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.
Request information
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
Sep
11
7:30 PM -
RESET
Sep
12
3:00 PM -
Hopps Museum
Sep
14
11:20 AM -
Week of Prayer
Sep
15
1:00 PM -
Week of Prayer
Sep
16
11:20 AM -
Week of Prayer
Sep
16
12:00 PM -
Women at the Well
Sep
17
1:00 PM -
Week of Prayer
Sep
17
6:00 PM -
Christianity Unfiltered
Sep
18
11:20 AM -
Week of Prayer
Sep
18
7:30 PM -
Week of Prayer
Sep
19
3:00 PM -
Hopps Museum
Sep
22
6:00 PM -
QPR Gatekeeper Training
Sep
23
12:00 PM -
Women at the Well
Sep
24
5:30 PM -
Therapy Dogs
Sep
26
3:00 PM -
Hopps Museum
Sep
30
8:00 AM -
Ignite Service Day
Sep
30
12:00 PM -
Women at the Well
Oct
3
7:00 PM -
Nursing Dedication
Oct
7
12:00 PM -
Women at the Well
Oct
8
6:00 PM -
Christianity Unfiltered
Oct
8
8:00 PM -
Self-Care/Stress Relief Workshop
Oct
10
5:00 PM -
Refugio
Oct
13
All Day -
KJRN Fall Sharathon
Oct
14
All Day -
KJRN Fall Sharathon
Oct
14
All Day -
Mid-Semester
Oct
14
9:00 AM -
Texas Health Huguley Mobile Health Unit
Oct
14
12:00 PM -
Women at the Well
Oct
14
12:30 PM -
Texas Health Huguley Mobile Health Unit
Oct
15
All Day -
Fall Holiday
Oct
15
All Day -
KJRN Fall Sharathon
Oct
16
All Day -
Fall Holiday
Oct
16
All Day -
KJRN Fall Sharathon
Oct
17
All Day -
Fall Holiday
Oct
18
All Day -
Fall Holiday
Oct
19
All Day -
Fall Missions Week
Oct
20
All Day -
Fall Missions Week
Oct
21
All Day -
Fall Missions Week
Oct
21
8:00 AM -
SWAU Career Fair
Oct
21
12:00 PM -
Women at the Well
Oct
22
All Day -
Fall Missions Week
Oct
23
All Day -
Fall Missions Week
Oct
23
8:00 AM -
Deadline for SU Incompletes
Oct
23
11:00 AM -
Odd Friday
Oct
24
All Day -
Fall Missions Week
Oct
28
12:00 PM -
Women at the Well
Oct
30
8:00 AM -
Last Day to Withdraw
Nov
2
All Day -
Advising Weeks Begins
Nov
2
8:00 AM -
Spring Registration Begins
Nov
3
All Day -
Advising Weeks Begins
Nov
4
All Day -
Advising Weeks Begins
Nov
4
12:00 PM -
Women at the Well
Nov
5
All Day -
Advising Weeks Begins
Nov
6
All Day -
Advising Weeks Begins
Nov
7
All Day -
Advising Weeks Begins
Nov
8
All Day -
Advising Weeks Begins
Nov
9
All Day -
Advising Weeks Begins
Nov
10
All Day -
Advising Weeks Begins
Nov
11
All Day -
Advising Weeks Begins
Nov
11
9:00 AM -
Texas Health Huguley Mobile Health Unit
Nov
11
12:00 PM -
Women at the Well
Nov
11
12:30 PM -
Texas Health Huguley Mobile Health Unit
Nov
12
All Day -
Advising Weeks Begins
Nov
12
8:00 PM -
Self-Care/Stress Relief Activity
Nov
13
All Day -
Advising Weeks Begins
Nov
14
5:00 PM -
Refugio
Nov
15
3:00 PM -
University Experience
Nov
16
8:45 AM -
University Experience
Nov
18
12:00 PM -
Women at the Well
Nov
19
6:00 PM -
Christianity Unfiltered
Nov
23
All Day -
Thanksgiving Break
Nov
24
All Day -
Thanksgiving Break
Nov
25
All Day -
Thanksgiving Break
Nov
26
All Day -
Thanksgiving Break
Nov
27
All Day -
Thanksgiving Break
Nov
28
All Day -
Thanksgiving Break
Nov
29
All Day -
Thanksgiving Break
Nov
30
All Day -
Instruction Resumes
Dec
4
7:30 PM -
Advent Vespers
Dec
9
9:00 AM -
Texas Health Huguley Mobile Health Unit
Dec
9
12:30 PM -
Texas Health Huguley Mobile Health Unit
Dec
10
5:30 PM -
Therapy Dogs
Dec
12
5:00 PM -
Refugio
Dec
14
7:30 AM -
Examinations
Dec
15
7:30 AM -
Examinations
Dec
15
6:30 PM -
ESL Fall Ceremony
Dec
16
7:30 AM -
Examinations
Dec
16
7:00 PM -
Nurses' Pinning
Dec
16
7:30 PM -
Christmas Vacation Begins 7:30 p.m.
Dec
17
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Dec
17
7:00 PM -
December Commencement
Dec
18
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Dec
19
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Dec
20
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Dec
21
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Dec
22
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Dec
23
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Dec
24
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Dec
25
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Dec
26
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Dec
27
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Dec
28
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Dec
29
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Dec
30
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Dec
31
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Jan
1
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Jan
2
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Jan
3
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Jan
4
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Jan
5
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Jan
6
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Jan
7
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Jan
8
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Jan
9
All Day -
Christmas Vacation
Jan
10
9:00 AM -
Last Day to Register


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."

