Houston Baptist University changes name to Houston Christian University

Houston Baptist University has changed its name to Houston Christian University as it launches a campaign to more than double its student enrollment. President Robert B. Sloan announced the renaming Wednesday during an open forum with faculty, staff, past and present trustees, and students. “Houston Christian University more accurately epitomizes our student body and reflects the faculty, staff, alumni, and community we serve,” Sloan said. “We are committed to being a distinctively Christian university that welcomes all Christians to benefit from our excellent academic programs. This historic university appeals to people all across the spectrum of Christian denominational life, and this new name clarifies who we are.”

The shift coincides with the university’s effort to grow its residential campus to 4,200 students and its online campus to 5,800 students. Spring 2021 combined enrollment was 3,801, according to university data. This is the second name change for the private university, located in Sharpstown. The institution was created in 1960 as Houston Baptist College and became Houston Baptist University in 1973. Sloan said the university has considered a new name multiple times over the past 16 years and arrived at Houston Christian after two years of consideration. The school’s board of trustees approved the switch May 17. The university’s core commitments remain the same, Sloan said. The mission statement is “to provide a learning experience that instills in students a passion for academic, spiritual and professional excellence as a result of our central confession, ‘Jesus Christ is Lord.’” “By changing to Houston Christian University, we are striving to be even clearer about our convictions,” he said. “We are committed to Jesus Christ. We are committed to the scriptures. We are committed to the gospel and its power to draw all people to Christ. And we are committed to being ‘salt and light’ in the world.”