Chapel with the First Gent one of dozens of Chapel options for Baylor students
Baylor students today have dozens of options to choose from when it comes to Chapel. Some prefer a large-group worship setting (similar to traditional Chapel services); others, a small group setting — perhaps one with friends from their residence hall, or one focused on how faith plays out in their field of study, or one connected to a campus ministry.
One of the more unique options available this semester: Chapel with the First Gent.
Each week, Brad Livingstone — husband to President Linda Livingstone, and a longtime high school teacher — leads a group of 16 Baylor students as they learn how to mature in their faith.
“This actually came through one of my quiet times — ‘Here I am, God; use me.’ The main thing is relationships, and really getting these students to understand that now is the time to really solidify their faith in Christ,” says the First Gent.
The group meets in the living room of Allbritton House, home to Baylor presidents (and their families) for more than 50 years. The student participants range from freshmen to seniors, covering a wide variety of majors and hometowns. What they have in common is a desire to grow in their faith, and to walk that out in a small-group environment.
“I appreciate with Baylor how many different chapels there are, so you can find something that really fits for you,” says freshman Shayla Curtis, an Air Force ROTC cadet. “I did a really big Chapel last semester; there were some really great speakers and messages, but I wasn’t able to engage with it the way I wanted to. With this small group chapel, I can be so engaged and really learning about God and how He acts in different people’s lives.”
The goal, says Livingstone, is to help the students answer three questions: Who is God? Who am I? Why does that matter?
“What I want to instill is establishing these students in their daily walk with Christ,” says Livingstone. “For example, a couple of weeks ago, I introduced what a quiet time is. I’ve heard from a number of them that just being able to step back, even for a few minutes of their crazy lives, and just be with God has really been pretty cool for them. So let’s lay that foundation that will help them grow in their daily walks with Christ for the rest of their lives.”
The feedback from students has been incredible.
“His emphasis on quiet times, setting aside time just to speak with God… That’s my number one thing I’ve tried to work on, really since I became a Christian,” says sophomore Gabriel Granados. “Just kind of slowing down and actually getting to have that time with God. I feel so much better. I do it in the mornings; just getting to start off the day spending time with God, it makes my day so much better. It makes school easier, it makes everything easier, because I know God’s got me.”
Chapel with the First Gent is part of a rethinking of Baylor Chapel led by Rev. Dr. Erin Moniz, Baylor’s Director for Chapel — moving away from a “one size fits all” approach, and toward something that would better serve today’s students as they grow in their faith.
“Every single Chapel is grounded in spiritual formation,” says Moniz. “Baylor is so rich with all of these experiences and people and ways we’re thinking about our students and their spiritual formation, so for Chapel, it’s not so much about something new as it is about finding ways for Chapel to come alongside existing programs and opportunities.”
Students this fall will be able to choose from almost 70 different Chapel experiences — including Chapel with the First Gent.
“I actually look forward to this time every week,” says Livingstone. “It’s just a lot of fun. … Everybody knows we’re all too busy. But I have learned that you make time for the things that really matter. I know I don’t have time for this, but this is important, so God, help me make time for this.”
Sic ’em, Baylor Chapel!