This week kicked off Baylor’s annual Missions Week, and Barfield Drawing Room hummed with the chatter of community Tuesday night. The event, which included free dinner and conversations with global organizations was more than a convenient meal — it was about connection. Staff of global and local mission organizations met face-to-face with students who are eager to learn how they could serve.

The Beyond Us Missions Conference, which ran from Monday to Wednesday, was a partnership of Mission Waco, local churches, global leaders and the Baylor community. The group was brought together for three days of connection, worship and personal reflection.

What began as a night of worship turned into a moment of calling. Students thought they were just attending weekly worship at Vertical, but they found themselves face to face with University Chaplain Dr. Charles Ramsey and Compassion International Representative Meghan Foley as they introduced the Beyond Us Missions Conference — a week dedicated to reminding students that faith and good works don’t stop at Vertical chapel.

Today, Vertical Ministries is a 1940s revival, a living room worship movement and a campus-wide ministry. With a history as rich as its mission, Vertical holds a special place in the hearts of Baylor students, echoing roots planted by generations before.

Every Monday night, a gathering of Baylor students can be found singing, worshiping and declaring the same message: They’d “rather have Jesus.” Now, what began as a small group of Baylor students leading one another in prayer and worship is returning to its roots of being student-led.

The option to replace Chapel with Vertical has allowed the ministry to reach more people. During the spring of 2022, the ministry hosted 15 students for their Chapel alternative option. This past fall, there were 150 students and this spring semester, with 500 students, the ministry’s impact is continuing to grow.

Passion is coming to Waco. The Passion 2012 University Tour, which is traveling to 12 college cities across America, will arrive on Monday.

Stage lights will shine on artists such as Chris Tomlin, Kristin Stanfill and the David Crowder Band as thousands of college students gather with eyes closed and hands raised to worship together starting April 1. They will hear Louie Giglio, John Piper and Francis Chan speak and will gather in small groups. What they will experience is no average church service or concert, however, as the weekend is defined by one word: Passion.