By Jordan Davidson | ReporterCOVID-19 has altered life on campus for faculty, staff and students in many different ways. For those professors who participate in the faculty-in-residence program, life without students has changed not only how do their job, but how they live.According to the Baylor University website, faculty-in-residence “work collaboratively with CL&L leadership and residence hall staff to create diverse residential environments that support learning and faith development through the cultivation of relationally driven communities.”Dr. Rishi Sriram, faculty-in-residence for Brooks Residential College for the last seven years and professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, said that the lack…
Author: Jordan Davidson
By Jordan Davidson | ReporterDear Class of 2020,Wow! What a ride it’s been. Who would have imagined that our senior year would be cut short because of a virus? With online school in full swing and our original graduation date fast approaching, it’s not too difficult to think about how much these last few weeks have completely changed our lives.First of all, it’s okay to be disappointed about school going online, graduation being postponed, and missing out on the last two months of those forever memories. Baylor is a university that is deeply entrenched in tradition and, since the beginning…
By Jordan Davidson | ReporterFM72, which stands for Fountain Mall 72 hours, is a revival movement hosted by students, churches and other volunteers with the mission statement of “pursuing the heart of God at the heart of campus.” Due to COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings, student volunteers and organizers from churches and ministries across Waco will host worship nights through Zoom calls on April 13 through April 15 at 8 p.m. CST and 24 hour prayer breakout rooms that can be accessed through links on the FM72 website or social media.“The hope is that God would give us his spirit…
By Jordan Davidson | ReporterWith the recent COVID-19 developments, students all around the world have been forced to forfeit physically attending classes for homeschooling. Although these developments can be viewed by many as less than ideal, homeschooling isn’t that bad.My homeschooling experience extends far beyond when online classes began on Monday. I was actually homeschooled my entire life until I came to college. Even though homeschooling is different, it’s not as difficult as it may seem. There are plenty of ways that you can use what you already have and know to maximize your homeschooling experience.Take Advantage of the FlexibilityOne…
By Jordan Davidson | ReporterThe Antioch Discipleship School (ADS) was founded by Jimmy and Laura Seibert in Waco as a supplemental education tool for missionaries. ADS found its beginnings in a program called Masters Commission at Highland Baptist Church, and became part of the creation of Antioch Community Church in 1999. According to the school’s website, the Antioch Discipleship School’s purpose is to “provide you the opportunity to be transformed through encountering God, being discipled and making disciples, and learning to fully live on mission in our city, nation and the nations of the earth.”Although the structure of the school…
By Jordan Davidson | ReporterWith the rise of technology and streaming services, more churches are adapting to best serve their members and continue their ministry. One of these technologies is the implementation of online streaming of church services.Senior Pastor Josh Vaughan of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church said that online streaming allows his church to stay in touch with members who cannot physically attend. “It’s like a lifeline for people during a season of crisis who would not have a connection otherwise and that’s a pretty compelling reason for us to do it,” Vaughan said.In the last 10 years, churches all…
By Jordan Davidson | ReporterBaylor’s Urban Mission program was built to “provide opportunities for students to engage in the greater Waco community through relationship building and service.” The program includes 17 different student-led teams dispersed between multiple local organizations where students are able to devote time each week to serving around the Waco community.Urban Missions will host Executive Director of Talitha Koum Institute, Susan Cowley, for a lecture titled “Bursting the Baylor Bubble” at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 26 in the Bobo Spiritual Life Center.John Slosted, ministry associate for Urban Missions and Masters of Theology student at Truett Seminary, said…
By Jordan Davidson | ReporterThis week Better Together BU, an organization shared by the Multicultural Affairs Department and Spirituality and Public Life at Baylor University, is set to host a week of interfaith and cultural awareness activities.The national week, created by the Interfaith Youth Core, is used by Better Together BU to take the main mission of having conversations and applying them to Baylor’s campus.Sharyl Loeung, adviser and assistant founder of Better Together BU, said it is important to get to know people in the Baylor community.“The more that we know about the people around us, [the more] we are…
By Jordan Davidson | ReporterOso Logos and the Society of Physics Students paired up to host a faith and reason panel Wednesday night in the Baylor Sciences Building.The panel included a moderator, Baylor professors and experts such as Dr. David Ryden, associate professor of mathematics, Dr. Gerald Cleaver, professor of physics, Alonso Octavio Aravena Mendez, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Sociology and Dr. Todd Buras, an associate professor of philosophy, responded to student questions about how science and faith interact.Oso Logos is self-described as “a Christian Apologetics organization dedicated to giving Christians the confidence and intellectual tools to…
By Jordan Davidson | ReporterBeth Moore, founder, author and speaker at Living Proof Ministries, visited the George W. Truett Theological Seminary Wednesday night to speak to the Baylor and Waco community. This stop served as a part of a larger tour promoting her new book “Chasing Vines: Finding Your Way to an Immensely Fruitful Life.” People in attendance received a signed copy of the book and the opportunity to participate in a worship service led by Truett Seminary students and sermon by Moore.Kristiana Reinhardt, one of the attendees, said she wanted to attend because she loves participating in Bible studies…
By Jordan Davidson | ReporterThe Australia wildfires have been raging for over six months. With over 11 million hectares (or over 27 million acres), over 2,000 houses lost, and 33 dead, the fires have become much more than just front page news. People around the world began donating to the cause using fundraising campaigns like on Facebook or other platforms.Despite the fact that there are many people around the world who have donated funds and resources to those helping contain, evaluate, and eventually rebuild from the fires, that hasn’t stopped some businesses from exploiting the calamity as an opportunity for…
By Jordan Davidson | ReporterThrough the Ministry Guidance Program (MGP) and introduction to ministry class, Baylor students have the opportunity to acquire an internship that allows them to gain ministry experience.For Evergreen, CO senior Annie Barnett, working in ministry is much more than even just gaining experience.“It’s not about yourself,” Barnett said. “It’s about serving others and really making sure that you are there for them in whatever way possible.”According to the Department of Religion’s website, the MGP is “designed to help students who are exploring careers in ministry…to clarify and affirm their call to ministry and to introduce them…
By Jordan Davidson | ReporterRepresentatives from the U.S. Census Bureau tabled and handed out flyers to students in the Bill Daniel Student Center Thursday to spread awareness and showcase potential job opportunities for the upcoming census. Conducted every 10 years as mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the census is designed to count the population and provide statistical data to the federal government about the people residing in America. Waco City Secretary Esmeralda Hudson is the staff liaison between the Waco community and the appointed members of the Census Complete Count Committee (CCCC). Together, their job is to promote the census…