Na’ Teisha Johnson: President of Student Council

Major: Biblical and Theological Studies

Lake Charles woman who stayed after ‘kind of’ registering,

now student president at Baptist University of the Américas

By Jennifer Moczygemba-Delgado – BUA Communications

SAN ANTONIO, TX- “Um, grandma, I am kind of registered for college and staying in San Antonio now.  Can you send me some clothes and money?”

It is hard to tell who was more shocked by the August 2009 phone call, Na’ Teisha Johnson or her grandmother.  Only days earlier Johnson had no plans of staying in San Antonio past August–much less pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

However, sudden and unexpected events landed Johnson enrolled at Baptist University of the Américas (BUA) where she is currently president of the student council.

Johnson came to spend the summer with a friend she met in a Christian camp as a teenager.  “She was two years older and moved to San Antonio after she finished high school at Lake Charles Boston High in Port Arthur,” Johnson said.  “The distance was no trouble and we kept in close contact.”  When Johnson, graduated her summer was free, so she accepted her friend’s invitation to visit and headed west on I-10.

As planned, they worked together in Christian camps.  When the friend looked into enrolling at BUA, Johnson tagged along to orientation and ended up filling out paper work for what she thought was going to be for the following year.  Then the news came she was registered for Fall 09.

“Somehow I was enrolled in classes and had a dorm room.  I didn’t know how this happened, but it did, so I had to tell my grandma,” said Johnson.  “I have been here for over three years now and will graduate in May.  My friend dropped out after two weeks and is in Florida now.”

Johnson, daughter of Beulah Johnson and James Window comes from the Lake Charles, LA and grew up attending Inner Court Worship Center.

At BUA she is majoring in Biblical and Theology Studies to get a strong background and knowledge of what she believes in for her planned career as a motivational speaker, focused on youth and women.  “I would like to have a radio station to reach a larger audience.  I want to connect with youth and women who need encouragement, or who feel alone.  I am also learning Spanish and Portuguese to expand my communication skills and people I can help,” she said.

As president of Student Council, she strives to create unity and be a good example to her fellow students.  She led in creating more team activities involving communication including the Back to School Bash (BSB) which had all the students, faculty and Student Council members outside playing games and eating together.  BUA President Rene Maciel, even handled the cooking and had a great time.

“Na’ Teisha is a leader if ever I met one.  She is tough, out-spoken, brave and a very loving, caring person,” declared Dr. Mario Ramos, Associate Professor of Practical Theology, Chair, Department of Biblical/Theological Studies at BUA.  I appreciate her seriousness about the things that are important to her and her dedication and loyalty to our Lord Jesus Christ and to BUA.  I believe that Na’ Teisha is going to continue to do well after she graduates as a significant contributor to the Kingdom of God as an author and a leader.”

Misty Brennan, Senior Representative of Student Council agrees, “Na’ Teisha’s leadership skills are very strong, she has a concern for others that is genuine.  She is always encourages others.  She always has a smile and a welcoming personality.  Na’ Teisha stays on top of things in order to make sure they get done but she also has a great sense of humor.  She is a well rounded leader and honestly the best I have had the pleasure of serving under and next to.”

“BUA is a university mainly for preachers and ministers, so we are factoring this into our events,” explained Na’ Teisha.  “For this reason we have had and continue to have several preaching conferences; a Student Preaching Conference, for the whole student body, as well as a Hispanic and Black preaching conference.  For each of these events we are going to invite several churches to help the students get exposure and experience.  Hopefully this will open up job opportunities for the students and the churches will remember the speakers in the future.”

Na’ Teisha is hardworking, dedicated and extremely committed to Student Council and making sure we get things done.  She strives to put unity in all our events and works hard to make them worthwhile and enjoyable for all the BUA students,” said Vianey A. Gutierrez, Assistant of the Student Council.

For someone who wasn’t even planning to be a part of BUA, Johnson is definitely setting the bar high for the next president.

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Josias Hernandez: Sophomore Representative

Major: Business Leadership

La Grange’s Josias Hernandez listens, leads

By: Jennifer Moczygemba-Delgado – BUA Communications

SAN ANTONIO, TX – Josias Hernandez is working to make everyone’s voice heard at Baptist University of the Américas (BUA).  He sees the gap between “the heard” and “the unheard” voices and as sophomore representative on the university’s student council, Hernandez wants to close it.

Hernandez, son of Jorge and Sara Hernandez, grew up in La Grange, Texas and graduated from La Grange High School in 2009.

“I have always been an “outgoing” person, but one who has a soft heart for others who are over shadowed by more sociable students,” revealed Hernandez.   Hernandez instantly “can look at someone and know when they are feeling down.  The Holy Spirit convicts me to converse and encourage them.”

Hernandez wants to make a difference in the students’ lives who are unable to speak up for themselves.  He wants to voice their words and make change possible in their lives.

“Josias has never let me down, he has always been there we I’ve needed him.  He talks to several students, he always gives good opinions and includes others wants for events.  Josias also knows when to share Gods words in our meeting; he is a great person to be around,” declared Na’ Teisha Johnson, Student Council President.

