Prioritizing God’s Will

Pursuing educational transformation.

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

It is about seeking to align the organization’s purposes and mission with his mission.

From its inception, Baptist University of the Américas (BUA) has been rooted in advancing the kingdom of God through education and the formation of Christian leaders. Fundamentally, at the center of prioritizing God’s will is placing his desire, plans and purposes above your own. It is about seeking to align 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, across the U.S., and around the world. At BUA we have continually attempted to uphold to the guiding principle of seeking first the kingdom of God. 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 is saying 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 the kingdom of God means prioritizing God’s will and understanding that his purposes matter most. This principle has not only defined our leadership but has also led us to remarkable moments of divine provision.

Principle 1: Financial Stewardship

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

As a result of remaining faithful in our commitment to being debt-free, we have witnessed 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.

Principle 2: Servant Leadership

In addition, a second principle I have learned by seeking first God’s kingdom is emphasizing 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).

The heart of the Messiah 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 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 as 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. 

Principle 3: Faith Driven Decisions

At BUA, we do not base our decisions solely on numbers, economic trends, or market conditions.

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 disregard 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 the inclusion of 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 were able to be saved through faith in Jesus.

His Plans are Greater

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

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Dr. Abraham Jaquez, Ed.D., is the eighth President/CEO of Baptist University of the Américas. The mission of 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. To learn more, visit www.bua.edu or contact him at abe.jaquez@bua.edu.

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Dr. Abraham Jaquez will be the featured presenter for the Men’s breakfast at The Outcomes Conference 2025. He will also be co-hosting the “Emerging Leaders Roundtable” at the conference. Join us April 29 – May 1, 2025, in Dallas: www.outcomesconference.org.