingual worship.

Each use case reinforces the idea that sometimes the simplest solutions can have the most profound impact.

Mentoring and community connections

In addition to his technical and business ventures, Hugh has always held a passion for mentoring others. His career in church technology and corporate consulting gave him unique insights into how technology and ministry can intersect to produce remarkable results.

Today, he channels that wisdom into mentoring young professionals and church tech enthusiasts through LinkedIn. He shares tips on navigating the complexities of working in technology for ministry, maximizing one’s salary, and finding the right work culture.

Rather than focusing on titles or accolades, Hugh emphasizes the value of being a servant-leader.

“The transition of turning older isn’t about having more authority,” he explained. “It’s about watching others succeed.”

For Hugh, every opportunity to guide another person is an opportunity to pass on the knowledge he’s accumulated over his career. His mentoring efforts are not only about imparting technical know-how; they’re about helping others discover purpose and fulfillment in their work.

Opportunities to serve come at unexpected times. In one memorable instance, while running errands, Hugh encountered a family in distress on the side of the road. After offering a ride, he learned that the head of the household was struggling with low-paying work and the burden of providing for his family.

Taking the opportunity to help, Hugh offered to “blind” the man’s resume — a process of removing identifying information — and shared it within his network. Within three weeks, the man received not one, but two job offers, ultimately tripling his income.

This act of kindness, which might have seemed small at the moment, blossomed into a life-changing opportunity for the man and his family. It is a prime example of the power of paying it forward.

Lessons learned along the way

Throughout his journey, Hugh encountered triumphs and challenges. He recalls the days when working in corporate environments meant constant adaptation. He had to navigate multiple roles within the same organization to overcome technical hurdles without the modern conveniences of today’s digital tools.

Whether it was managing airline reservations, fixing databases critical to a company’s success, or even stepping in to resolve unexpected crises, Hugh’s resourcefulness earned him respect and recognition.

At one point, after demonstrating his worth by seamlessly managing dual responsibilities, he even secured a 20 percent pay raise from a bank that had once cut consultants’ wages by the same amount.

Yet, despite his professional accolades, Hugh remains humble. He credits his successes to a higher power, a guiding force that has seen him through every challenge.

Finding faith through a radio

Hugh’s story is interlaced with moments of divine intervention. He recalls a story from his youth about how his mother’s initial reluctance to attend church created a life-altering experience for her and a pastor.

The church’s new pastor, wishing to increase membership, offered a transistor radio as a prize to someone who brought a guest to 10 services. One of the members lived next door to Hugh’s family. She explained to his mother that if she attended services with her, the woman could earn the prize.

His mom agreed, found faith and was later baptized in the church. Yet, because she was the only person who responded to the contest, the pastor was convinced it was a failure. 

Decades later, while organizing a surprise celebration for his mother, Hugh tracked down the pastor who had baptized her. When he discovered how Hugh and his family have been impacting churches around the world, the pastor was dumbfounded.

That proved to Hugh that every perceived setback was a setup for something greater. Even when faced with unexpected job losses or difficult transitions in his career, he would remind himself and others that God is still in control.

That perspective not only sustained Hugh during tough times, but also allowed him to see every challenge as a stepping stone toward a future filled with purpose and possibility.

What lies ahead

Today, Hugh is fully immersed in his role at PhoneLive.io. He is taking on consulting projects with Bible colleges as well as coordinating with senior adult minister leaders across national denominations.

His schedule is busier than ever. He works full time, attends conferences, writes articles, and continues to mentor a new generation of church tech professionals.

Yet, despite the many responsibilities, Hugh’s heart remains focused on what truly matters: service, faith and the relentless pursuit of making a positive impact on the lives of others.

Looking forward to the future, Hugh is also learning more about marketing and business. He recognizes that while technology and innovation are key to solving modern challenges, they are only part of the equation. The ability to communicate, connect and share stories is equally important.

As he prepares for upcoming conferences and new projects, Hugh remains committed to his belief that age is not a barrier. Rather, it is a foundation upon which anyone can build a new beginning.

Hugh’s story serves as an inspiration to anyone who believes that life slows down after 50. On the contrary, he demonstrates that, with passion, adaptability and a commitment to serving others, the second half of life can be even more fulfilling than the first.

His journey is a reminder that every challenge, every technical glitch, and every moment of doubt can lead to breakthroughs that not only change lives, but also build communities and strengthen the bonds of faith.

For those looking for guidance on how to navigate their own journeys, Hugh’s advice is simple – keep returning to the altar.

“Just as a young child lays everything on the altar when first coming to faith, so too should we periodically recommit our hearts and minds to what truly matters,” said Hugh. “It is this constant renewal and willingness to start afresh, despite the wear and tear of life, that enables us to keep our youthful, trusting spirit intact.”

In a world where technology often complicates our lives, Hugh continues to make a difference. His journey is not just about the innovations he has introduced or the milestones he has reached. It is about lives he has touched and hearts he has inspired.

Hugh’s work reminds us that turning 50 is not an end, but a new beginning. With faith, innovation and a genuine desire to help others, every day holds the potential for a miracle.

For more information

People can connect with Hugh on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/plappert or via email at hugh@phonelive.io.