Spiritual Life's Winter Break and the Importance of Rest

Welcome back for the Spring 2024 semester, students! We hope you were able to find spiritual, mental, and physical rest this Winter Break. Keep reading to see what Spiritual Life has been up to while you were away.

Spiritual Life Staff Around the World

Staff members from our department of Missions, Service & Public Life spent a week in Antigua, Guatemala exploring ministry partnerships through One More Child. They met with local pastors and ministry leaders to hear about the needs of the communities and discuss how Baylor students can get involved. The team was also able to experience the culture of Guatemala by visiting historical sites and local businesses.

Dr. Charles Ramsey, Assistant Director for Campus Ministries & Church Connections, spent a portion of his Winter Break in Pakistan with the Baylor Center for School Leadership. This trip focused on empowering women for leadership through sports. You can read more about the trip here.

Resting Over the Break

Throughout the busyness of the holiday season, our staff still found time to rest and spend time with family.

“I spent a few days on a personal spiritual retreat in Kerrville, TX. This small town in the Texas Hill Country along the Guadalupe River has been a beacon for spiritual renewal for a couple of years. The peace and tranquility of the river and the beauty of the hill country and the quietness of this small town are a perfect recipe for reflection, prayer, and rest.”

-Rebecca Kennedy, Assistant Dean for Spiritual Life

“Over winter break I went home and had a slow, restful time with family! My extended family then gathered at my home in Waco for more holiday festivities. This past year the Lord has restored and redeemed my family dynamic and for that I am grateful!”

-Sharita Holder, Senior Coordinator of Campus Ministries & Church Connections

“I enjoyed a lot of quality time with my family over break! We took our kids to Top Golf, hooped it up on our driveway, visited my extended family in Kansas City, spent a weekend in Chicago, read some books, spent time with neighbors, and went to the Women’s Basketball opener in the new Foster Pavilion. I was so grateful for the opportunity to play, worship, be creative, and extend hospitality—some of my favorite spiritual practices!”

-Molly Simpson, Assistant Director for Service

“Over the break, I spent some time with my family for Christmas. When we’re together we always have a blast playing games and enjoying company. I also spent a lot of time resting, catching up on Hallmark movies I had missed in the busyness of the end of the semester, and hanging out with my sons while they were on break as well.”

-Sarah Nelson, Assistant Director for Missions

Rest is important for the spiritual, mental, and physical well-being of all people. We see in Genesis 2 that God built rest into the world from the beginning. Still, it is easy for us to get caught up in everything we have going on and forget the rest and renewal that is essential to our being. As busy college students, we’re sure you understand what that is like. However, we want you to remember to make an effort to rest this semester and beyond. We hope Winter Break was a time of rest for you, and we hope that rest can continue as this next semester begins.

All of us here at Spiritual Life are well-rested and ready to walk with you in this new semester. As always, stop by the Bobo Spiritual Life Center if you need anything from us.