Baylor Commissions Students Serving on Mission Trips

Commissioning: It is a meaningful Christian tradition that affirms a person’s calling to service and a sending group’s responsibility to equip and support those they send. Grounded in the church in Antioch sending Barnabas and Saul out for missionary work in Acts 13:2-3, commissioning missionaries in Baptist life dates back to the 18th century.

On Tuesday, March 3, Baylor commissioned students who are serving on mission trips across the U.S. and around the world over spring break, during the summer months and who recently served over winter break. Eight University trips are headed out to serve from the Dominican Republic and Greece to Guatemala and the Netherlands during spring break alone. In addition, hundreds of students are travelling on mission trips with their college ministries from local churches. It’s an important way Baylor students put hands and feet to their faith.

“The work you are doing on these mission trips reflects our mission for the church, for Texas, and for the World,” University President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D. said to the students at the commissioning. “You will be exemplifying our vision to prepare men and women for worldwide leadership. You may be uncomfortable at times, surrounded by unfamiliarity, as you grow into the Image of God that He has for you.”

Each student who participated in the commissioning received two coins embossed with the Great Commission—one to keep and one to give away—as a reminder of the life-changing event they are embarking on and the nature of blessings.

“You know that you are going out on these mission trips to give blessings to these communities,” First Gent Brad Livingstone said. “You will also receive blessings in return.”

Dr. Livingstone left the attendees with an empowering reminder for any anxiety or uncertainty as they head out on their journeys.

“As you go forth, know that Christ is sharing Himself with you so that you can share your life, and His life, with others.”

University Chaplin and Dean of Spiritual Life Carley Ramsey, Ph.D., commissioned the participants by reminding them of another servant-leader commissioning in the book of Isaiah.

“Isaiah voices his intimidation and apprehension of being chosen as a servant-leader,” Dr. Ramsey said. “But when God asks, Isaiah says, ‘Here I am.’ (Isaiah 6:8) By choosing to serve on these missions, you all have a bit of that in your heart.”

Affirmed of their servant-leadership, students joined in prayer for all the trips taking place over both spring and summer break and spoke the words, “Here I am. Send me.”