Robert and Ruth Isaacs have dedicated their lives to serving Christ, planting churches, and spreading the Gospel, particularly among Spanish-speaking communities. With over 50 years in ministry and a remarkable 75 years of marriage, their story is one of faith, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to God’s calling.

Early Life and Education

Robert Isaacs was born on March 20, 1932, near O’Donnell, Texas, to a farming family. Ruth was born on May 6, 1931, and her father worked in the cotton industry as a ginner. The two met in high school in O’Donnell and married on May 15, 1949. They were blessed with three children: Paula, Donald, and Carla.

Robert pursued theological education, earning an A.A. from Jacksonville Baptist College in 1961 and a Th.B. from the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in 1963. He also attended Wayland Baptist College and Texas Tech University, further preparing himself for a lifetime of ministry.

Coming to Faith

Ruth’s journey to Christ began shortly after she and Robert were married. While attending a small Baptist church at the age of 19, she felt the Holy Spirit move during a sermon and made the decision to follow Christ. Robert, on the other hand, came to faith at the age of nine during a revival meeting. Standing between his parents, he felt a deep conviction of his need for salvation and was saved even before stepping forward to speak with the preacher.

Answering the Call to Ministry

Robert felt God’s call to ministry in 1950 and surrendered to preach. After serving in several rural churches, he was elected as an Interstate Missionary in 1964. His passion for reaching Spanish-speaking communities led him to plant multiple churches, starting with the only BMA Spanish mission in the U.S. at the time. Over the years, he planted churches in Lubbock, Texas, and Roswell, New Mexico, where he saw remarkable growth as people responded eagerly to the Gospel.

Expanding the Mission through Spanish Publications

Recognizing the need for Spanish-language Christian literature, Robert and Ruth pioneered a publications ministry that would have a lasting impact across the U.S., Central America, and South America. They began by developing lesson materials, which eventually grew into a full-scale printing operation supplying literature for 20,000 people every Sunday. Their ministry printed 14 million tracts and countless hymnals, ensuring that the Word of God reached far and wide.

Ruth played a crucial role in setting type for publications, while translators converted materials from English to Spanish. With an 8,000-square-foot printing facility and a Heidelberg press that was miraculously paid off within four months, the ministry thrived. Volunteers from various churches and states came regularly to help collate and ship materials, demonstrating the unity of believers in advancing the Gospel.

Teaching and International Ministry

In addition to church planting and publishing, Robert served as a teacher for 12 years at Instituto Bautista Bíblico. His fluency in Spanish allowed him to preach and interpret at revivals in Mexico City and on short-term mission trips to Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and other Central American countries.

Ministry Legacy and Retirement

Robert and Ruth retired in 2001 after five decades of faithful service. Their ministry was marked by growth, transformation, and countless testimonies of lives changed. Even in retirement, they continued to celebrate God’s faithfulness, marveling at the way He provided for their needs and expanded their reach.

Now residing in Jacksonville, Texas, the Isaacs reflect on a lifetime of service with gratitude. Their love for the Lord, each other, and the people they served remains a testimony of faith in action. As they celebrate 75 years of marriage, they continue to rejoice in the work that God accomplished through their obedience, knowing that “anything that happened that was of any true value was the Lord being with us and making it possible.”