The Guild Institute in Christian Family Studies
In December 2009, members of the Guild responded to The Ten Pillars, the University’s vision, as outlined by President Robert B. Sloan, Jr., with the creation of The Guild Institute in Christian Family Studies. The Guild Institute serves to strengthen the Christian family through outreach projects involving teaching, research, and publications. The initial endowment gift of $50,000 was presented at the annual Guild Christmas Luncheon in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Houston Baptist College.
Billy Graham delivered the first Religious Emphasis Week address to the students of HBC and the Houston community in October, 1963. His message focused on the importance of the family and the need for an academic institution that would remain steadfast to the mission of Christian higher education. Fifty years later Houston Baptist University can proudly proclaim more than 16,000 graduates.
Through the Institute, scholars, ministers, students, parents, and other policy making and community leaders will come together to support Christian understanding regarding the traditional family. Under the direction of The Guild Professor in Christian Family Studies, instruction will be provided across the campus, to our community, and the world. Whether through a traditional classroom or virtual instruction, interdisciplinary research and educational programs will be developed by Christian scholars to be presented in seminars, training sessions, and lectures to address Christian world view issues related to strengthening the family.
A university is a place where ideas matter. The Institute will be a place where research and teaching will provide the foundation to help change our culture. Whether through popular culture or a lack of correct information and data, family values have been assaulted. It is the University that can respond to the need to make a difference in the world.
The Guild Institute represents the future for the family ... at HBU, in our city and throughout the world. It will be a place where preaching and research will reinforce strong scholarship on campus and in the community. Through The Guild Institute Houston Baptist University will be truly “salt” and “light” to the world.
The Guild Institute in Christian Family Studies was founded with an endowment gift of $50,000 in December 2009.
In December 2010 a gift of $50,000 was made to the Guild Institute in honor of HBU’s 50th Anniversary.
The Guild Institute in Christian Family Studies has hosted several lecture presentations. The inaugural lecture was given by Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse in March 2010. Later in the year by Dr.Voddie Baucham, Pastor at Grace Family Baptist Church, Spring, Texas, spoke. In 2011, HBU students, Guild members and other guests enjoyed two presentations from Mr. Gary Thomas, an international speaker, best-selling author and Writer-in-Residence at Houston's Second Baptist Church.