Howard Payne University recently digitized the sermons, lectures and personal letters of the late Dr. José Rivas, former HPU professor.

“In digitizing Dr. Rivas’ papers, Howard Payne is preserving the rich history and heritage that has made HPU special over the years,” said Jordan Villanueva, instructor of Christian studies and assistant to the president for Hispanic relations at HPU. “HPU is not only honoring Dr. Rivas as a remarkable professor and influential pastor, but is also honoring the history and heritage of the Hispanic community. I want to express my appreciation to Debby Dill and Doris Goacher for all their work in preserving these documents.” 

Dr. Rivas was born in 1915 in Mexico City. He came to faith in Christ at Primera Iglesia Bautista de la Ciudad de México in 1930 and was baptized there a year later. Sensing a call to ministry, he enrolled in the Baptist seminary in Saltillo, Mexico in 1933. When the seminary relocated to Texas during the Mexican Revolution, Dr. Rivas continued his studies and graduated in 1937.

After briefly enrolling at Baylor University, Dr. Rivas returned to Mexico to pastor Primera Iglesia Bautista in Mixcoac in 1938. That same year, he was elected secretary of the National Baptist Convention of Mexico. In 1944, he joined the faculty of his alma mater, which by then had relocated to El Paso. Two years later, when the seminary returned to Mexico, Dr. Thomas Taylor, Howard Payne College (HPC) president, approached Dr. Rivas about teaching at HPC. Instead, Dr. Rivas chose to pastor Primera Iglesia Bautista in El Paso.

In 1954, Dr. Taylor again contacted Dr. Rivas about teaching at HPC. At the time, he declined and accepted the call to pastor a church in Houston. However, a year later, he agreed to begin teaching at HPC. He joined the faculty in 1955 as a Spanish professor while also pursuing further studies. Dr. Rivas graduated from HPC in 1957 and later from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, earning his master’s in 1960 and his doctorate in 1966. While serving as both student and professor, Dr. Rivas pastored Primera Iglesia Bautista of Coleman and Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana in Brownwood. He also served as president of the Mexican Baptist Convention of Texas (now the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas) from 1956-1958.

Renowned as one of the foremost Hispanic professors of New Testament and Greek of his time, Dr. Rivas traveled widely, speaking to churches and conventions across the world. Among his many students was Dr. Gary Gramling ’81, professor of Christian studies and director of Christian studies graduate programs at HPU. Notably, Dr. Rivas was the first of only two professors in Howard Payne’s history to receive the prestigious Piper Professor Award for teaching excellence. From 1955 to 1979, Dr. Rivas faithfully educated generations of students at Howard Payne College, leaving a legacy of scholarship, leadership and devotion to Christ’s church.

Dr. Rivas poured his life into teaching and mentoring a whole generation of Hispanic students. He was influential in encouraging many Hispanic students to pursue higher education who went on to become ministers and lay leaders in churches around the world. His influence was so significant that Howard Payne became lovingly known as “Hispanic People University.” The Dr. José Rivas Distinguished Service Award was established at HPU to recognize his impact and honor Hispanic leaders.

​”The digitization of my father’s life’s work and writing is a profound honor,” said Grace (Rivas) Stearnes ’67, Dr. Rivas’ daughter. “Knowing these resources will be made available to the students of Howard Payne University – not just to read, but to use as a vital tool to further their education – is incredibly moving. He would be deeply gratified to know his teaching endures, and his legacy continues to shape new generations.”

Dr. Rivas’ digitally archived papers are available at the Walker Memorial Library upon request.

For more information about HPU, please visit www.hputx.edu.