Light from Baylor - January 13, 2026
Another spring semester is upon us, and there is great anticipation across the Baylor University campus. Faculty and staff have returned from Christmas break and students begin classes next week. But even as we embark on another year, I am reminded of how faithful the Lord was to us last fall.
October is Christian Higher Education month, and as a Research 1 university with 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students, Baylor remains distinct among our faith-based academic peers. However, like so many others, our mission is built on preparing young people to lead and serve the world. I am thrilled that our students, faculty and staff continue to report Baylor is a place where they can authentically live out their faith, and the university actively supports their spiritual growth. You can read more about Baylor’s place in Christian Higher Education in a special story.
Also last year, I participated in a three-part docuseries exploring the role of faith in higher education. The series includes stories from students, faculty and staff with different faith traditions from different institutions, and I was able to highlight the importance of Christian research universities, noting that we have the privilege of helping students grow and mature in their understanding of their own giftedness, passion and sense of calling. You can watch the entire series online: www.byutv.org/higher-ed.
As the semester ended, I was fortunate to spend time with Dr. Debbie Potter, the new president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, during the Annual Meeting in Abilene. Debbie is a pioneer within the BGCT, and I am excited to work with her and other BGCT leaders as we find new and exciting ways to deepen the longstanding partnership between Texas Baptists and Baylor.
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 fall.
Sincerely,
Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President
Follow President Livingstone on LinkedIn
Parents in Prayer
Since its founding in 1845, Baylor has carefully woven prayer throughout the student experience. There have been and still are countless ways for students to pray together, and for faculty and staff to pray with and for them. One of the most special prayer opportunities at Baylor today is the Parents in Prayer program led by our Parent Engagement team. Parent Engagement works diligently to connect our parents to resources, events and information to ensure they remain connected during their student’s Baylor journey.
Parents in Prayer stand in the gap for Baylor students, faculty, staff and administrators by regularly gathering for prayer and fellowship. Parents encourage, support and gain strength from one another as they spend time talking with God about the needs of their students and the entire Baylor community. Prayer groups happen monthly across the country in person and virtually, and it is heartwarming to know that on any given day our students are being prayed for by the Baylor Family.
Caring Through Chaplains
One of the many things that I am thankful for about Baylor is the intentional way we care for students, faculty and staff. We have a thriving and robust Pastoral Care team led by University Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life, Dr. Charley Ramsey. The entire team works together to provide care and guidance in countless ways each day, and one critical avenue for support is the chaplain program.
Each Baylor residence hall has its own chaplain, along with several academic units and departments. In addition, we have chaplains focused on Baylor’s online and international students. The resident and embedded chaplains are George W. Truett Theological Seminary students who are passionate about pastoral care. They are mentored and trained by a Spiritual Life supervisor and help foster an environment of spiritual wellbeing across the Baylor campus.
Celebrating Easter Season
As a Christian university, Baylor takes great pride in celebrating holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. There is something special about expressing gratitude and preparing our hearts for Advent. Last spring, we took a similarly intentional approach to the Easter and Lenten season.
The Office of Spiritual Life organized and led several worship services that began on Ash Wednesday and continued through Holy Week, and Truett Seminary invited us on a journey of reflection through devotionals authored by students, faculty and staff. There were also academic lectures, Bible studies and even our longstanding Steppin’ Out Day of Service fell during the holy season. I am so grateful for our campus commitment in 2025, and I am looking forward to seeing how we draw even closer to our Lord this year.
Truett's Lilly Endowment Grant
Just before the Christmas holiday, Baylor announced a $9.76 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support Truett Seminary’s innovative Ministry for Life initiative. With the grant, Truett will continue to build rich relationships among partners in Texas and beyond with a focus on equipping healthy ministers to lead healthy churches. This work reflects Baylor’s deep, abiding commitment to the Church in North America and to preparing future leaders for vibrant, lifelong ministry.
In addition, Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences and Truett’s Program for the Future Church recently collaborated to launch the Future Church Leadership Certificate. This online program provides fresh tools for those who serve faithfully across ministry contexts as they build communities marked by care, resilience and meaningful connection. If this certificate is something you are interested in, registration is open on Baylor’s Extended Learning website.
Praying with Waco
Waco has been home to Baylor University since 1886. We have persevered and grown alongside one another through wars, economic downturns and wonderful seasons of prosperity. We partner regularly on a range of programs and activities, and one of my favorites is the Community Prayer Breakfast. The breakfast is an opportunity to 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.
In the spring, we schedule the breakfast during the Easter and Lenten season as a precursor to FM 72, a three-day prayer vigil at the center of campus on Fountain Mall. Established in 2019 and coordinated by Baylor’s Office of Spiritual Life in conjunction with local churches and campus ministries, FM72 is now a staple on the Baylor calendar. It is one of the many intentional ways Baylor seeks to help students grow in their relationships with God.
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.