Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Specialties

Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) 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

Established in 1927.

Three Bible schools were brought together to form what would later become SAGU. Southwestern Bible School, was established at Enid, Oklahoma in 1927 under the leadership of the Reverend P. C. Nelson. The second, Shield of Faith Bible Institute, was founded in Amarillo, Texas, in 1931 under the direction of the Reverend Guy Shields. The third, which was operated as Southern Bible College in connection with the Richey Evangelistic Temple, began at Goose Creek, Texas in 1931.

Beginning in the early nineties, Southwestern experienced phenomenal enrollment increases. From 596 students in the fall of 1991, enrollment grew to 1492 students in 1997. Along with the enrollment increase, opportunities to expand the curriculum and programs developed. In December 1994, the Board of Regents unanimously approved the name change to Southwestern Assemblies of God University to more accurately reflect its purpose and mission as a Bible university of theological and professional studies.