 by Dr. Albert
Reyes
 New
Year, New Connections
I
love starting a new year! A new year gives me the
opportunity to think about new possibilities and new
connections for our work at Baptist University of the Américas.
The Christmas holidays allow for ample time to rest, spend
time with my family, and think about what the Lord has done in
the past year.
I also look forward to thinking about what the Lord will do in
the coming year. Dr. Javier Elizondo, Vice President of
Academic Affairs, and I spent a few days laying the groundwork
for new connections in Latin America in December 2005 when we
met with theological education leaders from Venezuela, Costa
Rica, Argentina, and Colombia. We began making plans for
collaboration through online courses and other ventures in the
coming year.
This
year we are also connecting with friends in the Dallas Area to
develop the BUA Dallas Development Council. Drs. George Mason,
Jim Denison, Charles Lee Williamson, Ken Hall, Gary Cook and
Os Chrisman are helping us establish a network of friends who
will support the growth of BUA. We will launch this council on
February 7th. Plans are also underway to connect
with friends in west Texas to create a development council in
that part of the state. Development Council members help
extend and expand the network of friends of BUA. Our San
Antonio Development Council is led by Dr. Bill Thornton,
former mayor of San Antonio. The network provides support,
encouragement, counsel, and a network of friends to advance
the mission of BUA.
One of my goals this year is to connect with pastors and
church leaders in San Antonio and throughout the state to
share the BUA story and dream about ways we might collaborate
for greater impact in the Kingdom of God. Please keep us in
your prayers as we establish several development councils in
our state to tell the BUA story and widen our circle of
influence.
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 by
Brad Russell
The Good News is Still Great News
for Women in India
 When Dr. Nora Lozano
returned from India last October she had one indelible memory
etched on her mind: a Banjara gypsy woman who asked her
plaintively, “Why did God not give women a blessing?”
Lozano,
an Associate Professor of Theology at BUA, presented Bible
studies for Banjara gypsy women as part of the “Good News
for Banjara Women’s Conference.” The event was sponsored
by Global Women, a mission organization dedicated to creating
worldwide friendships among women for learning and service.
The conference drew an interdenominational group of 60 women
leaders attracted to the program of Bible study, evangelism,
and health and community development training.
According to
partner missionaries with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship,
the event was the first of its kind designed to empower women
who have been traditionally overlooked in favor of training
programs designed exclusively for men. Many of the women are
wives of ministers who carry great responsibilities in their
faith communities but have had very little theological
training, an especially urgent concern for those converted
from Hinduism in the last fifteen years of missionary work
among the Banjara.
When asked
by Lozano what she meant by her question, the conference
attendee said, “Well, look at the kind of life we have. At
every stage of a woman’s life here her well-being is
threatened.” She went on to describe a host of atrocities
faced by women: the abortion of unwanted female babies; the
government denial of ultrasounds to prevent the abortions
which consequently reduces the quality of prenatal care; the
dowry system of arranged marriage that burdens impoverished
families; the physical abuse of women, such as bride burning,
where women are burned with hot water if the dowry is not
paid; and the ancient custom of sati, or widow-burning, which
though outlawed still persists as a means of honoring the
deceased husband.
“I told
this dear woman,” says Lozano, “that according to the
Scriptures, the Christian God wants women and men to receive
the same blessing. All are created in God’s image and called
good. All receive the blessing to be fruitful and multiply,
care for the creation and serve the world in his name.”
The next
few days the gypsy woman did return and listened attentively
to Lozano’s Bible studies chosen to empower and dignify
women. She heard the creation stories from a woman’s
perspective. She listened to the gospel invitation to be made
whole through Christ. She received a welcoming invitation to
faith and discipleship to Jesus, discovered her own giftedness
through the Holy Spirit and was taught of her potential for
serving the world.
At the
conclusion of the conference, Lozano remembers how the woman
once again approached her saying with obvious joy, “Now I
understand God sent me an angel to teach me all these things.
God sent me you. Thank you.” In retrospect Lozano remarks,
“The gospel is still good news here, but it is good news
there in a much more powerful way. When you are speaking to
people who are born into a caste system, the whole gospel idea
that everyone is created in the image of God and called to
salvation, it is so very powerful. I am so grateful to witness
this once again.”
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to send alumni updates
Dr.
H.B.
Ramsour Celebrates 95th Birthday
Several alumni and friends of BUA gathered recently at First
Baptist Church in Blanco to celebrate the 95th birthday of Dr.
H.B. Ramsour, beloved former president of Hispanic Baptist
Theological Seminary from 1960-1989.
Dr.
Javier Elizondo is pictured at right with Dr. Ramsour and
Violet, who quipped, "When he makes his 100th birthday,
he's on his own to plan the party!"
After visiting for a few hours with many friends and family,
Dr. Ramsour stood with his characteristic poise and announced
to all, "The Scriptures speak of the crown of life.
Looking around at this circle of friends, I know you are my
crown."
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2006
Rollins Lectures, March 2-3:
God's Heart for the City
featuring
Dr. Raymond J. Bakke
Join us for a
series of conferences on how to better minister and evangelize
the growing urban areas. Dr. Bakke has become the catalyst for
over 100 urban-based church and mission leaders in many of the
world's largest cities. Conferences are scheduled on Thursday
at 11:00 a.m. and 7:00p.m., and on Friday at 10:00 a.m.
Click to purchase dinner
tickets
for $15 per person from
Rev. Gabriel Cortes or
call 210.924.4338 x 298.
BUA
Homecoming Weekend, March 3-4
Gather
with alumni and the BUA community for a weekend of inspiration
with Dr. Jesse Miranda, great food and family games.
 Schedule:
Friday, March 3
6:00 p.m.
Dinner
7:00 p.m. Dr.
Jesse Miranda
(en
español)
Saturday, March 4
8:30 a.m.
Continental Alumni
Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Dr.
Jesse Miranda
(en
español)
11:00 a.m. Homecoming
Family
Activities
Dr.
Jesse Miranda is co-director of the Hispanic Churches in
American Public Life research project.
He is the founding and current president of the Alianza
de Ministerios Evangélicos Nacionales (AMEN), a
multi-denominational association of Hispanic Protestant lay
and clergy leaders in the USA, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico.
AMEN fosters unity among religious leaders, churches and
organizations and promotes a central voice for Hispanic
Protestants across the continent.
Click to make reservations
with Roxane Ayala for dinner and family activities or call
210. 924.4338 x246.
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