The Robert Cortes Sr. papers contain correspondence and sermons related to his work as a Baptist pastor in Texas and Mexico in the 1970s and 1980s. These papers document the life and ministry of Robert Cortes Sr. as a Baptist pastor throughout Texas and Mexico.
The Robert Cortes Sr. papers contain correspondence and sermons related to his work as a Baptist pastor in Texas and Mexico in the 1970s and 1980s. These papers document the life and ministry of Robert Cortes Sr. as a Baptist pastor throughout Texas and Mexico.
Biography of Robert Cortes Sr. :
Biography of Robert Cortes Sr. :
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Robert Cortes Sr. (1931-2015) was born in Monterrey, Mexico, and grew up in Mexico. He married Cary Cortes and became an accountant. In 1956, the Cortes family moved to Tennessee so that they could study for the ministry at Tennessee Temple College. After graduation, Cortes was ordained pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista de Belton, Texas. He received a graduate degree in religion from Baylor University, and afterwards served as pastor of various congregations in Odern, Edroy, and Refugio. In 1969, the Cortes family moved back to Monterrey as missionaries. Cortes planted and pastored churches throughout Medico for the next ten years, in addition to teaching elementary school. He also ran an international radio ministry for thirty-five years and wrote a newspaper column for eight years. In 1978, Cortes moved to Houston and ran a chaplaincy program at Texas Medical Center and other area hospitals. Robert Cortes Sr. passed away in 2015. |
Additional excerpt from the Baptist Standard:
…Non-Christians also felt Robert Cortes’ aura of peace and faith. His bright smile drew many to him. Roberto’s life began in Monterrey, Mexico. He grew up in a Christian home, attended school, became a successful accountant, and married. But God’s call changed everything. In 1956, Roberto and his wife Cary emigrated to the United States so he could prepare for ministry. They both studied at Tennessee Temple College. In Chattanooga, he also served as an associate pastor.
Upon graduation, the Cortes family moved to Texas where Robert became the full-time minister of Primera Iglesia Bautista de Belton which ordained him. Seeking additional study, he earned an MA in religion at Baylor. He pastored Hispanic congregations in Odem, Edroy and Refugio, and worked with Elmin Howell to involve his churches in Texas Baptist’s River Ministry.
In 1969, God called Robert and the Cortes family back to Monterrey to be missionaries and pastor Primera Iglesia Bautista and Iglesia Bautista Berea. He planted churches throughout Mexico and for almost a decade also taught elementary school. He further extended God’s reach through an international radio ministry that continued for 35 years. For eight years, he wrote “Lo que la Biblia ensena” or “What the Bible teaches” for El Norte, a newspaper widely read in Mexico and Spain.
God uprooted Pastor Cortes again in 1978. The Home Mission Board asked him to begin a chaplaincy program for international patients at Texas Medical Center. He served as senior chaplain at MD Anderson, Hermann, and Methodist Hospitals. In retirement, Chaplain Cortes’ witness continued as he turned every conversation naturally to Christ. When he died, his two sons and daughter streamed the memorial service to his churches in Mexico at their request.
Robert Cortes, Sr., lived the difference, leaving legacies of faith and faithfulness. He personified Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
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Robert Cortes Sr. (1931-2015) was born in Monterrey, Mexico, and grew up in Mexico. He married Cary Cortes and became an accountant. In 1956, the Cortes family moved to Tennessee so that they could study for the ministry at Tennessee Temple College. After graduation, Cortes was ordained pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista de Belton, Texas. He received a graduate degree in religion from Baylor University, and afterwards served as pastor of various congregations in Odern, Edroy, and Refugio. In 1969, the Cortes family moved back to Monterrey as missionaries. Cortes planted and pastored churches throughout Medico for the next ten years, in addition to teaching elementary school. He also ran an international radio ministry for thirty-five years and wrote a newspaper column for eight years. In 1978, Cortes moved to Houston and ran a chaplaincy program at Texas Medical Center and other area hospitals. Robert Cortes Sr. passed away in 2015. |
Additional excerpt from the Baptist Standard:
…Non-Christians also felt Robert Cortes’ aura of peace and faith. His bright smile drew many to him. Roberto’s life began in Monterrey, Mexico. He grew up in a Christian home, attended school, became a successful accountant, and married. But God’s call changed everything. In 1956, Roberto and his wife Cary emigrated to the United States so he could prepare for ministry. They both studied at Tennessee Temple College. In Chattanooga, he also served as an associate pastor.
Upon graduation, the Cortes family moved to Texas where Robert became the full-time minister of Primera Iglesia Bautista de Belton which ordained him. Seeking additional study, he earned an MA in religion at Baylor. He pastored Hispanic congregations in Odem, Edroy and Refugio, and worked with Elmin Howell to involve his churches in Texas Baptist’s River Ministry.
In 1969, God called Robert and the Cortes family back to Monterrey to be missionaries and pastor Primera Iglesia Bautista and Iglesia Bautista Berea. He planted churches throughout Mexico and for almost a decade also taught elementary school. He further extended God’s reach through an international radio ministry that continued for 35 years. For eight years, he wrote “Lo que la Biblia ensena” or “What the Bible teaches” for El Norte, a newspaper widely read in Mexico and Spain.
God uprooted Pastor Cortes again in 1978. The Home Mission Board asked him to begin a chaplaincy program for international patients at Texas Medical Center. He served as senior chaplain at MD Anderson, Hermann, and Methodist Hospitals. In retirement, Chaplain Cortes’ witness continued as he turned every conversation naturally to Christ. When he died, his two sons and daughter streamed the memorial service to his churches in Mexico at their request.
Robert Cortes, Sr., lived the difference, leaving legacies of faith and faithfulness. He personified Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
User Notes :
User Notes :
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Comments, Questions, or Concerns?
Please email digitalcollectionsinfo@baylor.edu with any comments, questions, or concerns about this collection. Please include the URL to the specific page or item when emailing.
Using This Resource In Your Research?
For access to high-resolution images for the purposes of scholarly research, please email digitalcollectionsinfo@baylor.edu.
Items in this collection may not be reproduced for commercial use without prior written consent from Baylor University, The Texas Collection, Waco, Texas. Please email digitalcollectionsinfo@baylor.edu to make such a request.
Restricted Items
Items may have restricted access due to copyright reasons. Items with the following message - "You may need to log in to continue. Access the full asset and its details" - are restriced to public view. For research related access please email digitalcollectionsinfo@baylor.edu.
Activity Note
This collection is considered an active collection. Items will be added periodically as they are acquired by Baylor University and processed through the Digitization and Digital Collection Preservation Services group.
Historical Context Note
The Baylor University Libraries strive to make our digital collection resources available and useful to our faculty, staff, students, alumni, researchers, and the general public. Through our Web sites, the Libraries offer broad public access to a wide range of information, including historical materials that may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes. Such materials must be viewed in the context of the relevant time period. Baylor University does not endorse the views expressed in such materials.
Comments, Questions, or Concerns?
Please email digitalcollectionsinfo@baylor.edu with any comments, questions, or concerns about this collection. Please include the URL to the specific page or item when emailing.