The beginning of the academic year is always rejuvenating. There are students everywhere, and each one is brimming with promise. Faculty and staff have a renewed energy and commitment to helping each student reach his or her full potential.

One of my favorite parts of the new year is the Celebration of Community and Faith church fair during Baylor’s Welcome Week. It is one way for new students to get to know churches in the Waco area in hopes that they will connect early to a local body of believers that will support them during their time at Baylor. We also take time at the beginning of the semester for the annual Community Prayer Breakfast. The breakfast is how we start each academic year –praying with pastors, school officials, and community leaders for the city, our colleges and universities, and area students of all ages.

Family Weekend also happens early in the semester. A tradition since 1960, Family Weekend is designed to help students and their families become better acquainted with Baylor. This year’s slate of activities included an amazing, sold-out concert with two-time GRAMMY® award winning contemporary Christian artist Lauren Daigle. It was so fun to watch students and parents enjoying the show together at the Paul & Alejandra Foster Pavilion, which has become a premier concert and entertainment destination since April’s sold-out show with another Christian music powerhouse (and Baylor alum), Forrest Frank.

As we returned to campus this fall, we were thrilled to learn that Baylor was once again named a Great College to Work For – this time earning honor roll status in every single category. We were also named by Forbes as a great employer for women – the University’s first ever recognition.

As you can see, the Lord continues to shower Baylor with countless blessings, and the purpose of the Light From Baylor e-newsletter is to share some of those blessings with you – senior and lead pastors across Texas and beyond. As you read, I hope you will find a story that piques your interest or something you want to share with a pastor friend or co-laborer. Feel free to pass it along to him or her so they can sign up for our next edition in the spring.

Sincerely,

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President

Follow President Livingstone on LinkedIn

Faith and Spiritual Wellbeing

Since a deep commitment to Christian faith guides everything we do at Baylor, we strive to intentionally provide opportunities for spiritual growth and wellbeing to our students, faculty and staff that complements their local church involvement. One foundational example is Chapel. When Baylor was founded in 1845, Chapel was a single daily prayer service for everyone. Today, it has been transformed into a more personal experience. It is wonderful to know that for undergraduate students – who are required to take two semesters of Chapel to graduate – we now offer dozens of different types of chapels that range of traditional worship to professions and personal interest focused. The variety ensures every student has access to a service or study that meets their needs.

We also hold two Faculty and Staff Chapel services each year that bring a pastor from the local community to campus. I am looking forward to having First Baptist Church Waco and Pastor Matt Snowden with us this fall. In addition to Chapel, we also gather at the end of each semester for Lift Up Your Hearts, a service organized and led by Baylor faculty and staff. I believe these are just a few examples of why students, faculty and staff continue to report Baylor is a place where they can authentically live out their faith and we actively support their spiritual growth.

New University Chaplain

The University Chaplain is a critically important role at Baylor. This campus leader has the responsibility of guiding and nurturing the spiritual wellbeing of thousands of students, faculty and staff, and at times, Baylor alumni and friends of the University. Over the summer we enthusiastically announced Rev. Dr. Charley Ramsey had been named our new University Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life.

Charley is a two-time Baylor graduate, was ordained in the Baptist church, and he was previously Baylor’s Associate University Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministries and Church Connections. Charley’s ministry and academic career before returning to Baylor in 2017 includes global mission leadership, interfaith scholarship and faculty appointments in the U.S. and South Asia. He brings a depth of experience in pastoral care, spiritual formation and more to the Baylor Family, and he hit the ground running, bringing new energy and excitement to this vital aspect of our campus life.

Joining the Baptist World Alliance

A little over a year ago Baylor joined the Baptist World Alliance, and in a wonderful week of fellowship in Brisbane, Australia, I was blessed to meet educators, ministers, lay leaders and faithful servants during the BWA’s 23rd Baptist World Congress. Beside participating in a ceremonial signing of a new BWA Program at Truett Seminary, I was able to speak on the big stage about Baylor’s Christian mission and Baptist heritage.

As I reflected on my time “Down Under,” I was reminded of two things:

• The world still needs a Baylor. I made that statement in 2017, and after experiencing the Baptist World Congress, I am convinced the world needs a Christian research university with a seat at the table and a commitment to scholarship, inquiry and creativity built on and experienced through Christian faith.
• Baylor’s relationship with the Baptist World Alliance will be critical as we strive to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service. We cannot prepare the next generation of teachers, doctors, ministers, scientists and business leaders without likeminded partners and friends.

Texas Baptists Support to Baylor Students

Since 1845, when Baylor was chartered by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, the University and the Baptist General Convention of Texas have labored together. Just last year, Texas Baptists supported Baylor’s application to join the Baptist World Alliance, and Baylor deeded land to the BGCT for a new Baptist Student Ministries building. The groundbreaking for that building was just a few weeks ago!

In addition, Texas Baptists have provided scholarships for some of Baylor’s Baptist students for years. There is a scholarship for students who are preparing for careers in church-related vocational ministry, and there are BGCT scholarships for dependents of pastors and ministers currently serving or retired from a Baptist congregation or another leadership role. Baylor’s long and fruitful relationship with the Texas Baptists continues to thrive, and I am looking forward to seeing how the two will continue to serve side by side to shine a light on God’s Kingdom.

Global Flourishing Research

Nearly four years ago, Baylor achieved one of the highest possible heights for a university when we were named a “Research 1” (R1) institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The R1 designation has since been reconfirmed, and with very few faith-based universities also being top-tier research institutions, this recognition makes us quite unique. It also enables us to attract students, faculty and staff who want to conduct top level research within a Christian setting.

For example, Baylor’s Global Flourishing Study, the largest research grant in University history, released its first wave of findings in the spring, and the results drew worldwide attention in outlets like National Geographic and Christianity Today. Baylor has also launched the Institute for Global Human Flourishing to extend Baylor’s reach and influence in the community, country and world – bringing to life the recently expanded Baylor motto of Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana, Pro Mundo.

A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)