Chapel with the First Gent

Chapel at Baylor is an ever-evolving practice. Today, Baylor students have dozens of options to choose from. While some students may feel most comfortable with a large-group worship setting (similar to traditional chapel services), others may prefer a small group setting with friends from their residence hall, focused on how faith plays out in their field of study or connected to a campus ministry.

One unique option that students had in the spring semester was “Chapel with the First Gent.”

Each week, Brad Livingstone, husband to Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., led a group of 16 Baylor students as they learned how to mature in their faith.

“This actually came through one of my quiet times — ‘Here I am, God; use me,’” Livingstone said. “The main focus is relationships, and really getting these students to understand that now is the time to solidify their faith in Christ. Let’s lay that foundation that will help them grow in their daily walks with Christ for the rest of their lives.”

The goal of this Chapel group was to help the students answer three questions: Who is God? Who am I? Why does that matter? 

The group met in the living room of Allbritton House, home to Baylor presidents and their families for more than 50 years. The small group of students ranged from first-year students to seniors, covering a wide range of majors and hometowns. What they had in common was a desire to grow in their faith and to cultivate that in a small-group environment. 

“His emphasis on quiet times, setting aside time just to speak with God … That’s the number one thing I’ve tried to work on since I became a Christian,” said sophomore Gabriel Granados. “I do it in the mornings; starting off the day spending time with God, it makes my day so much better. It makes school easier, it makes everything easier because I know God’s got me.”