Learning for the sake of godly living

As we approach the end of July, many are beginning to prepare for back-to-school. We are thankful for the many educators in our Texas Baptists churches, and we pray for a successful upcoming school year.

We are also thankful for our Texas Baptists universities and seminaries. Paul admonished Timothy to be diligent in his growth and development and to keep a healthy balance of life and learning. We teach and learn so that we can live godly lives.

This past weekend, I had the honor of delivering the keynote address for Stark College and Seminary’s board retreat in Corpus Christi. On a personal note, my family and I have had connections to the legacy of this educational institution for many years.

In the 1950s, my father-in-law, the Rev. Isaac Soria, graduated from the University of Corpus Christi, Stark’s predecessor. In 1990, before attending Southwestern Seminary and Dallas Baptist University, I began my formal theological preparation at what was then the Baptist Learning Center, an autonomous extension campus of Howard Payne University. More recently, I had the privilege of serving on the board of what became Stark College and Seminary.

The rich history of Stark College and Seminary traces its origins back to 1945 when a group of prominent Baptists from South Texas convened to explore the idea of establishing a local institution dedicated to the education and training of ministers and teachers. Two years later, in 1947, Texas Baptists threw their support behind the founding of the University of Corpus Christi (UCC), situated on Ward Island. In 1970, UCC and BGCT parted ways after Hurricane Celia.

A few years ago, under the leadership of Dr. Tony Celelli, and while I served on Stark’s board, Stark College and Seminary re-established its relationship with Texas Baptists, adding this school to the fine list of related educational institutions. Today, Stark serves churches and leaders all over South Texas from four locations: Corpus Christi, McAllen, Victoria and San Antonio.

Stark College and Seminary’s mission is to equip the educationally underserved followers of Christ for service in the church and community. Stark is committed to the church, making sure their teaching is applicable, the community, offering affordable education, and making their “campus” accessible.

The school has become an accredited, degree-granting institution (Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor, Master of Arts and a competency-based Master of Divinity) with nearly 300 students. It recently was awarded associate membership with the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and is making plans to continue its growth.

As I shared with the board last Friday night, Texas Baptists is thankful for the excellent leadership through the institution’s board, president, administration and staff. We need quality, relevant, accessible and affordable theological education in our state.

Along with our other Texas Baptists universities and seminaries, we pray and support all the collective efforts made in preparing men and women theologically for service in our churches, institutions and mission field.

Thank you for your part in making this possible through the Cooperative Program and your prayers.