Jordan Villanueva serves as an Instructor of Christian Studies and Assistant to the President for Hispanic Relations at Howard Payne University. With five years of teaching experience, Villanueva brings a strong background in theology, church history, ministry, Baptist studies, and pastoral leadership to his work with students in the School of Christian Studies.
Villanueva teaches courses including History of Christianity, Theological Reflection, Baptist Identity, Introduction to Christian Apologetics, Christian Doctrines, Spiritual Formation, Theology & Culture, and Old and New Testament. While he enjoys anything historical, Baptist Identity is one of his favorite courses because it allows students to examine how tradition, theology, and history continue to shape the life of the Church today.
One of the aspects Villanueva values most about teaching at HPU is seeing students recognize the practical significance of theology and history in their ministries, callings, and everyday lives. He especially appreciates the moments when students realize that the conversations of church history are not distant or disconnected from the present. For him, learning becomes formative when students begin to see themselves as part of a living Christian tradition rather than as isolated individuals.
Villanueva also values the relationships that develop outside the classroom. Conversations after class or over coffee give him opportunities to walk alongside students as they process questions about theology, ministry, calling, and life. He sees these interactions as an important part of mentoring students and helping them become the people God has called them to be.
His passion for Scripture, church history, and historical theology comes from the conviction that the Church did not begin with the present generation and will not end with it. By studying how Christians across cultures and centuries have wrestled with Scripture and theology, Villanueva believes students can develop greater theological depth and pastoral discernment. His goal is to help students love God more fully with their minds, hearts, and hands.
Villanueva earned a bachelor’s degree in Youth Ministry and Spanish from Howard Payne University in 2013 and a Master of Divinity with a focus in Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2019. He is also completing a Ph.D. in Church History and Historical Theology with an emphasis in Baptist Studies, with anticipated graduation in December 2026.
His writing has appeared in The Baptist Standard, The Pastor’s Common, and The Baptist Review, addressing topics in theology, ministry, Baptist identity, Scripture, and church life.
Outside of HPU, Villanueva serves as Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church of Blanket. He also enjoys spending time with his family, reading, running, and occasionally returning to the soccer field. He has served in several Baptist leadership roles and co-founded The Pastor’s Common, a network for young pastors and ministry leaders. He also coordinates the annual Currie-Strickland Lectures on Ethics & Theology.
Villanueva’s office is located in FLLC 214. Through teaching, mentoring, writing, pastoral ministry, and denominational service, he seeks to help students develop deeper faith, stronger theological understanding, and a clearer sense of calling.
