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
Mar
16
All Day -
Instruction resumes
Mar
16
4:30 PM -
Women’s Ministry Bible Study
Mar
18
12:00 PM -
Women at the Well
Mar
18
7:00 PM -
Showcase Concert
Mar
19
10:00 AM -
Music Festival
Mar
20
8:00 AM -
Music Festival
Mar
21
9:00 AM -
Music Festival
Mar
21
5:00 PM -
Refugio (The Refuge)
Mar
22
9:00 AM -
Music Festival
Mar
23
8:00 AM -
Summer Registration Begins
Mar
23
4:30 PM -
Women’s Ministry Bible Study
Mar
24
11:00 AM -
Blood Drive
Mar
25
8:00 AM -
Keene High Visit
Mar
25
12:00 PM -
Women at the Well
Mar
25
6:00 PM -
What Every Student Should Know About Protecting Property (Auto and Homeowners Insurance, etc.)
Mar
26
12:50 PM -
Assembly - Heather Thompson Day
Mar
27
10:00 AM -
Farewell Lunch & ESL Completion Ceremony for Prodanyuk Family
Mar
27
11:00 AM -
Farewell Lunch & ESL Completion Ceremony for Prodanyuk Family
Mar
27
3:00 PM -
Praise Break
Mar
28
7:00 AM -
Southwestern Union Pathfinder Bible Experience
Mar
28
10:00 AM -
Praise Break
Mar
28
6:30 PM -
Praise Break
Mar
30
8:00 AM -
Advising Weeks
Mar
30
8:00 AM -
Fall Registration Begins
Mar
30
4:30 PM -
Women’s Ministry Bible Study
Mar
31
8:00 AM -
Advising Weeks
Mar
31
8:00 AM -
Last Day to Withdraw
Apr
1
8:00 AM -
Advising Weeks
Apr
1
12:00 PM -
Women at the Well
Apr
1
6:00 PM -
What Every Student Should Know About Investment Planning
Apr
2
8:00 AM -
Advising Weeks
Apr
2
12:50 PM -
Assembly- SA Elections
Apr
2
4:00 PM -
Spark Pitch
Apr
3
8:00 AM -
Advising Weeks
Apr
6
All Day -
Fall Registration Begins
Apr
6
8:00 AM -
Advising Weeks
Apr
6
4:30 PM -
Women’s Ministry Bible Study
Apr
7
8:00 AM -
Advising Weeks
Apr
8
8:00 AM -
Advising Weeks
Apr
8
12:00 PM -
Women at the Well
Apr
9
8:00 AM -
Advising Weeks
Apr
9
All Day -
Art Exhibit for Alumni Weekend
Apr
9
5:00 PM -
Endowment Scholarship Reception
Apr
10
8:00 AM -
Advising Weeks
Apr
10
All Day -
Art Exhibit for Alumni Weekend
Apr
11
All Day -
Alumni Weekend
Apr
11
All Day -
Art Exhibit for Alumni Weekend
Apr
12
All Day -
Art Exhibit for Alumni Weekend
Apr
12
3:00 PM -
University Experience
Apr
13
All Day -
Art Exhibit for Alumni Weekend
Apr
13
8:00 AM -
University Experience
Apr
13
4:30 PM -
Women’s Ministry Bible Study
Apr
14
All Day -
Art Exhibit for Alumni Weekend
Apr
15
All Day -
Art Exhibit for Alumni Weekend
Apr
15
12:00 PM -
Women at the Well
Apr
15
6:00 PM -
What Every Student Should Know About Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds, and ETF's
Apr
16
All Day -
Art Exhibit for Alumni Weekend
Apr
17
All Day -
Art Exhibit for Alumni Weekend
Apr
17
7:30 PM -
Vespers
Apr
18
All Day -
Art Exhibit for Alumni Weekend
Apr
18
5:00 PM -
Refugio (The Refuge)
Apr
18
9:00 PM -
"The Village: An Asian & Pacific Islander Cultural Showcase"
Apr
19
All Day -
Art Exhibit for Alumni Weekend
Apr
20
4:30 PM -
Women’s Ministry Bible Study
Apr
22
12:00 PM -
Women at the Well
Apr
22
5:00 PM -
e-ART-h Day Student Art Gallery
Apr
23
12:50 PM -
Assembly- D.R.A.W. Assembly
Apr
25
6:00 PM -
Spring Fest
Apr
26
6:00 PM -
Chisholm Trail Community Band Spring Concert
Apr
26
6:00 PM -
Spring Fest
Apr
27
4:30 PM -
Women’s Ministry Bible Study
Apr
30
7:00 PM -
Senior Recital Keona Frederick
May
3
6:00 PM -
Senior Recital Kevin Roblero Cruz
May
4
7:30 AM -
Examinations
May
5
7:30 AM -
Examinations
May
5
6:30 PM -
ESL Completion Ceremony
May
6
7:30 AM -
Examinations
May
7
7:00 PM -
Senior Recital Laura Watts
May
8
5:00 PM -
Division of Sciences Academic Recognition Ceremony
May
9
7:00 PM -
Nurses' Pinning
May
10
10:00 AM -
Commencement
May
11
2:00 PM -
Keene ISD Choir Concert
May
16
4:45 PM -
Refugio (The Refuge)
Jun
20
4:45 PM -
Refugio (The Refuge)


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."

