HOUSTON (TX)
Baptist Press [Nashville TN]
October 6, 2025
By BP Staff
Houston Christian University, formerly Houston Baptist University, has terminated the employment of Jay “Bobby” Spencer, associate provost for online learning. HCU is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
The move came following a news article from online outlet The Roys Report alleging Spencer’s abuse of a recent graduate of Liberty University in the late 1990s.
The original Roys Report article, published Sept. 23, features an interview with Rachel Beck, a 1996 Liberty graduate who went on to work at the school as an admissions counselor.
Beck claims she was sexually harassed by the school’s then-president John Borek. When she reported the harassment to Spencer, who was then a Liberty vice president, she says Spencer began grooming her and soon made unwanted sexual advances.
The two began a sexual relationship that was discovered in August 1998 and labeled an affair, according to The Roys Report.
Beck moved back home to the Northwest and ultimately agreed to a settlement that required her silence. Meanwhile, Spencer resigned with a large severance and was rehired by Liberty eight years later and remained there until moving to HCU in February 2017.
HCU released the following statement to The Roys Report last week:
“Houston Christian University had absolutely no prior knowledge of the events as related in (T)he Roys Report. However, after hearing of these disturbing matters, we immediately opened an investigation and also suspended the employee named in the Report.
“As a result of our investigation, the named person is no longer in the employment of Houston Christian University.
“As in all personnel matters, we can offer no further information.”
If you are/have been a victim of sexual abuse or suspect sexual abuse by a pastor, staff member or member of a Southern Baptist church or entity, please reach out for help at 202-864-5578 or SBChotline@guidepostsolutions.com. All calls are confidential.