About SAGU

Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a Bible-based institution for theological and professional studies. It is rooted in the great commission of Jesus Christ to “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation”’ and to “make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Mark 16:15a; Matthew 28:19, 20), which is the primary emphasis of Southwestern’s parent body, the General Council of the Assemblies of God.

The purpose of Southwestern Assemblies of God University is to prepare undergraduate and graduate students spiritually, academically, professionally, and cross culturally so as to successfully fill evangelistic, missionary and church ministry roles and to provide quality educational and professional Christian service wherever needed throughout the world.

History

Three Bible schools – Southwestern Bible School in Enid, Oklahoma; Shield of Faith in Amarillo, Texas; and Southern Bible School in Goose Creek, Texas – came together to form Southwestern Bible Institute. In 1943, the combined institute moved to its present facilities in Waxahachie, Texas.

In 1954, Southwestern Bible Institute became a regional school. At that time seven districts of the Assemblies of God— Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Texas, Oklahoma, South Texas and West Texas—owned and operated the school. The Rocky Mountain District, composed of Colorado and Utah, was admitted to the Region in 1969 and the Mississippi District in 1979. In 1980, the Rocky Mountain District voted to withdraw from the Southwestern Region and to remain neutral.

A proposal to change the name of Southwestern was ratified by all seven Districts, and the name became Southwestern Assemblies of God College. The upper two years of the college and Junior College were briefly divided, but were reunited in 1987. In 1984 the School of Distance Education was established.

In December 1994, the Board of Regents unanimously approved the name change to Southwestern Assemblies of God University. In this same meeting, the Board authorized the development of the Thomas F. Harrison School of Graduate Studies to provide master’s degree programs. In 2004, the University restructured its academic organization to recognize two colleges under the University umbrella: the College of Bible and Church Ministries, and the College of Arts and Professions.