Pastor Buster Swoopes, dressed in a gray suit, stands and talks as he teaches his class

Religion

Our Bible-based curriculum and hands-on approach prepare individuals for a life of ministry. 

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Religion Department

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

In the Keene Church, two female students hold hands and bow their head as they pray together

Events


Oct

26


6:30 PM -

Table Talk


Oct

28


5:00 PM -

Women’s Bible Study


Oct

30


7:00 PM -

Southwestern Recital Series Piano Duo


Oct

31


8:00 AM -

Last Day to Withdraw


Oct

31


7:30 PM -

Departmental Vespers


Oct

31


7:30 PM -

Education & Psychology Departmental Vespers


Nov

1


3:00 PM -

Hopps Museum


Nov

1


6:00 PM -

FIFA Tournament


Nov

2


All Day -

SWAU Thanks & Giving Run 2025


Nov

3


All Day -

Advising Weeks Begins


Nov

3


8:00 AM -

Spring Registration Begins


Nov

4


All Day -

Advising Weeks Begins


Nov

4


5:00 PM -

Women’s Bible Study


Nov

5


All Day -

Advising Weeks Begins


Nov

5


7:30 PM -

Wednesday Knight Worship


Nov

6


All Day -

Advising Weeks Begins


Nov

7


All Day -

Advising Weeks Begins


Nov

8


3:00 PM -

Hopps Museum


Nov

9


3:00 PM -

University Experience


Nov

9


4:00 PM -

Hillcrest Fiesta


Nov

9


6:30 PM -

Table Talk


Nov

10


All Day -

Advising Weeks Begins


Nov

10


8:00 AM -

University Experience


Nov

11


All Day -

Advising Weeks Begins


Nov

11


5:00 PM -

Women’s Bible Study


Nov

12


All Day -

Advising Weeks Begins


Nov

12


7:30 PM -

Wednesday Knight Worship


Nov

13


All Day -

Advising Weeks Begins


Nov

13


8:00 PM -

Self-Care/Stress Relief Workshop -Painting


Nov

14


All Day -

Advising Weeks Begins


Nov

15


3:00 PM -

Hopps Museum


Nov

15


4:45 PM -

Refugio (The Refuge)


Nov

16


6:30 PM -

Table Talk


Nov

17


All Day -

Keene ISD: Theatre Event


Nov

18


5:00 PM -

Women’s Bible Study


Nov

19


7:30 PM -

Wednesday Knight Worship


Nov

22


3:00 PM -

Hopps Museum


Nov

24


All Day -

Thanksgiving Break


Nov

25


All Day -

Thanksgiving Break


Nov

25


8:30 AM -

Women’s Bible Study


Nov

26


All Day -

Thanksgiving Break


Nov

27


All Day -

Thanksgiving Break


Nov

28


All Day -

Thanksgiving Break


Nov

29


3:00 PM -

Hopps Museum


Dec

1


7:30 AM -

Instruction Begins


Dec

2


5:00 PM -

Women’s Bible Study


Dec

3


7:30 PM -

Wednesday Knight Worship


Dec

4


7:00 PM -

Southwestern Recital Series Voice Recital


Dec

6


3:00 PM -

Hopps Museum


Dec

7


6:30 PM -

Table Talk


Dec

8


7:00 PM -

Southwestern Recital Series Strings Studio


Dec

10


7:30 PM -

Wednesday Knight Worship


Dec

13


3:00 PM -

Hopps Museum


Dec

13


4:45 PM -

Refugio (The Refuge)


Dec

15


7:30 AM -

Examinations


Dec

16


7:30 AM -

Examinations


Dec

17


7:30 AM -

Examinations


Dec

17


7:00 PM -

Nurses' Pinning


Dec

17


7:30 PM -

Christmas Vacation Begins


Dec

18


7:00 PM -

December Commencement


Dec

21


6:00 PM -

Community Band Concert


Jan

11


9:00 AM -

Floorball Tournament


Jan

11


10:00 AM -

Last Day to Register


Jan

12


7:30 AM -

Instruction Begins


Jan

16


8:00 AM -

Last Day to Add Class


Jan

17


4:45 PM -

Refugio (The Refuge)


Jan

19


7:30 AM -

MLK Jr Birthday/School Holiday


Jan

21


2:00 PM -

Hoops Classic Basketball Tournament


Jan

22


7:00 AM -

Hoops Classic Basketball Tournament


Jan

23


7:00 AM -

Hoops Classic Basketball Tournament


Jan

23


8:00 AM -

Last Day to Withdraw w/o W


Jan

24


6:30 PM -

Hoops Classic Basketball Tournament


Feb

2


11:20 AM -

Week of Prayer


Feb

3


1:00 PM -

Week of Prayer


Feb

4


11:20 AM -

Week of Prayer


Feb

5


1:00 PM -

Week of Prayer


Feb

6


11:20 AM -

Week of Prayer


Feb

6


12:00 PM -

Spring Break Begins


Feb

15


8:00 AM -

Deadline for Fall Incompletes


Feb

21


4:45 PM -

Refugio (The Refuge)



Jerry Pinzon graduated from SWAU in 2013
Michael Gibson graduated from SWAU in 2016.



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."

Faculty

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