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Abraham Jaquez — Buckner executive director of North Texas ministries, was named the next president and chief executive officer of Baptist University of the Américas.

Jaquez, 52, begins work as the eighth president in the 70-year history of BUA Aug. 21 after his election by the school’s board of trustees July 20.

He succeeds Réne Maciel, who left the university to become community life pastor at First Woodway Baptist Church in Waco. Moisés Rodriguez, executive vice president at BUA since 2013, has served as the school’s acting president since last October.

“I am so grateful to the trustees of BUA for placing their trust and confidence in me to lead this great school,” Jaquez said. “BUA stands at a cross-cultural crossroads as a unique Christian university training servant leaders for ministry.”

Jaquez has been executive director for Buckner Children and Family Services in Dallas since 2011. At Buckner, he oversaw all facility business operations and human resources for the ministries in North Texas and had oversight of the agency’s Dallas campus. 

He previously served 20 years as a Baptist Student Ministry director with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. 

Jaquez holds a doctor of education degree in educational leadership from Dallas Baptist University, a master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a bachelor of arts degree in business administration and marketing from West Texas State University.

“I truly believe God has brought all of my past educational and professional experiences together for this moment,” Jaquez said. “BUA is poised to move forward in a strong way and I’m thrilled to be part of that as I lead this wonderful group of professors, administrators and students.”

Van Christian, chair of the BUA board, noted the presidential search committee unanimously recommended Jaquez to the trustees.

“The committee is absolutely convinced that Dr. Jaquez is God’s leader for BUA at this point in our history,” said Christian, pastor of First Baptist Church in Comanche. “We are excited about the talents and leadership qualities that Dr. Jaquez brings to BUA. We believe he is poised to lead the university into the next great era of success.” 

Jaquez and his wife, Kelly, have two children, Faith, 14, and Gabriel, 12.

BUA, a BGCT-affiliated school at 7838 Barlite Blvd. in San Antonio, trains about 300 students from more than 20 countries, offering five bachelor’s degrees, as well as an associate’s degree in cross-cultural studies.

Photo: Abraham Jaquez with his wife, Kelly, and their children, Faith and Gabriel. (Photo courtesy of BUA)

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