January 7, 2002

Timetable of HBTS history

1947
___Mexican Baptist Bible Institute established by San Antonio Baptist Association to provide training for Spanish-speaking pastors and Christian workers. First classes conducted at Palm Heights Baptist Church.

1949
___C.G. Carter elected president and core curriculum established.

1960
___H.B. Ramsour became the school's second president. He led the school to secure its current property, visible from I-35 in South San Antonio.

1962
___As the enrollment and influence of the school grew, San Antonio Association asked the Baptist General Convention of Texas to take responsibility for its operation. The convention voted in annual session to do so.

1964
___The first of seven buildings were constructed on the site. The buildings were funded by gifts from San Antonio Baptist churches, Texas Baptists, the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas missions and Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Rollins.

1976
___Upon Ramsour's retirement, the presidency passed to Daniel Rivera. Under his leadership, the school's endowment grew from $77,722 to nearly $1 million and the eighth building was constructed on campus.

1981
___The BGCT approved a merger between the Mexican Baptist Bible Institute and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, opening a six-year window during which the school could offer accredited associate degree programs. The school at this point changed its name to Hispanic Baptist Theological Seminary.

1988
___The merger relationship with Southwestern Seminary was terminated, and ownership of the San Antonio school reverted to the BGCT. Leobardo Estrada was named interim president. Lacking independent accreditation, the seminary reverted to offering certificates rather than degrees.

1989
___Joshua Grijalva became the fourth president, serving until his retirement in 1993.

1993
___Omar Pachecano was named the school's fifth president, leading a period during which the seminary graduated more students than at any time in its history.

1997
___President Pachecano began the process of seeking accreditation with the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges. In cooperation with the BGCT's State Missions Commission, the seminary established its own board of trustees, elected by the convention.

1999
___After an interim presidency by Charles Lee Williamson, the seminary's board named Albert Reyes president. In compliance with state legislation, the seminary changed its name to Hispanic Baptist Theological School.

2000
___The Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges granted candidate status to HBTS, marking progress toward accreditation.

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