April 25, 2025
East Texas Baptist University is expanding its support of local churches and the families who lead them through a new initiative: the ETBU Promise Scholarship for Children of Texas Baptists/Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) Senior Pastors. This scholarship provides a tuition-only award of up to $20,000 per year, totaling $80,000 over four years, to help the children of senior pastors pursue Christ-centered higher education at ETBU.
As part of the University's mission to equip servant leaders, the ETBU Promise Scholarship offers up to 50 awards to eligible high school seniors graduating in Spring 2025. This scholarship covers tuition for up to eight semesters (or 120 credit hours), and recipients must enroll at ETBU beginning Fall 2025.
"At ETBU, we are called to invest in those who faithfully serve the Lord and His Church," ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn said. "The ETBU Promise Scholarship is our way of honoring the sacrificial leadership of Texas Baptists senior pastors by providing their children the opportunity to pursue a Christ-centered education here in East Texas. We believe in equipping the next generation to lead with faith, knowledge grounded in truth, and a heart for service wherever God calls them."
The ETBU Promise Scholarship is more than financial support; it's a partnership with Texas Baptists that will prepare future leaders for service in their churches and communities. In addition to maintaining a 3.2 GPA, students must enroll full-time and live in on-campus housing, participate in at least one approved student organization, complete 12 hours of community service per semester through the Great Commission Center, and serve as an ETBU ambassador on campus and beyond.
ETBU is dedicated to biblical faith, academic scholarship, and servant leadership. The ETBU Promise Scholarship for Children of Texas Baptists (BGCT) Senior Pastors ensures that the children of those faithfully serving Texas Baptists churches have access to a transformative Christian education.
Eligible students must be dependents of currently serving Texas Baptists (BGCT) senior pastors, meet ETBU's admissions requirements, and submit the official scholarship application.
To learn more or to apply, visit www.etbu.edu/BGCTPromise or contact the Office of Admissions at (903) 923-2000 or admissions@etbu.edu.