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SBC DIGEST: Sánchez joins SWBTS faculty; Hannibal-LaGrange president resigns

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Juan Sánchez appointed to SWBTS faculty

By Ashley Allen/SWBTS

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) – Southern Baptist “model pastor-theologian” Juan R. Sánchez has been appointed associate professor of theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, President Adam W. Greenway announced Tuesday (Jan. 25).

[2]“Juan Sánchez brings to Southwestern Seminary the combined experience of pastoral ministry, deep academic preparation, and theological scholarship that will richly benefit our students,” Greenway said. “Indeed, Dr. Sánchez is a model pastor-theologian for our students who are preparing to minister in pulpits across the Southern Baptist Convention. Although serving in the School of Theology, he will also teach in the seminary’s Hispanic Programs, further bolstering our already strong Spanish-language offerings. Dr. Sánchez joining our faculty is yet another evidence of God’s incredible blessings to us on Seminary Hill.”

Sánchez, who will continue to serve as senior pastor of High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin, Texas, is scheduled to deliver the convention sermon at the 2022 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Anaheim. He is the first Latino pastor to be elected by messengers to give the address.

“One key way I seek to raise up the next generation of pastors and missionaries is through our local church, High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin,” Sánchez said. “Lord willing, as I enter my final 10-15 years of pastoral ministry, I want to focus my energies outside of High Pointe by investing in theological education where I live. Since I pastor in Austin, it makes perfect ministry sense to give myself to Southwestern Seminary. My aim is to take part in the work God is doing there and, by His grace, raise up the next generation of leaders for the church.”

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A past president of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Sánchez has served since 2016 as assistant professor of Christian theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He earned Master of Divinity (1999), Master of Theology (2002), and Doctor of Philosophy (2015) degrees from the Kentucky-based seminary and also holds a Bachelor of Music in music education from the University of Florida (1994).

“Dr. Juan Sánchez is an accomplished theologian and pastor who has taught and ministered to pastors and students around the world in both English and Spanish language instruction,” said Gregory A. Wills, dean of the School of Theology at Southwestern Seminary. “He has written four books and many articles and chapters. He has served in a variety of leadership roles among Southern Baptists and in evangelical organizations, including serving as president of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. He loves the church of Jesus Christ and has served as the pastor of the High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin since 2005. He has loved and served his wife Jeanine and their five daughters with model devotion and care. In all these areas he has sought carefully to submit in faith to God in utter trust of his Word. Students who have the opportunity to take his classes will find great profit indeed.”

Read the full story here [4].


Hannibal-LaGrange University president resigns

By BP Staff

HANNIBAL, Mo. (BP) – Hannibal-LaGrange University (HLGU) President Anthony W. Allen has announced he will resign from the school, which is affiliated with the Missouri Baptist Convention. He has held the post for nine years.

“My love for HLGU, its students, faculty and staff has been and will always be strong,” Allen said in a statement posted on the school’s website. “I wish the university the very best and remain committed to help it succeed in any way possible.”

His resignation is effective Jan. 31. The board has named Robert Matz, dean of the faculty and vice president for academic administration, as acting president.

The full announcement on the school’s website is here [5].