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
Apr
13
All Day -
Art Exhibit for Alumni Weekend
Apr
13
8:00 AM -
University Experience
Apr
13
12:00 PM -
Enactus Finals Pitch
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
19
All Day -
Art Exhibit for Alumni Weekend
Apr
19
7:00 PM -
Senate Fight Knight
Apr
20
4:30 PM -
Women’s Ministry Bible Study
Apr
20
6:00 PM -
Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society Induction Ceremony
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
23
6:30 PM -
Rising Stars | SWAU Talent Show
Apr
24
7:30 PM -
Vespers
Apr
25
5:30 PM -
SWAY
Apr
26
4:00 PM -
Spring Fest
Apr
26
6:00 PM -
Chisholm Trail Community Band Spring Concert
Apr
27
4:30 PM -
Women’s Ministry Bible Study
Apr
28
12:50 PM -
Assembly - QEP
Apr
28
7:00 PM -
Strings Recital
Apr
29
7:00 PM -
Wednesday Knight Worship
Apr
30
7:00 PM -
Senior Recital Keona Frederick
May
1
All Day -
Bookstore end-of-semester returns
May
2
All Day -
Bookstore end-of-semester returns
May
3
All Day -
Bookstore end-of-semester returns
May
3
6:00 PM -
Senior Recital Kevin Roblero Cruz
May
4
All Day -
Bookstore end-of-semester returns
May
4
7:30 AM -
Examinations
May
5
All Day -
Bookstore end-of-semester returns
May
5
7:30 AM -
Examinations
May
5
6:30 PM -
ESL Completion Ceremony
May
6
All Day -
Bookstore end-of-semester returns
May
6
7:30 AM -
Examinations
May
7
All Day -
Bookstore end-of-semester returns
May
7
6:30 PM -
Athletics Banquet
May
7
7:00 PM -
Senior Recital Laura Watts
May
8
All Day -
Bookstore end-of-semester returns
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
13
4:45 PM -
Refugio (The Refuge)
Jul
3
9:00 AM -
4th of July Parade
Jul
18
4:45 PM -
Refugio (The Refuge)
Jul
19
All Day -
STEP Program - Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEM Focus)
Jul
20
All Day -
STEP Program - Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEM Focus)
Jul
21
All Day -
STEP Program - Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEM Focus)
Jul
22
All Day -
STEP Program - Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEM Focus)
Jul
23
All Day -
STEP Program - Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEM Focus)
Jul
24
All Day -
STEP Program - Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEM Focus)
Jul
25
All Day -
STEP Program - Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEM Focus)
Jul
26
All Day -
STEP Program - Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEM Focus)
Jul
27
All Day -
STEP Program - Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEM Focus)
Jul
28
All Day -
STEP Program - Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEM Focus)
Jul
29
All Day -
STEP Program - Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEM Focus)
Jul
30
All Day -
STEP Program - Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEM Focus)
Jul
31
All Day -
STEP Program - Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEM Focus)
Aug
1
All Day -
STEP Program - Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEM Focus)
Aug
2
All Day -
STEP Program - Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEM Focus)
Aug
3
All Day -
STEP Program - Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEM Focus)
Aug
4
All Day -
STEP Program - Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEM Focus)
Aug
5
All Day -
STEP Program - Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEM Focus)
Aug
6
All Day -
STEP Program - Summer Transition Enrichment Program (STEM Focus)


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."

