Baxter's Mission

"Baxter's primary mission has been to recruit, train and graduate highly-trained gospel preachers to serve Latin American countries."

Baxter's History

Baxter Institute is a unique work among the churches of Christ. Originally begun in Mexico in 1964, the Institute moved to its present campus in Tegucigalpa, Honduras in 1978. Centrally located in the Spanish-speaking countries of the Americas, Baxter's primary mission has been to recruit, train and graduate highly-trained gospel preachers to serve Latin American countries. The work has grown in scope and impact to include much of South America and most of the Caribbean countries as well. Baxter has steadily expanded in size, impact and geography. Located in Tegucigalpa, the capital city of Honduras, Baxter's mission extends far beyond the borders of this ideal host country. Honduras's central location within Central America, coupled with Tegucigalpa's relatively modern facilities and overall good transportation to and from other central and south American locations, makes the campus' location a strategically valuable asset for spreading the gospel.

Baxter's Campus

Baxter's Campus is shaped to fit the natural terrain.  It is located in one of the many small canyons that dot Tegicugalpa's naturally mountainous terrain. A capital city of ever-changing elevation, most of the construction here is as much vertical as it is horizontal. The campus is located on the southwest side of Tegucigalpa, only a short drive from the city's Toncontin International Airport. Arriving at a traditional looking Honduran entrance gate, the Institute's name is wrought overhead in iron. It is a non-descript entrance to the campus that lies within. At first glance, what would seem to be difficult and useless terrain, the buildings form a stunning and unusual relationship with the canyon terrain they are built upon. Rather than reshaping terrain to fit the facilities, the facilities have been shaped to fit the natural terrain. One is immediately taken by what seems to be a totally natural relationship between land and building. It is a rare and exciting balance that has been achieved between terrain and function.

The campus is composed of about a dozen major and minor facilities. Traveling from the main gate down a palm-lined gravel road, one passes by two older adobe buildings that have the distinction of being the first buildings to house students and classes. These buildings remain much the same as they have since the land was purchased many years ago. One is primarily used for storage now but the other was renovated in 2004 and now contains several offices and houses the C.E.L.O program. Passing under a stone archway, one arrives on an upper patio that overlooks a canyon lush in banana, eucalyptus, and other native plants.

The main campus building towers above your head to the left and fits so well with its surroundings that you feel as though it has been there forever. The construction materials are indigenous washed pink limestone and native mahogany. The stone, cut from a family-owned rock quarry located only a few miles away, outlines the facility and gives a feeling of oneness with the terrain. Stone from this site has been cut for generations and used in the construction of many important buildings in this area. The creative and practical mixture of inside and outside space gives a feeling of extreme openness. And yet, even when on outside walkways, one seems always to be protected from tropical heat and rains.

The wide-open passageways are all on the outside, giving the feeling that you are following paths along the canyon rather than passages in the building. The feeling is more like a Honduran villa than an educational institution. The main building occupies five levels, ranging from the top where the chapel overlooks the entire campus, to the space located beneath the cafeteria filled with bunk beds as well as storage space. You soon realize that form follows function. As you get a cool drink in the large two-level cafeteria, you see that it is located conveniently low on campus where it's accessed easily from dorms, administration offices and classrooms. Stopping to check out the library located below the chapel on the third level, you become aware of a quiet, naturally cool study space that overlook the beauty of the campus framed in giant pine trees is a perfect place to study.

Only a single flight of stairs upwards from the cafeteria or one flight downwards from the library and you are in the middle of a series of open classrooms that are large, breezy and bright. Taking advantage of natural light and breezes, each classroom can be entered or exited from either side. As classes change each hour, student flow is efficient and free flowing.

Follow the stairs down from the cafeteria and you cross over a concrete bridge connecting the two sides of the canyon that marks the middle of the campus. Directly in front of you is another stone and mahogany structure that follows the opposite mountainside from the main campus. Constructed with a large open courtyard at its enter, this secure building displays a secure stone and wrought iron face on the outside; but once inside, it has an open courtyard. It is primarily home to the unmarried male students, however, also contains facilities to house guests. Spaces for bathrooms, laundry, study and social gatherings are distributed logically throughout. The same open-access ways and breezy rooms carry the theme of the main campus.

Follow the bridge from the main campus toward the apex of the canyon and you will come to a multi-family facility designed specifically for married students. These fully-equipped, furnished family units include two bedrooms, kitchen, living room and bathroom. Besides the family units, space is provided for daycare so mothers and fathers can attend regular classes while their children are cared for on campus. The student wives are responsible for all the planning, child care, teaching, cleaning, etc. in this "guarderia". This self-sufficient community of students and families provide an efficient and safe environment for both, as well as a family community support system. It is not uncommon to see family units together at mealtime and during special campus times. Daily devotionals often include children whose parents are attending Baxter. Likewise, this facility allows husband and wife to prepare for service together. Both husband and wife attend mandatory classes.