eNuevas Nov 28, 2006

Citing gratitude for the strong institution that BUA has become and
a "deep reflection on stewardship of my life and gifts," Dr. Reyes shared his process of understanding that BUA is now ready for a new kind of leader best suited to the "building chapter" of her history.

As president of Buckner, Dr. Reyes will be the first to head a newly reorganized institution that combines both international orphan care and domestic US child and family services. With a reported annual budget of over $27 million dollars, Buckner ranks as one of the largest faith-based human services agencies in the world. The recent reorganization is a strategic move to significantly expand Buckner's international ministries and broaden its missional involvement with local churches and volunteers.

Reyes closed the announcement by saying that leaving Baptist University of the Americas has been difficult, but he intends to maintain a close association with the school. “Buckner will need BUA to continue developing cross-cultural leaders for social ministry in Texas,
the United States and the world. I will continue supporting BUA in their future successes.”

As the semester winds down, the BUA family will have several opportunities to express their gratitude and well wishes to Dr. Reyes:

Staff Encuentro Wednesday, November 29, 2006,
12:00 - 1:00 p.m., BUA Cafeteria

Staff Christmas Luncheon Thursday, December 14, 2006,
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. La Paloma Blanca

Come & Go Reception Thursday, December 14, 2006,
4:30 - 6:00 p.m., BUA Cafeteria

Trustees Meet to Make Transition Plans

Wednesday, November 15-- While trustees of Baptist University of the Américas met recently to formally receive the news of Dr. Albert Reyes' departure from BUA, they made definite plans to ensure that the operations and growth of the university continues its upward course during the transition to new presidential leadership. Topping the agenda were the nomination of a search committee and slate of search committee advisors, approval of a construction contract for BUA's new student housing village and welcome of several new trustees.

Amidst a host of affirming words for their outgoing president, trustees recognized Dr. Reyes' legacy of a strong institution whose every key indicator validates its ability to grow through the transition and fulfill the vision that has been steadily gathering momentum in recent years.

The trustees' first action was to name a search committee that will nominate an interim president to lead the university while a more expansive search process is conducted for a future president. Tapping those on the board whom had served previously as either a board chair, committee chair, or search chair, the board chose a search committee consisting of trustees Teo Cisneros (Chair), Debbie Ferrier, Francis Barrera, John Bobo,and Doug Diehl. The search committee expressed a desire to enlist an interim president before Dr. Reyes' conclusion date of December 31.

As a vital aid to the presidential search process, trustees also nominated a number of advisors from denominational and Hispanic leadership throughout Texas. These advisors include Baldemar Borrego (Hispanic Baptist Convención President), Frank Palos (BGCT Interim Hispanic Ministries Director), Robert Rodriguez (Pastor, Primera Iglesia Bautista Harlingen, 2nd-Vice President BGCT) Alcides Guajardo, (immediate past-president of Convención) Robert Cepeda (Pastor, Primera Iglesia Bautista Los Fresnos), Alfonso Flores (Pastor, Primera Iglesia Bautista San Antonio), Keith Bruce (BGCT Director of Institutional Ministries), Irma Alvarado (Hispanic WMU President) , Rudy Camacho (past president Convención, Gambrell Street Baptist Church), Delia Vela (President, Pastor's Wife Conference for Convención, Westway Baptist Church, El Paso).

Trustee Chair Debbie Ferrier said, "The search advisors will play a vital role in providing input for the presidential profile that will guide the search process. These men and women were chosen for their trusted relationships with Texas Baptist churches and their deep commitment to the BUA vision for cross-cultural theological education."

Moving ahead with new campus development, trustees also acted to approve and award a
$ 5.4 million construction contract to Galaxy Builders for phase one construction of the Piper Student Village slated to open in fall 2007.

President's Office--The Presidential Search Committee will like to meet with all BUA employees on Thursday, December 14^th from 10:15 AM to 11:15 AM at the BUA Conference Room. The purpose of this meeting is to receive our input regarding the profile of the next President. Please mark this date and time in your calendar and plan to be there. Thank you!

International Students Planning Holiday Travel
Admissions Office-- All international students traveling outside the US during the Christmas holidays should check with Mary Ranjel before traveling.

uuEvents & Academic Calendar

    Nov 28...............Chapel with Student Preaching
    Nov 28...............Sígueme and Student Council Meeting
    Nov 29...............Faculty Meeting, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
    Nov 30...............Christmas Celebration Chapel
    Nov 30-Dec 1......Plaza Global Missions Conference
    Dec 4.................Last day for removal of (prior long-term semester) incomplete grades
    Dec 4-8..............Finals Week
    Dec 14...............Presidential Search Committee Meets with Staff, 10:15 - 11:15 a.m.
    Dec 14...............Faculty/Staff Christmas Luncheon
    Dec 14...............Come & Go Reception for Dr. Reyes & family, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
    Dec 15 - Jan 2.....Campus Closed for holidays
    Jan 8-9...............New Student Orientation
    Jan 29-Feb 2.......Career Fair

uu Student Life

Dr. Nora Lozano presented a paper in a panel discussion that dealt with the topic of “Hispanic Theologians as Organic Theologians" in the annual meeting of La Comunidad of Hispanic Theologians during the events of the American Academy of Religion in Washington, DC held on November 17-21.

