A calling in pastoral ministry requires preparation. The religion courses and concentrations offered by the Department of Religion at Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) focus on biblical understanding, personal application, evangelism, church leadership, and administration to prepare religion students for excellence in ministry.
What sets us apart
- Pastoral Internship Program, which assigns each junior and senior student to a local church as a student pastor under the guidance of an experienced pastor
- In-depth study of E.G.W. teachings and literature
- Field School of Evangelism, which trains students to perform a five-week-long evangelism campaign in one of the Southwestern Union conferences
- Active preparation for the Andrews University Master of Divinity Program placement exams
- Faculty expertise in Greek and Hebrew languages, biblical preaching, exegesis, and Systematic Theology
We use a real-world application to balance our classroom work, student pastoral experience, and work in the mission field worldwide. Education from the Department of Religion at SWAU facilitates the understanding, appreciation, and application of the Bible and a Seventh-day Adventist Christian worldview.
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How SWAU Ranks
Did you know SWAU religion graduates show some of the best understanding of Greek when entering seminary?
98%
Job placement by graduation
90%
Placed in churches within six months of graduation
15h
Average weekly internship
Church Involvement
Freshmen and sophomores are invited to take part in volunteer roles at churches in the surrounding area. These churches will welcome them and assign them to different ministries, such as the Pathfinder club, Sabbath school classes, praise team, sound and media, or as Bible workers or canvassers. This will help students to confirm their calling as ministers of the gospel.

Church Involvement
Freshmen and sophomores are invited to take part in volunteer roles at churches in the surrounding area. These churches will welcome them and assign them to different ministries, such as the Pathfinder club, Sabbath school classes, praise team, sound and media, or as Bible workers or canvassers. This will help students to confirm their calling as ministers of the gospel.

Events
Jul
5
3:00 PM -
Hopps Museum
Jul
12
3:00 PM -
Hopps Museum
Jul
13
6:00 PM -
Chisholm Trail Community Band Summer Concert
Jul
21
All Day -
STEP - Summer Immersive Program
Jul
22
All Day -
STEP - Summer Immersive Program
Jul
23
All Day -
STEP - Summer Immersive Program
Jul
24
All Day -
STEP - Summer Immersive Program
Jul
25
All Day -
STEP - Summer Immersive Program
Jul
26
All Day -
STEP - Summer Immersive Program
Jul
27
All Day -
STEP - Summer Immersive Program
Jul
28
All Day -
STEP - Summer Immersive Program
Jul
29
All Day -
STEP - Summer Immersive Program
Jul
30
All Day -
STEP - Summer Immersive Program
Jul
31
All Day -
STEP - Summer Immersive Program
Aug
1
All Day -
STEP - Summer Immersive Program
Aug
2
All Day -
STEP - Summer Immersive Program
Aug
2
3:00 PM -
Hopps Museum
Aug
3
All Day -
STEP - Summer Immersive Program
Aug
4
All Day -
STEP - Summer Immersive Program
Aug
5
All Day -
STEP - Summer Immersive Program
Aug
6
All Day -
STEP - Summer Immersive Program
Aug
7
All Day -
STEP - Summer Immersive Program
Aug
8
All Day -
STEP - Summer Immersive Program
Aug
9
3:00 PM -
Hopps Museum
Aug
17
All Day -
Bookstore in Meadows Gallery
Aug
18
All Day -
Bookstore in Meadows Gallery
Aug
19
All Day -
Bookstore in Meadows Gallery
Aug
20
All Day -
Bookstore in Meadows Gallery
Aug
20
All Day -
CORE - Freshman Orientation
Aug
21
All Day -
Bookstore in Meadows Gallery
Aug
21
All Day -
CORE - Freshman Orientation
Aug
22
All Day -
Bookstore in Meadows Gallery
Aug
22
All Day -
CORE - Freshman Orientation
Aug
23
All Day -
Bookstore in Meadows Gallery
Aug
23
All Day -
CORE - Freshman Orientation
Aug
23
3:00 PM -
Hopps Museum
Aug
24
All Day -
Bookstore in Meadows Gallery
Aug
24
10:00 AM -
Last Day to Register
Aug
25
All Day -
Bookstore in Meadows Gallery
Aug
25
7:30 AM -
Instruction Begins
Aug
26
All Day -
Bookstore in Meadows Gallery
Aug
27
All Day -
Bookstore in Meadows Gallery
Aug
28
All Day -
Bookstore in Meadows Gallery
Aug
29
All Day -
Bookstore in Meadows Gallery
Aug
29
8:00 AM -
Last Day to Add Class
Aug
30
All Day -
Bookstore in Meadows Gallery
Aug
31
All Day -
Bookstore in Meadows Gallery
Sep
1
All Day -
Bookstore in Meadows Gallery
Sep
1
7:30 AM -
Labor Day/School - School in Session
Sep
2
All Day -
Bookstore in Meadows Gallery
Sep
3
All Day -
Bookstore in Meadows Gallery
Sep
4
All Day -
Bookstore in Meadows Gallery
Sep
5
All Day -
Bookstore in Meadows Gallery
Sep
5
8:00 AM -
Last Day to Withdraw w/o W
Sep
8
11:20 AM -
Week of Prayer
Sep
9
1:00 PM -
Week of Prayer
Sep
10
11:20 AM -
Week of Prayer
Sep
11
1:00 PM -
Week of Prayer
Sep
12
11:20 AM -
Week of Prayer
Oct
11
7:00 PM -
Nursing Dedication
Oct
15
8:00 AM -
Mid-Semester
Oct
16
All Day -
Fall Holiday
Oct
17
All Day -
Fall Holiday
Oct
18
All Day -
Fall Holiday
Oct
19
All Day -
Fall Holiday
Oct
22
8:00 AM -
SWAU Career Fair
Oct
23
5:00 PM -
University Days
Oct
24
8:00 AM -
Deadline for SU Incompletes
Oct
24
8:00 AM -
University Days
Oct
25
10:00 AM -
University Days


