A Brief History of Baptist University of the Américas
(revised September 13, 2007)

The University was established in 1947 by the San Antonio Baptist Association as the Mexican Baptist Training School and later named Mexican Baptist Bible Institute.

Under the leadership of Rev. Paul J. Siebenmann, Educational Missionary of the Mexican Baptist Convention, the first classes were conducted in evening sessions during the winter of 1947 at Palm Heights Baptist Church to train Spanish-speaking pastors and Christian workers. Dr. C. G. Carter was elected president in 1949. With support from the San Antonio Baptist Association and in cooperation with the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT), the Institute provided post-secondary educational services in Spanish. In 1962, the BGCT assumed operational responsibility for the Institute through its state missions department.

Dr. H. B. Ramsour, a missionary of the Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board) of the Southern Baptist Convention, was elected president in 1960. In 1963, under Dr. Ramsour’s leadership, the Institute acquired a 12-acre site in south San Antonio through a gift from the Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas. Dr. Ramsour oversaw the construction of seven buildings on campus made possible through gifts from San Antonio Baptist churches, Mary Hill Davis offerings, and Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Rollins.

Dr. Ramsour was succeeded by Dr. Daniel Rivera as president of the Institute in 1976. Under Dr. Rivera’s leadership, the endowment grew to $1 million and the eighth building on campus, an apartment project, was constructed. Funding was provided by Mr. W. W. Rollins.

In 1981, messengers to the 96th Annual Session of the BGCT approved the merger of the Mexican Baptist Bible Institute with Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Through merger, the institution maintained its identity, fulfilled its unique purpose as the Hispanic Baptist Theological Seminary, and became a vital force in the training of Hispanic leadership for ministry. From 1982 to 1988, the Seminary offered accredited programs in Divinity, Religious Education, and Church Music through its relationship with Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Affiliation was reestablished with the BGCT and its State Missions Commission in 1989. Rev. Leobardo Estrada became interim president, serving until October 1989. Dr. Josué Grijalva was elected president later that year, serving until retirement in 1993. Dr. Omar Pachecano became the fifth president in 1993, serving until January 1999. Under Dr. Pachecano’s leadership, the endowment grew to $2 million and application for accreditation with the Association of Biblical Higher Education was begun. Dr. Charles Lee Williamson then served as interim president through the summer of 1999.

Dr. Albert L. Reyes was elected president in July 1999, and the name of the Seminary was changed to Hispanic Baptist Theological School at the request of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

In 2003, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board granted a Certificate of Authority to award a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical/Theological Studies. Later that year, the Commission on Accreditation of the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges, now the Association for Biblical Higher Education, approved the School for Initial Accreditation and accepted it as an Accredited Member.

The name of the institution was changed to Baptist University of the Américas in 2003 to better connote its accredited status to Latin Americans and to more clearly reflect its vision for preparing cross-cultural ministry leaders for a variety of vocations both within the church and in the broader community.

In 2006, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board issued a certificate of authority to grant Associate of Arts degrees, and the University began offering an Associate of Arts in Cross-Cultural Studies.

That same year, the University, in cooperation with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, purchased an 80-acre site in south San Antonio for the development of a new campus. Subsequently, BUA launched a $9 million comprehensive campaign, the largest capital campaign in its history. The Piper Village, a 65-unit student housing project, is currently under construction on the new Baugh Family Campus and is slated for opening in January 2008.

On May 7, 2007, the Board of Trustees elected René Maciel to lead Baptist University of the Américas into its seventh decade of service.

In 2007, the Association of Biblical Higher Education approved the granting of additional degrees, a Bachelor’s Degree in Cross-Cultural Business Leadership and a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish.

As the University celebrates its sixtieth anniversary, the opening of a new campus and the introduction of new degree programs, Baptist University of the Américas continues to expand its passionate commitment to education for cross-cultural ministry in a Hispanic context.