News

Baylor University leaders, faculty and staff from across campus are taking part in the 23rd Baptist World Congress July 7-12 in Brisbane, Australia.

On July 4, catastrophic flash floods swept across central Texas, causing death, injury, and displacement throughout multiple counties. As time passes and the magnitude of destruction continues to rise, our neighbors in central Texas need our support. Keep reading to see our approach to disaster relief, and how you can get involved.

Meeting human needs and showing Christ's love: the heart of Baylor Missions trips blends service and love across a variety of discipline-specific trips around the world.

Charles M. Ramsey, Ph.D., B.A. ’97, M.A. ’00, associate University Chaplain and director of campus ministries and church connections, has been selected as University Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life, effective June 9. 

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).

Ash Wednesday: The first day of Lent – which begins a season of repentance, fasting and awaiting Christ’s resurrection.

More than 100 Baylor students and faculty and staff leaders will serve with Baylor Missions over spring break March 9-16, combining faith, service and learning in Texas and in four international locations with the University’s global partners.

On January 7, 2025, multiple wildfires began sweeping across Southern California. The wildfires continue to cause destruction, injury, death, and displacement across the region. Our neighbors in the impacted areas are in need of support. Baylor Missions, Service & Public Life is ready to respond with BearAid's approach to disaster relief. Keep reading to learn more and see how you can get involved.

With six southeastern states still reeling from successive hurricanes Helene and Milton, Baylor University students joined together with the BearAid Disaster Relief Team to pack 100 “flood buckets” for communities impacted by widespread destruction.

With the east coast still reeling from Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida on October 9, 2024. Hurricane Milton is set to cause widespread destruction in communities across the coast. Our neighbors in Florida and the east coast are in need of support. Keep reading to see Baylor Missions, Service & Public Life's response to Hurricane Milton, and how you can help. 

On September 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida, causing widespread damage, injury, and death. As Helene weakened to a tropical depression, it continued to impact Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Helene continues to leave a path of destruction, and efforts to rebuild and provide relief will be extensive. Nonprofit organizations have begun disaster relief to help with food, water, shelter, healthcare, and essential supplies. In times like these, you may be wondering how you can help. Keep reading to see where you can donate, how you can learn more, and other ways to provide aid.

Since 2008, each incoming class of new Baylor students has been welcomed with its own unique hymn, capturing an aspect of this moment of excitement, possibility and transition in each new Bear’s life.

This year’s hymn, “In This Day,” was written expressly for the Class of 2028, with lyrics and music by University Chaplain Burt Burleson (BA ’80) and Kathy Johnson (BM ’76). The lyrics are both a welcome and an invitation to our newest Bears as they move through these moments of excitement, transition and possibility. The accompanying music video features snapshot images of this special time (especially Line Camp, when students get to know Baylor and one another):

Once again this summer, Baylor students can be found around the globe, ministering and serving in 10 countries across four continents on Baylor Missions trips.

What makes Baylor’s mission trips distinct is the blending of service and calling. These trips are discipline-specific: students with similar career goals or interests come together for trips that allow them to further develop in areas like healthcare, business or music as they meet significant needs wherever they travel.

Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) is getting a new space on Baylor’s campus!

This spring, Baylor deeded over land for a new BSM center to the Baptist General Convention of Texas, which is working to complete fundraising for the new facility. The new center (see the rendering above) will be built at the corner of South Fourth Street and Daughtrey Avenue — near East Village and the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation.

On May 5, Baylor University's neighbors throughout central Texas were affected by flooding due to rain and storms. Learn how you can help us procure supplies and furniture for the impacted communities.

This May, 135 students and 24 faculty/staff leaders are going on trips with BU Missions. Keep reading to see where we're going and how we're serving!

More than 1,450 students will volunteer at over 50 sites around Waco during Baylor University’s biannual Steppin’ Out community service event from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 6. A beloved Baylor tradition, Steppin’ Out is a student-led day of community service specifically dedicated to helping Waco residents. 

Easter invites us to reflect upon the glory of our Savior’s resurrection and rejoice in the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. 

Each year, the Collegiate Day of Prayer unites college campuses all over the country in a day of prayer for revival and awakening, concluding with an evening service of prayer and worship on a college campus that is broadcast around the world. This year, Baylor University served as central host site for the Collegiate Day of Prayer service.

Nearly 75 students and faculty and staff leaders will serve with Baylor Missions over spring break March 2-10, combining faith, service and learning in five international locations while supporting the ongoing efforts of the University’s global partners.

Our Spiritual Life staff was busy this Winter Break! Take a look at what we’ve been working on, as well as how our staff rested over the holiday season.

Baylor students share their experience from a Christmas missions trip to provide food and medical care to neighbors in South Texas.