Jerry Pinzon
Class of 2013
"Coming to Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) took place during a crucial point in my life and my military career. As I accepted the call to become a pastor, I found a warm environment and people willing to help me transition from the Air Force to the college classroom. The Religion Department provided excellent tools for my future endeavors as a pastor, especially in the area of pastoral ministry, and the professors were always open for individual counseling and support. As a recently married young man, I found a home at SWAU that welcomed both my beautiful wife and me! We are very grateful to God and to my Alma Mater for the opportunity to experience, change, growth, and family at Southwestern Adventist University.”
Michael Gibson
Class of 2016
"Little did I know that my choice to attend Southwestern Adventist University would lead me to falling in love with biblical languages while studying for my theology degree. Early-morning classes aren’t for the faint of heart, yet my professors began to unravel the beauty and depth of the library of Scripture found in the original text. This knowledge and experience helped me to excel while studying at the Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. Today, I continue to exercise and use my biblical language skills in the classroom and the pulpit as I teach at Southwestern Adventist University and preach at Keene SDA Church. The Word of God is as sharp as a two-edge sword, and I am forever grateful to the Department of Religion at Southwestern Adventist University for giving me the skills to wield it well."
Jerry Pinzon
Class of 2013
"Coming to Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) took place during a crucial point in my life and my military career. As I accepted the call to become a pastor, I found a warm environment and people willing to help me transition from the Air Force to the college classroom. The Religion Department provided excellent tools for my future endeavors as a pastor, especially in the area of pastoral ministry, and the professors were always open for individual counseling and support. As a recently married young man, I found a home at SWAU that welcomed both my beautiful wife and me! We are very grateful to God and to my Alma Mater for the opportunity to experience, change, growth, and family at Southwestern Adventist University.”
Michael Gibson
Class of 2016
"Little did I know that my choice to attend Southwestern Adventist University would lead me to falling in love with biblical languages while studying for my theology degree. Early-morning classes aren’t for the faint of heart, yet my professors began to unravel the beauty and depth of the library of Scripture found in the original text. This knowledge and experience helped me to excel while studying at the Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. Today, I continue to exercise and use my biblical language skills in the classroom and the pulpit as I teach at Southwestern Adventist University and preach at Keene SDA Church. The Word of God is as sharp as a two-edge sword, and I am forever grateful to the Department of Religion at Southwestern Adventist University for giving me the skills to wield it well."

