By Mackenzie Grizzard | Staff Writer
After two years with associate membership, Baylor achieved full membership status in the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) in July at its annual gathering in Lagos, Nigeria.
Representing Baylor at the gathering was Dr. Todd Still, dean of Truett Seminary. According to Still, Baylor gained membership after enduring a hefty application process.
“This process is able to indicate that this is an institution [that] has coherent convictions with the Baptist World Alliance at large,” Still said.
Baylor’s own Truett Seminary has also gained full membership in the BWA after being an associate member for five years.
The BWA is a global organization dedicated to “networking the Baptist Family to impact the world for Christ,” according to its website. Representing over 50 million Baptists worldwide, becoming a full member of the BWA opens up many new opportunities for Baylor’s ministry, according to University Chaplain Dr. Burt Burleson.
“Moving on from an affiliate to full membership makes sense for Baylor, because we really have gone global,” Burleson said. “That’s the faith mission we call ‘World Christianity.'”
Baylor University hosts international students from over 90 different countries. According to Still, Baylor’s ethnic and denominational diversity is a key factor in showing Baylor’s alignment with the BWA mission.
“The kingdom of God runs along relational rails, not simply denominational lines, but there are many people in Baptist life doing things we don’t know about,” Still said.
Because of Baylor’s large international presence, a strong connection with a global organization like BWA is something Baylor has become mindful of.
“We already have an international student chapel,” Burleson said. “We have a lot of students coming here [who] are brand new to the United States and maybe brand new to the Christian faith. So we’re going to continue to see more and more need and opportunity to connect with [international] students that come to Baylor.”
A central pillar of the BWA is missionary service and evangelism, which is a component of Baylor’s ministry as well. According to Baylor Missions, there are over 5,000 students representing Baylor in missionary service around the world.
“I think we’re going to see a lot of Christian entities — Baptists, especially — reaching out to one another,” Burleson said. “And our membership just makes that stronger.”
The tie between Baylor and the BWA not only elevates Baylor on a global scale, but provides new opportunities for faith-based organizations on campus, according to Still.
“We think globally, act locally and we allow our local contextual expression to be shaped by a larger Christian world,” Still said. “Truett will be having its 30th anniversary the Tuesday after class starts, and one of the groups bringing greetings will be the Baptist World Alliance.”
Full membership with the BWA opens up new horizons for Baylor on campus, locally and on a global level, with opportunities like expanding their range of missionary service and recruiting new international students.
“The opportunity to be in fellowship with our Baptist brothers and sisters stands to cause us to be more conversant and more aware of the work that the Lord is doing through Christians, congregations, conventions and the world,” Still said.
