Called to Serve: For the Church, For Texas, For the World

For several weeks this summer, the First Gent and I had the pleasure of traveling in Europe. It was a time of broadening horizons and personal growth for both of us, as Brad and I planned our trip so that we might experience the world in new ways that only immersion in other cultures can provide.

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:16

In addition to finding time to rejuvenate, we incorporated stops to engage with students in our Baylor Study Abroad programs. We started with Truett Seminary’s Theology, Ecology and Food Justice Program in Rome before joining Baylor students participating in an archaeological dig with the San Giuliano Archaeological Research Project, a Baylor-led interdisciplinary initiative in nearby Barbarano Romano. Both of these programs gave students hands-on engagement in real-world settings and opportunities to interact with renowned international partners as well as our own exceptional faculty. We next stopped in Florence to visit Baylor’s Communication and International Politics group, where students were learning how democracy in America compares to the political systems of Western Europe, and before we left the city, we visited our Apparel Merchandise and Design program, where we joined students and faculty for a tour of a silk weaving factory that still uses manually-run looms.

Saying “ciao” to Italy, Brad and I made our way to Spain. There, we connected with two groups — the College of Arts & Sciences’ Baylor in Madrid program, a long-running program through which students are immersed in Spanish language and culture, and the Robbins College public health program. The passion of these students for serving reminded me just how great an impact Baylor has abroad as well as at home. 

Wrapping up our travels with the Honors College as a part of Baylor in Greece and Turkey gave Brad and me the chance to visit Athens, Greece, the birthplace of democracy. Flying home, I spent time reflecting on the many freedoms our American democracy makes available to us. From the privilege to choose our country’s leaders to having the liberty to worship and practice our faith in the manner of our choosing, we have so much to be grateful for.

Expanded Motto Reflects Our Mission

Along with stimulating my appreciation for the diversity of God’s people across countries and continents, this summer’s travels provided me with a window through which to view the unmistakable Baylor spirit in action.

Just as the Baylor Family welcomes students from more than 100 countries around the world to study at the University, our students and alumni go back into that world from our home in Waco to serve as salt and light in communities in need of solutions to everyday challenges and to expand the Kingdom of God through our witness as Christians.

 This institutional focus on serving the surrounding world is captured in Baylor’s recently expanded motto: Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana, Pro Mundo (For Church, For Texas, for the World). In adding the words “Pro Mundo” to Baylor’s motto, which dates to 1851, Baylor’s Board of Regents has brought renewed attention to the University’s mission statement — “to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service” — and highlighted Baylor’s global impact as a Christian research university.

Far from simply the addition of words, this new language dynamically celebrates Baylor’s impact on people around the world — an impact that has long existed and which will only grow in strength in the years ahead.

Growing in Service to Others

Scripture calls us to global awareness and interaction. Being the hands and feet of Jesus in the world means keeping the needs of others in the forefront of our thoughts and at the leading edge of our engagement with individuals and groups of people who, like us, experience the full range of joy and grief common to the human condition. As the Apostle Peter reminds us, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10).

This summer, in addition to expanding our University motto, the Board of Regents affirmed Baylor’s next strategic plan through 2030. After a prayer-filled year of listening to the voices of the Baylor Family and collaborating with colleagues across campus, we are beginning to implement this new blueprint for Baylor’s growth this fall.

Building upon our successes with Illuminate, our new strategic plan — Baylor in Deeds — continues to allow Baylor to heed Jesus’ command to “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). 

First and foremost, Baylor’s new strategic plan embraces the global calling we have as a Christian university and the global impact we can make as a Research 1 institution.

Baylor brings an important Christian perspective to an increasingly complex and challenging world, and we must lead in developing solutions through our scholarship and research and in preparing our students to live, work and flourish in this global society. Indeed, the future of Baylor University lies in our growing and enduring capacity to make a difference in the world.

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President
Baylor University