Missions Week 2023 took over Baylor's campus from October 2-5. Join us as we recap each day of Missions Week.

WACO, Texas (Sept. 28, 2023) – Baylor University will serve as the originating site for the 2024 Collegiate Day of Prayer broadcast, the University announced on Thursday. The Collegiate Day of Prayer is an evening worship and prayer service focused on college-aged students, traditionally held on a university campus and live-streamed around the world.

On Tuesday, August 8th, 2023, a combination of catastrophic drought conditions and strong winds from Hurricane Dora sparked fires on three sides of Maui, Hawaii. Here's how you can help.

Devastating earthquakes in February 2023 have tragically impacted the people of Turkey and Syria. Looking for ways to help? Here's some ideas: https://www.baylor.edu/missions/turkey

Baylor Missions Week 2022 kicks off Monday, Sept. 26, 2022 with more than 35 organizations presenting opportunities to grow, love, and serve in Waco and the world.

Dedicate your Fall Break to serving communities impacted by Hurricane Ida.

Baylor Missions Week 2021 kicks off Monday, Sept. 27, 2021 with more than 35 organizations presenting opportunities to grow, love, and serve in Waco and the world.

Local non-profit organizations, charities, community associations, and food trucks are invited to to participate in the inaugural Love Local Fest at Baylor University on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021.

This Fall Baylor University led the initiative to serve G.W Carver Middle School after a devastating fire that that burned through the building.

A celebration of saying 'yes' to a lifelong journey with God and neighbor.

A celebration of saying 'yes' to a lifelong journey with God and neighbor.

Join the FREERICE Competition online June 28 - July 9, 2021 to get smarter, support the UN World Food Programme, and...BEAT TCU!

Baylor students will join forces with World Hunger Relief Farm in Waco, TX for the 4th Annual Interfaith Regional Gathering IRG.

Baylor community around the world is invited observe Lent in preparation to Holy Week. Through several spiritual practices, we prepare our hearts for Holy Week, when we remember the sacrificial death and victorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Camp Blessing Texas a non-profit Christian organization that services individuals with special needs, seeking paid interns.

How Baylor is using data to demonstrate and influence how a Baylor education affects spiritual growth.

The Baylor Bear Aid Team needs help handing out face masks and welcoming students back to campus.

“How can we have good conversations when everything is so political and politicized?” I must admit that I feel sadness when hearing this question because “politics” should mean accomplishing important work and decisions together as a society and as a community.

The first virtual Baylor Missions Week kicks off on Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, and extends through Friday, Sept. 18, 2020!

Baylor Missions & Public Life invites missions and ministry organizations to join us for the 2020 Baylor Missions Fair scheduled for Monday, September 14, 2020!

Baylor is providing students, faculty, and staff with a Family First Welcome Kit which will include Baylor-branded face coverings (2), hand sanitizer, a thermometer, a water bottle, a clear drawstring bag, COVID-19 Student Guide, and coupons from local vendors and eateries.

Summer of Solidarity (SOS) seeks to elevate the difficult, uncomfortable but important conversations, regarding race, privilege, violence and conciliation in America.

Baylor Missions scheduled to host virtual Netflix Party viewing of National Geographic docuseries, The Story of Us with Morgan Freeman, Season 1, Episode 3: "The Story of Love." 

Beginning Fall 2020, Baylor University undergraduate students will have the option to pursue a minor in Civic Interfaith Studies.

Social distancing doesn't have to stop your service! In fact, many non-profit and service organizations could use volunteers now more than ever. Here are some opportunities to serve from home.

As course instruction moves online due to the precautions taken to avoid the spread of Covid-19, chapel has reformatted to meet students where they are. The spring series of chapel will be available to view every Monday & Wednesday on multiple platforms: Instagram, Facebook, and Vimeo.

As of March 5, 2020, all Baylor Missions teams are still cleared to travel by Baylor Global Safety and Security and Baylor Mission

Baylor University’s Department of Public Safety and Center for Global Engagement continue to monitor the latest information on coronavirus (COVID-19) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of State. This resource page provides the latest updates on COVID-19 and any impact to the Baylor University campus and/or University-sponsored travel.

WACO, Texas (Feb. 26, 2020) – Spring Break is often a time for rest, relaxation, and renewal, but not for nine teams comprised of 150 Baylor University students, faculty and staff.

Alumna Sara Stephens went on a medical humanities mission trip as a Baylor undergraduate student in 2014. Four years later, she is on track to complete a Masters of Public Health with a major in epidemiology and a concentration in maternal and child health...

Picking a mission trip through Baylor or another missions sending organization can be intimidating but here are some questions to consider that can help you find the right spot.

Mission trips can be a life-changing experience. On the other side of that awesomeness, the transition home or back to school can be tricky....