Dr. Abraham Jaquez: Outcomes Conference 25 Highlight

Dr. Abraham Jaquez and the Journey of Seeking

We are blessed that Dr. Abraham Jaquez will be our mainstage speaker for the annual Ment’s Breakfast at the Outcomes Conference 2025.!

Dr. Abraham Jaquez, Ed.D., is the eighth President/CEO of the Baptist University of the Américas. The mission of the Baptist University of the Américas is to provide an exemplary education that produces global Christian leaders. Dr. Jaquez holds a Bachelor of Business Administration/Marketing from West Texas A&M University, a Master of Divinity with biblical languages from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Dallas Baptist University. Dr. Jaquez serves on the Christian Leadership Alliance board.

Now, as you read his thoughts in the spring issue of Outcomes Magazine, you will understand why we are looking forward to being with him!

Thoughts on Seeking

When one ponders the idea of “seeking first” the kingdom of God (Matt 6:33), the concept of prioritizing God’s will in all areas of life and work comes to mind.

From its inception, the Baptist University of the Américas (BUA) has been rooted in advancing the kingdom of God through education and forming Christian leaders. Fundamentally, at the center of prioritizing God’s will is placing his desire, plans, and purposes above your own. It is about aligning the organization’s purposes and mission with his mission.

Our history is deeply tied to the development of Hispanic pastors, many of whom serve in Texas, the U.S., and worldwide. At BUA, we have continually attempted to uphold the guiding principle of seeking God’s kingdom first. How? As we have had to make critical decisions, our pathway began with “seeking first the kingdom.”

His Purposes Matter Most

Our priority has been seeking the Scriptures to discover what God says to us as leaders.

This can take on differing looks, such as:

1. Trusting him even when ideas or plans differ from our own.
2. Being willing to say “yes” to his plan, even when it may seem inconvenient or challenging.

Being in alignment with God’s kingdom means prioritizing His will and understanding that his purposes matter most. This principle has defined our leadership and led us to remarkable moments of divine provision.

Financial Stewardship

One tangible way we have demonstrated this principle is through financial stewardship. By prioritizing kingdom values, such as wise resource management, we have eliminated institutional debt. This commitment has not only allowed us to remain debt-free but has also given us new opportunities to be strategic in all areas.

Remaining faithful to our commitment to being debt-free has enabled us to witness God’s provision through strategic partnerships that align with our mission to provide an exemplary education that produces global Christian leaders.

One such partnership is with Texans on Mission (TOM). This partnership will allow for a new paradigm in theological education by positioning vocational training alongside theological training. This will aid in preparing our graduates to be better equipped for bi-vocational ministry. According to Lifeway research, fewer than two-thirds (62.2 percent) of churches in the United States have a full-time pastor, as noted in the 2015 Faith Communities Today survey. That’s down from 71.4 percent.

Servant Leadership

In addition, a second principle I have learned by seeking God’s kingdom first is the importance of servant leadership throughout our organization.

Scripture states, 

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” 

Mark 10:45, NIV

The Messiah’s heart was to serve and give his life for his creation. At BUA, we strive to reflect Christ in how we lead, teach, and engage with each student, staff member, and faculty member.

Servant-led, Christ-centered education, in this sense, goes beyond simply mentioning Jesus in classroom discussions and assignments. It means that the servant leadership principle exemplified by Jesus – to serve first – must permeate every aspect of the university. As a leader at BUA, I have continued to promote this spirit of service both within our campus community and externally through our partnerships and supporters. We recognize that everything we cultivate internally will inevitably shape our external impact. 

Faith Driven Decisions

A third principle of seeking God’s kingdom first is utilizing the ingredient of faith-driven decisions. At BUA, we do not base our decisions solely on numbers, economic trends, or market conditions. Instead, our approach begins with first receiving God’s word and then acting. This does not mean we neglect careful examination or our due diligence with processes or procedures. On the contrary, we hold every decision to judicious scrutiny through prayer and open discussion. We strive to align the organization with the Lord, who is always ahead of us and already knows what awaits BUA in his divine purpose.

We find a biblical example that illustrates this principle of faith-driven decision-making in Acts 15. In this pivotal moment in church history, the early leaders, including Peter and Paul, gathered in Jerusalem to make a crucial decision regarding including Gentiles in the faith. Instead of relying solely on human logic, they sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit through prayer, fasting, and open discussion. Ultimately, they trusted the Holy Spirit, who led them to the unified decision that Gentiles could be saved through faith in Jesus.

God’s Plans are Greater

This example sets a powerful precedent for faith-based decision-making, and it is the model we follow. I hope everyone who steps onto the BUA campus will experience God in ways that affirm that his plans are greater than anything we could envision.

A Special Invitation for You from Dr. Abraham Jaquez

It’s coming quickly, but there is still time to register. Come and Seek God with us!

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