The Robert Cortes Sr collection contains the written and audio sermons related to his work in Texas and Mexico as a Baptist pastor from 1953-2010.
The Robert Cortes Sr collection contains the written and audio sermons related to his work in Texas and Mexico as a Baptist pastor from 1953-2010.
Biography of Robert Cortes Sr. :
Biography of Robert Cortes Sr. :
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Robert Cortes Sr. (1931-2015) was a devoted pastor, educator, chaplain, and community leader whose ministry spanned more than five decades. From 1953 onward, he preached, taught, and recorded a vast body of sermons, lectures, and writings that addressed faith, social justice, and the lived experience of Latino and multicultural communities. Known for his clear, compassionate teaching and deep commitment to pastoral care, Cortes blended theological insight with practical guidance for congregational life, education, and outreach. His work influenced local and regional ministries, supported faith-based education programs, and served as a bridge between generations, denominations, and preserving traditions while encouraging contemporary engagement. |
The Love Without Barriers project has partnered with Baylor University to preserve and digitize Cortes’s 57-year archive, making his sermons, transcriptions, and culturally informed translations accessible for research, teaching, and community use, ensuring his voice continues to inform scholarship and inspire future leaders.
Early Ministry and Education
Born in Monterrey, NL, Mexico, he began pastoring his first congregation in 1953 while working as an accountant. In 1954, he married Miss Cary Contreras while they were both active in the youth ministry at Primera Iglesia Bautista. In 1956, Cortes, his wife, and their first son moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to study for the ministry at Tennessee Temple College. While there he pastored a church in Stevenson, Alabama. After graduation in 1961, they moved to Texas to pursue further education. While in graduate school, he was ordained as a pastor at Primera Iglesia Bautista de Belton, Texas where he ministered until 1964. He earned a master’s degree in religion from Baylor University while pastoring other Hispanic congregations in Odem, Edroy, and Refugio, Texas. He engaged with his churches in the Texas Baptist's River Ministry.
Missionary Work and Media Outreach in Mexico
In 1969, Cortes and his family returned to Monterrey, Mexico, as home missionaries. There, he planted numerous churches and pastored several, including Primera Iglesia Bautista and Iglesia Bautista Berea. In also taught at a Baptist Seminary for a decade. His ministry extended globally through an international radio program that ran for 38 years, and he wrote a daily newspaper column titled "Lo Que la Biblia Ensena" ("What the Bible Teaches") for eight years in El Norte, a widely read newspaper in Mexico and Spain.
Chaplaincy and Later Years
In 1978, Cortes moved to Houston, Texas, to establish a chaplaincy program for international patients at the Texas Medical Center. He served as a Senior Chaplain at hospitals including MD Anderson, Hermann, and Methodist, continuing to pastor in various capacities until 2010.
Robert Cortes Sr. passed away in 2015, leaving behind a legacy of faith, peace, and dedication to spreading Christian teachings, embodying Matthew 5:16: "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." His memorial service was streamed to his churches in Mexico, reflecting his profound impact.
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Robert Cortes Sr. (1931-2015) was a devoted pastor, educator, chaplain, and community leader whose ministry spanned more than five decades. From 1953 onward, he preached, taught, and recorded a vast body of sermons, lectures, and writings that addressed faith, social justice, and the lived experience of Latino and multicultural communities. Known for his clear, compassionate teaching and deep commitment to pastoral care, Cortes blended theological insight with practical guidance for congregational life, education, and outreach. His work influenced local and regional ministries, supported faith-based education programs, and served as a bridge between generations, denominations, and preserving traditions while encouraging contemporary engagement. |
The Love Without Barriers project has partnered with Baylor University to preserve and digitize Cortes’s 57-year archive, making his sermons, transcriptions, and culturally informed translations accessible for research, teaching, and community use, ensuring his voice continues to inform scholarship and inspire future leaders.
Early Ministry and Education
Born in Monterrey, NL, Mexico, he began pastoring his first congregation in 1953 while working as an accountant. In 1954, he married Miss Cary Contreras while they were both active in the youth ministry at Primera Iglesia Bautista. In 1956, Cortes, his wife, and their first son moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to study for the ministry at Tennessee Temple College. While there he pastored a church in Stevenson, Alabama. After graduation in 1961, they moved to Texas to pursue further education. While in graduate school, he was ordained as a pastor at Primera Iglesia Bautista de Belton, Texas where he ministered until 1964. He earned a master’s degree in religion from Baylor University while pastoring other Hispanic congregations in Odem, Edroy, and Refugio, Texas. He engaged with his churches in the Texas Baptist's River Ministry.
Missionary Work and Media Outreach in Mexico
In 1969, Cortes and his family returned to Monterrey, Mexico, as home missionaries. There, he planted numerous churches and pastored several, including Primera Iglesia Bautista and Iglesia Bautista Berea. In also taught at a Baptist Seminary for a decade. His ministry extended globally through an international radio program that ran for 38 years, and he wrote a daily newspaper column titled "Lo Que la Biblia Ensena" ("What the Bible Teaches") for eight years in El Norte, a widely read newspaper in Mexico and Spain.
Chaplaincy and Later Years
In 1978, Cortes moved to Houston, Texas, to establish a chaplaincy program for international patients at the Texas Medical Center. He served as a Senior Chaplain at hospitals including MD Anderson, Hermann, and Methodist, continuing to pastor in various capacities until 2010.
Robert Cortes Sr. passed away in 2015, leaving behind a legacy of faith, peace, and dedication to spreading Christian teachings, embodying Matthew 5:16: "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." His memorial service was streamed to his churches in Mexico, reflecting his profound impact.
User Notes :
User Notes :
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.
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.