Hernandez is working towards creating change by socializing and truly listening to the students God calls him to.  He knows by talking and hearing student’s stories, their problems and dreams he can help make a difference in their lives.

Hernandez also works to help the “inferior” students by introducing them to Jesus by his membership in the Navigators.  Navigators, an international, interdenominational Christian ministry established in 1933, are a group of people who love Jesus and work towards helping others get to know and love Him as they “navigate” through life.  Hernandez’s role in the Navigators at BUA is to “lead the group by encouraging them, disciple them, caring for them and planning bible studies for whoever wants to come.

“I also represent the group at any major events that we get invited to.  Currently there are 10 BUA students involved in the Navigators,” shared Hernandez.

One event Hernandez is planning for the students which will create a family environment and help smash the gap between the “heard and unheard” is a barbeque along with a bible study.  “I want to have a barbeque with a bible study because both activities represent family.  This is an event all the students can come to and feel comfortable at.  We can sit together and enjoy a family dinner, then gather around for the bible study.  This event will allow us to express our feelings and suggestions as well as our love for God.  Our Savor will be one thing we can all relate to and share our experiences about,” conveyed Hernandez.

“Josias is always smiling; which makes him a very approachable person.  He is very easy going and enjoyable to talk to.  If there were more people like him, the easier it would be to express ourselves,” stated Osman Picholá, Vice President of Student Council.

“I refer to Josias as the ‘Gentle Giant.’ Although he can appear to be very quiet and reserved he is a thinker who often offers his opinions and suggestions with a simple smile.  When he does speak Josias shares the opinions of students and the word of our Lord.  He works cooperatively with others to accomplish stated goals and has giving spirit,” revealed Dr. Arla J. Johnson, Adjunct Professor at BUA.

After high school graduation Hernandez made the brave move to San Antonio by himself.  He was introduced to the BUA by Theo Cisneros, his pastor at Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana, who is also vice president for development at BUA.  Hernandez was very impressed by the welcoming family environment and the numerous people who told him, “We are praying for you” even though it was his first time he met them.  This remarkable experience was the deciding factor for Hernandez to attend BUA.

Now, halfway toward his degree in Business Leadership, Hernandez works daily to achieve the goal of making opinions heard that would otherwise be muffled.  He strives to connect with those who are feeling down to bring them up.  Hernandez uses his encouraging words to amplify the voices of students who would otherwise be silenced.  He makes it echo in ears until it’s heard and creates change.

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Catrino Resendez: Sophomore Representative

Major: Biblical and Theology Studies

Set out from Cowpens, SC on a Journey to Change the World

By: Jennifer Moczygemba-Delgado – BUA Communications

SAN ANTONIO, TX – On a journey in which pieces fall together in the present, Catrino Resendiz has left his life in the hands of God as he fulfills his calling.  This has led him from his home church Iglesia Bautista Renacer in Cowpens, South Carolina to Baptist University of the Américas (BUA) to major in Biblical and Theology Studies.     

Resendiz, sophomore class representative on the BUA student council, feels he has been called from God “not to change one world, but to change thousands of individual worlds.  It is now in God’s timing that he is preparing.” 

In the past he has been a mentor.  His future plans are to become a youth pastor and after additional preparation become a missionary.  “As a missionary I will be able to share God’s love in many places, I would love this, I love change and tend to get bored when in one place for a while,” admits Resendiz.  He feels a strong calling to South America, China “and” Africa.

Resendiz feels a calling to South America because he can speak the native language and sees people in need of God.  He wants to spread God’s love by sharing His word and by giving basic needs to the people of South America.  Africa is the same way. He feels there are so many people in lack of basic needs, so many who need help.  Everybody says they would like to help, but not many take action, “I am one to take action,” explains Resendiz.  

As for China, Resendiz has had many people share their experiences from their visits. Their testimonies are all the same, “China is in need of Christians that are willing to die for God.  It has taken me years to come to the realization that I am willing to die for God,” shares Resendiz.  Some would say this is an intimidating path, but Resendiz knows he is not alone, for the one who is leading him, is walking with him.  He also has the support of his parents, Moises and Alicia Resendiz, and best friend Lane Schilling. “Every time I feel down they are able to encourage me and pick me up,” reveals Resendiz.

“Catarino is a fun, picture taking, Jesus loving energetic person.  He is inspiring and loves what he does.  He is and will be a great leader,” states Na’Teisha Johnson, the student council president.

“While he may be ‘Catarino’ on official documents, he’s ‘Cat’ to everyone on campus–and just as friendly!  Cat always has a kind or encouraging word to others.  His self-deprecating sense of humor creates an openness that allows others to feel comfortable in his presence.  “He is a thoughtful and diligent scholar, cross-culturally adept and his future holds great promise.  We have studied together several times and I always enjoy his presence in the classroom,” shares David C. Maltsberger, associate professor of Biblical Studies and Archaeology.

“Cat is very energetic; I love to be around him.  He makes all our events and meeting fun to be at.  He has a personality that draws you towards him,” declares Osman Picholá, vice president of student council.

Resendiz admits there are days in which he wants to give up, but he knows “God is preparing him today to make a difference tomorrow.”

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