Steppin' Out
Steppin’ Out is a twice-a-year service opportunity through which thousands of Baylor students directly serve the Waco community. The event returned in person for the 2021-22 academic year after previously navigating the challenges of providing virtual service opportunities in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rebecca Kennedy, M.B.A. ’14, assistant dean of spiritual life and missions associate chaplain, leads Steppin’ Out under the Department of Missions, Service and Public Life.
“We couldn’t wait to relaunch a Baylor tradition that helps our community and teaches students the importance of serving neighbors,” Kennedy said. “Re-engaging students in communities has been a step back into the work we are called to do.”
Students “step out” of campus boundaries and serve local homes, churches, schools and nonprofit organizations throughout the Greater Waco community. This involves sundry activities such as restoring homes, gardening and cleaning parks.
“Service is at the heart of Baylor and at the heart of the Gospel that Jesus taught — feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned [Matthew 25],” Kennedy said. “It is our responsibility to love God and love neighbor.”
More than 1,100 volunteers participated in the November 2021 Steppin’ Out event. The spring semester Steppin’ Out event involved more than 1,800 volunteers.
Visit baylor.edu/missions for more information.