By Shannon Sandridge
Baylor is a great place to be a Christian. Though certainly not everyone here is a Baptist or a Christian, the university has done a great job creating an environment which fosters spiritual growth.
With chapel and all the events put on by the Spiritual Life Center, there are plenty of avenues to ensure that you keep God in your life, even though you’re away from your home church. We’ve had a variety of worship bands come play during chapel, including one from Cuba, a gospel choir of professors and, my personal favorite, a more modern band called All Sons and Daughters.
Every week, my friends and I eat at Penland after church.
There are also plenty of opportunities for service through the university. I have friends who read to kids, eat breakfast with the homeless and teach “English as a Second Language” classes on a weekly basis. You are also given opportunities to serve abroad. For example, there are mission trips with professors that provide medical care and teach English in third world countries.
I love that I go to a university which provides so many chances to serve my community and the globe, but even more than that, I love that I am surrounded by so many students who are eager to serve. Many of my friends who are pre-med plan to do missionary work part-time, if not for their whole career. I also have friends who want to teach in underprivileged schools and who want to go into ministry.
Thousands of young people chose to spend Valentine’s Day weekend growing closer to God at the Passion conference, including many Baylor students!
Being surrounded by such people is really enriching. It isn’t uncommon or awkward to talk about faith; even those who aren’t Christian are open to discussion. I’ve learned a lot about my faith and been challenged by my peers in the best way possible. During particularly difficult weeks, some friends and I have worship nights in the chapel in our dorm to relieve some stress.
It’s typical small talk to ask what churches someone has visited. I ran into so many fellow Baylor students over Valentine’s weekend at the Passion conference; Baylor actually had the second most students there (we beat UT)! With so many incredible peers and such great opportunities to express my faith, I love being a Christian at Baylor.