Southwestern_Assemblies_of_God_University

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) is an undergraduate and graduate institution of higher learning located in Waxahachie, Texas, USA. It is regionally-accredited with the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and officially endorsed by the Assemblies of God. It exists primarily to educate and prepare students for vocational ministry, but also has programs in a number of other fields.

History

Southwestern Assemblies of God University began life as three separate Bible schools. The first, founded by Reverend P.C. Nelson in 1927, was called Southwestern Bible School. It was located in Enid, Oklahoma. The second, founded by Reverend Guy Shields in 1931, was called Shield of Faith Bible School. It was located in Amarillo, Texas. The third, founded by Reverend J.T. Little in 1931, was called Southern Bible College. It was originally located in Goose Creek, Texas (now Baytown, Texas), but relocated in 1933 to Houston, Texas.

Shield of Faith moved its Bible school to Fort Worth, Texas in 1935. Southern Bible College merged with Shield of Faith in 1940 to create South Central Bible Institute when the school came under the leadership of the North Texas District Council of the Assemblies of God. In 1941, Southwestern Bible School merged with South Central Bible Institute to create Southwestern Bible Institute. In 1943, the institute moved to its present location in Waxahachie, Texas, taking over the former campus of Trinity University (Texas), which had moved to San Antonio, Texas.

Shortly after relocating, the school added a junior college curriculum. The institute later became known as Southwestern Assemblies of God College and added two more years to the curriculum. In 1994, the name of the college was changed to Southwestern Assemblies of God University.

The university is accredited to award the master's, bachelor's, and associate's degrees.

Sports

Southwestern is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the National Christian College Athletic Association. It currently fields teams in Baseball, Basketball (men and women's), Football, Soccer (men and women's), and Volleyball (women's). There is a cheerleading squad. The school colors are purple and gold. The school mascot is the lion.