Daniel J. Rivera, former president of the Mexican Baptist Bible Institute and Hispanic Baptist Theological Seminary and a pioneering leader in Hispanic Baptist theological education, died July 27 at his home in New Braunfels. He was 86. Born Dec. 26, 1939, in Lawton, Okla., Rivera graduated from Plainview High School before attending Wayland Baptist University and later Eastern New Mexico University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish with minors in French and psychology. He served in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1964 as an assistant chaplain, including service in Nuremberg, Germany. In 1963, he married Gloria Chavez. The couple had two daughters, Dina and Della. Rivera completed graduate studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary before earning a doctorate in education from the University of Texas at Austin. In 1980, he became the fourth president of the Mexican Baptist Bible Institute and the first Hispanic president of the Hispanic Baptist Theological Seminary in San Antonio, institutions now known as Baptist University of the Américas. He served as president for 12 years, helping shape Hispanic theological education and preparing generations of Hispanic pastors and ministry leaders for service in Baptist churches. Following his tenure at the seminary, Rivera served as vice chancellor of Texas State Technical College in Waco, president of Texas State Technical College in McAllen, president of Valley Baptist International Academy in Harlingen, and director of the New Braunfels center for Howard Payne University. Throughout his career, Rivera was recognized as a pioneering advocate for Hispanic higher education and theological education. His leadership influenced Texas Baptists and Baptist life nationally through his commitment to developing Christian leaders and expanding educational opportunities for Hispanic students. He is survived by his daughters, Dina Dreessen and her husband, Paul, and Della Stevens and her husband, Will; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Jim Rivera, Ruth Howard, and Norah Rhodes. A celebration of life will be held Aug. 4 at Oakwood Church in New Braunfels. Memorial gifts may be made to the Kids Club ministry of New Braunfels Christian Ministries.
