Baptist World Alliance in Lagos, Nigeria, Approves Baylor University as Member Partner

The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) General Council unanimously approved 13 new members at its Annual Gathering this week in Lagos, Nigeria, including Baylor University as a full Member Partner. With Baylor, the BWA’s membership comprises 266 Baptist organizations across 134 countries and territories, representing more than 51 million Baptists worldwide.

Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone said the university is “the largest Baptist university in the world” and that the relationship would help it continue its mission “to educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service.” She noted that the Baylor Board of Regents recently approved adding “Pro Mundo” to the university’s longstanding motto, Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana, so that it now reads For the Church, For Texas and now For the World. She said Baylor looks forward to working with the BWA “to impact the world for Christ in even more significant ways in the future.”

The BWA describes itself as a global movement of Baptists who share a common confession of faith in Jesus Christ and who seek to support, encourage and strengthen one another. Julie Justus Williams, the BWA’s Director of Global Partnerships and Unity, said it is “always a joy to welcome new members into the BWA family.” She thanked the regions and current member partners who assist incoming members through the application process, adding, “Together we are a growing family impacting the world for Christ” (Psalm 133:1 is a picture of unity across the Baptist family).

Baylor describes itself as a private Christian university and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution with more than 20,000 students. It reports nearly 200,000 living alumni, including nearly 2,000 graduates of its George W. Truett Theological Seminary.

Baylor first joined the BWA as an Associate Member in 2022, with the intent of seeking full membership once educational institutions were given access, which occurred in July 2023. In November 2023, the Baylor Board of Regents affirmed the university’s intent to apply as a full member. The university says the partnership will deepen its Baptist roots and that it will continue its longstanding relationship with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, which is also a BWA member.

Baylor’s application was developed with its Office of Spiritual Life and Truett Seminary, which will also become a full Member Partner after five years as an Associate Member. Todd D. Still, dean of Truett Seminary, represented Baylor at the Lagos gathering. Still has chaired the BWA’s Theological Education Commission since 2020.

Baylor is the third higher education institution the BWA has approved as a Member Partner. Dallas Baptist University and Howard Payne University, both Texas Baptist institutions, were the first higher education Member Partners last year. Baylor says it will soon begin putting the partnership into practice, with engagement opportunities anticipated across the Baylor family.

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