By Jeff Huett
DECATUR, Ga. — In a multi-layered, innovative partnership with Baylor University and local congregations, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship will place three global missions field personnel in Waco, Texas, by August to support faith and leadership development for students at the world’s largest Baptist university.
The partnership is part of a broader CBF effort to nurture calling and faith development in a new generation.
Three CBF field personnel who have served communities internationally have responded to the opportunity to serve in Waco—Brooke and Mike (last name is withheld because of their current service assignment in Southeast Asia) and Karen Zimmerman, who previously served in Northern Africa among refugee and migrant communities.
Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone said the partnership with CBF is an extension of the school’s strategic priorities.
“We are honored to enter into a new, expanded partnership with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship as we fulfill our mission of educating men and women for worldwide leadership and service through the integration of academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community,” Livingstone said. “A year ago we expanded the University’s longstanding motto – Pro Ecclesia (for the church), Pro Texana (for Texas) – to include Pro Mundo (for the world). This partnership is certainly an extension of our strategic priority to prepare students to live in a global, caring society and share God’s love worldwide, and we look forward to working with CBF in support of these efforts.”
Paul Baxley, CBF’s Executive Coordinator, said these placements of gifted CBF field personnel in Waco are a “first faithful step toward inviting a new generation of young adults to find their place in the mission of God.”
“We know the students who benefit from these ministries will one day be field personnel around the world and pastors of congregations across our Fellowship and beyond. Others will become deeply committed lay leaders in our congregations and communities in their professional lives,” Baxley said. “The chance to engage students in deep faith in Christ and participation in his mission of bringing good news to the poor, release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind is a holy privilege. We look forward to the beginnings of these ministries in Waco and to finding ways to seed ministries like this in other places in the future.”
Nurturing Call in a New Generation
Brooke and Mike will connect students with mission experiences, including international trips and internships. Mike will also be available to speak to classes and teach courses in the Baylor Department of Religion and at the George W. Truett Theological Seminary.
In their current setting, Brooke and Mike are ministers and educators who support local churches, schools and universities. Both said they are delighted to continue following their call to serve young adults.
“We serve students and young adults because we know how crucial this period is for nurturing faith development and discerning one’s calling,” Mike said. “I’m excited to help students discover how they can connect to God’s broader work through their unique vocations. I’m also eager to provide hands-on ministry opportunities with local churches and internationally among field personnel and global partners. With the addition of Pro Mundo (for the world) to its mission, this partnership with Baylor offers a unique chance to help bridge the work of the university with the vital work of the global church.”
Brooke said she is excited they will continue investing in young adults by walking alongside college students who are exploring missions and ministry.
“It’s a privilege to help nurture their faith and encourage them to consider how God may be calling them to serve,” she said. “I’m especially looking forward to seeing how God raises up more people to bring the hope of the Gospel to the nations.”
Brooke said they will stay closely connected to the ministry in Southeast Asia by regularly meeting with their ministry partners, staying involved in the ongoing work, and bringing teams of students each summer to serve alongside them on the field.
Nurturing Faith Development
Karen Zimmerman will serve as the Minister for Student Formation and Community Engagement for an organization called Open Table, a collaboration that addresses the need for student ministry by inviting discernment, doubt, thoughtful dialogue and faith development while also including Bible study and witness.
Open Table is three years old and was started by four Waco-area congregations in partnership with the Division of Student Life at Baylor. Too often students do not find their way to these kinds of communities until they are juniors, seniors or even graduate students.
The partnering churches include DaySpring Baptist Church, Seventh & James Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church and First Presbyterian Church of Waco.
Each church offers multiple meals during the semester on Thursday evenings for the students to engage in faith dialogue. The ministry is also a chapel credit at Baylor and at least once a year there is a pastor panel for the students to hear from local pastors.
Zimmerman will work to strengthen the connections of undergraduates to a church faith community, as well as foster student community and help them access local mission opportunities.
Zimmerman said she is thrilled to transition into ministry with the work of Open Table in Waco.
“I’m looking forward to belonging to a faith community that invites us to wrestle deeply with our faith, both individually and collectively, intellectually and contemplatively,” she said. “The possibility of leading a group of students as they search for this kind of faith is an honor that I don’t take lightly. I’m excited to see CBF engage in collegiate ministry in this new way and hopeful about the possibilities that this service assignment might inspire.”
Tiffani Harris, associate pastor for community life at DaySpring Baptist Church, spoke about Open Table’s journey toward being a “breath of fresh air for students.”
“After three years of incubating a ministry through a partnership with four churches in our town, Truett Seminary and Baylor’s Spiritual Life, we are thrilled to welcome Karen Zimmerman to lead this ministry and ecumenical partnership on Baylor’s campus,” she said. “Karen brings experience, energy and a deep sense of companionship that will greatly impact the students in this ministry creating safe spaces for students to ask hard questions about faith and spiritual practice. I am confident that Karen will lead Open Table to be a breath of fresh air for students.”
Matt Rosencrans, associate pastor of Seventh & James Baptist Church, spoke to the ministry’s founding and the new CBF partnership.
“Open Table began with a set of values to be ecumenical, form courageous community, example intellectual curiosity, inspire a generous theology, practice contemplative spirituality and live an embodied faith,” he said.
“Our purpose is churches working together to reach and minister to college students in an ever-changing world,” Rosencrans continued.
“We are grateful and excited to partner with CBF in this endeavor knowing that we can grow our reach to students who desperately want to explore their faith in a safe and encouraging environment. Karen is a thoughtful, passionate and gifted leader who will deeply enrich the lives and faith of the students in our ministry.”
CBF Coordinator for Global Missions Laura Ayala said CBF Global Missions is witnessing the “profound ways in which God is revealing exciting new opportunities for engagement in missions.”
“We remain dedicated to opening pathways for those called from God’s heart to serve through a diverse array of ministries,” Ayala said. “Mike, Brooke and Karen exemplify this commitment and serve as outstanding mentors for college students in Waco. Their leadership and passion inspire the next generation to embrace the call to mission work.”
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Led by the love of Christ, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship invites churches and individuals to partner in transforming God’s world, working together as a global community to spread good news, justice and hope through impactful ministries, missions and resources.