Gabriel Cortés has rejoined the Baptist General Convention of Texas as the new director of Hispanic education within the convention’s theological education ministry. Cortés transitioned to the role from his prior position as chief of staff at Baptist University of the Americas. He assumed the new position on July 8.
“We want [Hispanic students] to grow and achieve their potential and at the same time help them get more acquainted with Texas Baptists, who we are, what we do, so that they can, in turn, stay connected and serve in their churches and their communities,” Cortés said. “So it’s a strong focus on preparing ministers, preparing Hispanic leaders and developing Hispanic leadership in the state amongst us.”
Cortés previously served as Hispanic ministry strategist at Texas Baptists from 2008 to 2018 and as part-time Hispanic education initiative director in 2014.
“I had done [this job] at some level before and really enjoyed just seeing students discover their purpose and seeing them reach, or starting to reach, the potential for which God created them. That’s close to my heart,” Cortés said.
Cortés earned a bachelor of science in airway science management from Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, where he was born and raised. He earned a master of divinity in missions and evangelism from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctor of ministry in missional leadership from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
‘Visionary leader,’ ‘servant heart’
“I am excited to welcome Dr. Gabriel Cortés to Texas Baptists as director of Hispanic Education,” said Stephen Stookey, director of theological education. “Dr. Cortés is a visionary leader with a servant heart. I look forward to working with him and our ministry partners in accomplishing the goals of the Hispanic education initiative and the GC2 vision of Texas Baptists.”
Texas Baptists Executive Director Julio Guarneri announced the hiring of a full-time HEI director during his May address to the Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Board. There, Guarneri noted the position would fall under the convention’s theological education ministry and relate to the Board’s existing HEI Council.
Learn more about and support the HEI at txb.org/hei.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Jessica King and originally published by the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
