David Roberts '01

Southwest Baptist University alumnus David Roberts ’01 and his wife Beth “have a desire to see healing and transformation in the lives of those they come in contact with” on a daily basis.

The Robertses currently serve as missionaries in Tucuman, Argentina, while also working at an addictions center, helping young men who “desire to get off drugs and be transformed by the power of God.”

In addition, the Roberts are also “church planting among the under-reached professional/middle class in their region.”

Working in the recovery ministry can take an emotional toll on both David and Beth. In their December 2016 newsletter, Beth says that in their counseling work they use the example of a traveler carrying an enormous load in his oversized backpack. Upon the decision to quit their addiction, a new-found sobriety leaves the young men facing years of accumulated problems and difficulties that they have never confronted.

The men are challenged to “open up their backpack” to see what they are carrying – loads of pain, suffering, shame, guilt and unbearable memories. The process can be painful, but also offers hope for freedom.

“The lightening of the load is necessary for a true recovery from addictions and for spiritual healing in Jesus Christ,” Beth writes.

Beth says it is important for she and David to be “refreshed and renewed constantly.”

In serving as an overseas missionary, David said that SBU helped him prepare both spiritually and professionally for his current role.

“I serve as the director of a Christian addictions recovery center in Argentina, and my four years at SBU played a key role in my personal development,” David said. “I was able to earn a psychology degree while I grew spiritually through studies and relationships on campus. That foundation has been built off of over the years and my current work and ministry benefit from it every day.” 

Dr. Dan Cochran and David Myers were also significant influences in his SBU education.

“Dr. Cochran was the philosophy professor and taught me to think critically, to not be afraid of hard questions,” David said. “David Myers was the resident director at Maupin Hall and played a key role in my spiritual development.”

David says that his advice to current SBU students is to “seek to radically follow Christ and to integrate that commitment into every aspect of their lives.

“SBU provides an ideal environment to prepare both spiritually and professionally. Each student should take full advantage of that opportunity.”