Baylor sends off students with first Student Mission Trip Commissioning Ceremony
Every summer, Baylor students head out on mission trips around the world, putting what they’ve learned in the classroom to use serving others. But the experience isn’t a one-way gift; these students also come back having learned about other people, places and cultures, and ways they can use their skills to help others in the future.
In late April, Baylor sent these Bears off with a special Student Mission Trip Commissioning Ceremony. Following the disciples’ example, Baylor representatives gathered to send these short-term missionaries off with prayer and encouragement (plus some treats to sweeten the celebration).
Facilitated by Baylor Missions, Service and Public Life, as well as local churches and organizations, students with Baylor connections will demonstrate God’s love this summer on a dozen trips to places like Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and South Africa, in areas ranging from nursing to business to sports ministry.
“I go home to my hometown friends and tell them about the opportunities I have through Baylor, and they can’t relate — they don’t have that same opportunity,” says senior Trevor Cox, a senior social work major from Abilene who is headed to Wales this summer with a Texas Baptists group. “It’s incredibly empowering to go to a university that not only advertises, but supports and commissions people to go on mission. It’s so incredible, and so special, to say ‘My school is sending me — they’re supporting me, and they’re there for me.'”
President Linda Livingstone and Spiritual Life’s Dr. Charles Ramsey were among those who spoke to the group that gathered in the Bobo Spiritual Life Center.
“You are going out for Kingdom work, but you’re also taking Baylor to the world,” Ramsey told the students. “Everywhere you go, there will be somebody that needs to hear, that needs to see that love. Just spread that… God is going to do something amazing in your life and other people’s lives. And this is how the Kingdom grows. Our greatest joy at the end of the day is to just be part of the Kingdom.”
Last summer, Baylor became a full member partner in the Baptist World Alliance, which uses the month of May to celebrate missions and evangelism. Baylor is identifying how missions, academic and other relationships can be strengthened across the globe through the BWA membership — bringing even more meaning to Pro Ecclesia (For the Church), Pro Texana (for Texas), Pro Mundo (For the World).
Sic ’em, Bears on mission trips!