ETBU announces new scholarship for children of BGCT pastors

Editor’s note: The article has been updated to include a complete listing of Texas Baptists partner institutions providing scholarship funding for BGCT ministers' children and spouses. 

East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) is now offering a Promise Scholarship for children of Texas Baptists senior pastors. 

The scholarship provides a tuition-only award of up to $20,000 per year to up to 50 eligible high school seniors graduating this spring. The scholarship covers up to eight semesters or 120 credit hours of tuition. Recipients must enroll at ETBU beginning in the fall 2025 semester. 

ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn said the Promise Scholarship is a way to honor “the sacrificial leadership of Texas Baptists senior pastors.” 

Eligible recipients must qualify by enrolling full-time, living on-campus, participating in at least one approved student organization, completing 12 hours of community service per semester through the Great Commission Center and serving as an ETBU ambassador. 

Gabriel Cortés, director of Hispanic Education, Theological Education and Institutional Engagement at Texas Baptists, encouraged senior pastors with a graduating senior to apply for the Promise Scholarship because it is a chance to reduce the tuition costs of a Christ-centered education that will “equip them for future leadership in their church and community.” 

“Texas Baptist universities are doing a commendable job assisting BGCT pastoral families. If you're a Texas Baptists senior pastor with a graduating senior at home, encourage your student to apply for the Promise Scholarship,” said Cortés. “The most effective way to cultivate the next generation of Texas Baptist leaders is through our partner higher education institutions.”

Baylor University, Baptist University of the Américas (BUA), Dallas Baptist University (DBU), Hardin-Simmons University (HSU), Houston Christian University, Howard Payne University (HPU), University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) and Wayland Baptist University (WBU) also offer scholarships to support BGCT ministers’ children and spouses. 

Additionally, Texas Baptists offers ten $2,500/year scholarships to children of BGCT ministers at each of the seven Texas Baptists-affiliated universities for a total of $175,000: BUA, DBU, ETBU, HSU, HPU, UMHB and WBU. For more information, visit txb.org/theologicaleducation. 

To learn more about the ETBU Promise Scholarship or to apply, visit etbu.edu/BGCTPromise.