By Abby Rathburn | Staff Writer
Vertical’s new leadership team is entering the academic year with a renewed focus on its mission to reach unreached students who are unfamiliar with the gospel.
The student-led ministry’s mission is to “ignite a passion” in college students for Jesus Christ, his church and his mission around the world.
Orlando, Florida, senior and Vertical president Enzo Sioson, said the organization is excited to begin the new academic year after months of preparation.
With eight teams of volunteers and three vice presidents, Vertical’s executive board meets weekly to plan how the organization can best serve students and share its faith.
“Executive board meets every single week, and it’s the four of us and staff,” Olathe, Kansas, senior and Vertical Vice President of Missions Madyson Craig said. “Staff has their ideas, and we have our ideas, and we just work through it, pray through it and talk about how we think we can best serve our campus and best make Jesus known.”
Even at a Christian university like Baylor, Craig said some students are unfamiliar with the gospel. She said she finds purpose in engaging with those people and the communities they are part of.
One way Vertical has restructured its mission to evangelism is by being intentional about which speakers it invites to Monday night gatherings.
“We’re really excited about our athletic collaboration with Kevin Washington coming later this fall,” Sioson said. “Oftentimes, athletics can feel separate from your normal Baylor life, and that serves as a time where we can bridge some of those gaps.”
In addition to Washington, Vertical will also welcome Matt Chandler and Jennie Allen as guest speakers, bringing more well-known and trusted speakers to Monday night gatherings.
“We try to pick speakers that not only students know and are trusted voices, but we also trust and pray and hope that would speak to Baylor students,” Sioson said.
Vertical is also expanding its reach through music. Vertical Worship is releasing its own original music project, “Live From The Living Room,” allowing students to listen to music from Monday night gatherings even if they cannot attend in person.
“It’s not for views, or streams, or any of those things; it’s just how the whole experience has worked in them and the things that they felt the Lord was wanting them to write,” Craig said.
Vertical’s focus on students who may be less familiar with the ministry of Christianity has also brought more freshmen to its gatherings.
Austin freshman MaryKate Hale said she first heard about Vertical from her older sister and friends. She said she is excited that her involvement with Vertical can also count as her chapel credit.
“Not that I wouldn’t want two chapels, but it being something I’m already involved in counting as chapel credit is just really nice,” Hale said.
For Craig and the rest of the executive team, creating opportunities for students like Hale to gather, connect and grow in their faith is at the heart of Vertical’s mission.
“It’s such a soul-filling start to the week just to be able to gather with hundreds of other college students and worship Jesus,” Craig said.