uu Alumni In Touch

Victor & Patty Pérez
Latino Church Pastor,
First Baptist Church
Knoxville, Tennessee

"Check it out.. http://www.fbcknox.org
then link to the 'latino church' for the latest on what we are doing. I hope you are doing great... you are in my prayers, now I truly know what it is to plant a church. Thank you for your encouraging words the last time we talked.

Because I was going to send to you this one... I found Honduras here, and most of the people we are ministering are from over there. There were four decisions for baptisms this Sunday morning and we were only 8 people there. So you know what the Lord is doing...Praise the Lord. With the Lord will We will baptized them on Nov.5th I'll keep you posted...Thank you

ps: If you see Alejandro Gonzalez tell him to write to me. I used him on a illustration the other day, he is a 'rough diamante... but very rough...' ha!" --- Victor Perez.

Ernesto Ramos
Hispanic Church Pastor
Iglesia Bautista Renacer
Fellon, Nevada
Iglesia Bautista de Sun Valley
Reno, Nevada

"Hello Brothers and Sisters, Mentors and Friends, just to let you know that the work here in Nevada is wonderful. The Lord has given me a task that I am really enjoying, this is, starting TWO churches, yes, you read right, TWO. The first church, IGLESIA BAUTISTA RENACER, is going pretty good, the Holy Spirit is moving!!!! we already had two baptisms, a marriage, and a couple of decisions of faith. We are still evangelizing, having Bible studies at home, and food ministry.

Two weeks ago, the Lord sent me a messanger to tell me that Sun Valley (which is about 15 min from Reno's downtown) needed to hear the world of God and after prayer, I went to talk to Pastor Steve Colquitt to see if I could use his facilities to start a Hispanic Church there and he said "Brother, I believe that buildings are ment to be used, not locked" so last sunday we had our second service there (IGLESIA BAUTISTA DE SUN VALLEY)and was amazing to see how much people are thirsty of the live water that is God's word. Pray for me to be the servant for that area, pray for me to keep God in my top priorities, and pray for me to be true to His word.

I thought that being far from you all (y'all, like Texans say) would be a factor to not miss you, but I was WRONG! I really need to know that you are still my family and that you are praying for me. Thank you very much for the wonderful time and for your priceless friendship. In His Name and till He comes again." ---- Ernesto A. Ramos

Gabe Cortés
Dec 1 Asociación Bautista Mexicana

Soul Cool (BUA jazz band: Paul Kraus, Paul Archield, Manual Martinez)
Nov 19 First Baptist Church San Antonio

Dec 15Guadalupe Street Coffee, 1320 Guadalupe Street San Antonio.
Feb 23Central Baptist Church Coffee House, 1226 S. Presa St. San Antonio.

uu Birthdays

    Nov 30     Rick McClatchy
    Dec 03     Gloria Tijerina
    Dec 10     Sylvia Trujillo
    Dec 16     Gabriel Cortés
    Dec 18     Albert Reyes
    Dec 18     Maria Diaz
    Dec 19     Mario Ramos
    Dec 21     Víctor Martínez

u There is a prospective student for the spring 2007 that is presently in the army and was
    looking at getting out on January 8^th, 2007, and enrolling at BUA, however, he has been
    informed that his brigade may be deployed to Iraq and if he is deployed, he’ll be there
    from January ‘07 – January ‘08 which means he will not be able to begin at BUA until the
    spring of 2008.   His desire is to “finish up what God has called him to do” and come to
    BUA in the spring. His name is Jose (Joe) Molina and he asked us to pray for him and
    for God’s will in his life.

    (Joe was a former student back in the 80’s and he wishes to enroll in the BA program.
    He’ll come to BUA with his wife and 2 children.)

Dr. Reyes Announces Call to Head Buckner

Wednesday, NOVEMBER 15---- In a special called chapel gathering of students and faculty,
Dr. Albert Reyes announced his recent acceptance of a call to become president of the
newly reorganized Buckner Child and Family Services headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

Dr. Reyes has served as president of BUA since 1999 and will assume his new post at Buckner effective January 1.

Dr. Reyes Announces Call to Head Buckner Wednesday, NOVEMBER 15---- In a special called chapel gathering of students and faculty, Dr. Albert Reyes announced his recent acceptance of a call to become president of the newly reorganized Buckner Child and Family Services headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

Dr. Reyes has served as president of BUA since 1999 and will assume his new post at Buckner effective January 1.