Vision
To multiply and strengthen Kingdom leaders for ministry to the Jewish people and to significantly contribute to the scholarship of Jewish studies.
Why Pasche?
Albert and Dorothy Pasche (PASH-ee) were members of First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas. They were supporters of the then Criswell Bible Institute, including archaeological excavation in Israel. Dorothy was graduated from the Criswell Bible Institute. The Pasches took students into their home and tried to help them every way they could.
Why at Criswell College?
- It Expresses Dr. Criswell’s Legacy.
An institute designed to prepare men and women for Jewish ministry expresses Dr. Criswell’s legacy. It has been said that Dr. Criswell did not just have an interest in Jewish ministry, he had a passion for it.
Dr. Criswell's lengthy ministry as pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas was characterized by a deep love for Israel and the Jewish people. In addition to other awards and honors, in 1979, he was awarded the Israeli Humanitarian Award and in 1988 he received the Tree of Life Award from the Jewish National Fund. This last award was granted at a dinner to which greetings were extended by the Mayor of Dallas, the Governor of Texas, and the Israeli Consul General. On one occasion, Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir even made an appearance at a worship service at the church. Every year, Dr. Criswell hosted a “Jewish Fellowship Dinner” to which members were encouraged to invite their Jewish friends. It is this love for Israel and our Jewish friends that animates the Pasche Institute.
- It Incarnates the Mission Statement and Core Values of Criswell College.
It is founded on a commitment to the inerrancy and sufficiency of Scripture and to a premillennial faith. Criswell College has more graduates serving as Southern Baptist missionaries in Israel than any other school.
If we, as Christians, are to impact our world, we must engage the culture. If we are to engage the culture, we must reach those who shape the culture. If we are to reach those who shape the culture, we must have an interest in Jewish people.
- The Criswell College Is Positioned for Both Local
and Global Impact.
There are upwards of 70,000 Jewish people living in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and there are around 45,000 in the Houston area, as well as other cities in Texas. This not only brings the mission field to us, but it creates a great opportunity for students to gain practical experience in ministering to the Jewish people while they are getting their academic education. The College also organizes mission trips to New York City and Israel.
- It is a Unique Opportunity.
The Pasche Institute of Jewish Studies was the first to offer an accredited conservative, evangelical graduate-level program in North America.
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