The Spanish-American Baptist Seminary opened its doors to students on February 13th, 1921.  It did not happen suddenly as an inspiration of the moment.  It was the result of years of praying and planning.  The General Missionary among the Mexicans, the Rev. Edwin R. Brown, following the Rev. and Mrs. L.E. Troyer in their work among the Mexicans in the Southwest, saw Churches springing up in many places and no men competent to lead them as Pastors. The City Mission Society and the State Convention also saw the great need for trained leaders and the Home Mission Society was convinced that here was a great and growing Home Mission field, so they agreed to sponsor the new enterprise.  The Rev. John F. Detweiler was selected by the Home Mission Society to head up the new school and the wisdom of this appointment was soon apparent.  He came with a background of eight years of Missionary and Educational work in Spanish speaking countries.  Immediately he began to lay strong foundations for the new Seminary and proved to be admirably fitted for his task both scholastically and in administrative work.  (Click on History of SABS for more information)
 

Having been led by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God and this organization, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body of Christ.  We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to promote this organization in its prosperity and spirituality, to sustain its worship, and to cheerfully and regularly to the support of its Ministry.  We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will, as soon as possible, unite with God and His kingdom.
 
As the people of God, the body of Christ, and the fellowship of the Spirit, we seek to be a loving family under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, brought together joyfully for worship, prayer, nurture, and instruction from the complete Bible, and sent out as ambassadors to share, in word and action, the Good News of forgiveness, wholeness, hope, and reconciliation through faith in Jesus Christ.
 
This organization receives the Scriptures as its authority in all matters of faith and practice.  Our understanding of Christian truth is in essential accord with the belief of Baptist Churches, holding to no statement of creed.
 
It is the desire of this organization to affiliate and cooperate with the local, state, and national organizations of the American Baptist Churches of the U.S.A.  We also resolve to cooperate with the large Body of Christ wherever possible within the framework of our Baptist beliefs.