At Baylor, we celebrate our distinctive place in higher education—where research, scholarship and faith guide the mind in understanding the complex diversity of God's creation and prepare the whole person for service and leadership.
During the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, prestigious institutions of higher education founded on Christian principles began a relentless retreat from their spiritual heritage. During that time and into the Twenty-first Century, Baylor has remained one of the few to persist in the belief that not only can its Baptist heritage inform a vital approach to life in general, it can also inform the life of the mind specifically.
Baylor continues to hold firm to the conviction that the world needs a preeminent research university that is unambiguously Christian, where such a commitment does not imply a lack of scholarly inquiry, but rather requires scholarship and creative endeavors at the highest levels of quality to complement and inform its teaching and service.
The foundation for Baylor's position in higher education is articulated in its mission statement, foundational assumptions, core convictions and unifying academic themes. These commitments motivated the founding of Baylor and have guided the University at every point in its history. They continue to define Baylor's exceptional character, purpose and vocation in the world of higher education.
Chapel
The oldest tradition in American higher education and at Baylor University is Chapel. The need for members of an academic community to come together to focus on the God who made them and the universe in which they live and study has not changed.
Chapel is an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to journey together in intentional spiritual formation. For more information on chapel’s mission and specific sections, click here.
Demographics
Our student body comes from 49 states and more than 85 countries, and that diversity means a variety of background, cultures and beliefs. Despite assumptions to the contrary, students are not required to embrace the Baptist tradition to become part of the Baylor family and enjoy all that Baylor has to offer. Students encounter a variety of beliefs on campus, and they are encouraged to broaden their understanding of the rich cultural diversity found throughout the world and reflected in the Baylor family. The Baylor family includes members from these faith traditions:
- African Methodist Episcopal
- Anglican (Church of England)
- Assembly of God
- Atheist
- Baptist
- Buddhist
- Catholic
- Christian Church
- Church of Christ
- Church of God
- Church of the Nazarene
- Congregational Church
- Disciples of Christ
- Eastern Orthodox
- Episcopalian
- Evangelical Free
- Four Square Gospel
- Full Gospel
- Greek Orthodox
- Hindu
- Independent Bible
- Islam
- Interdenominational
- Jehovah's Witness
- Jewish/Judaism
- LDS (Mormon)
- Lutheran
- Mennonite
- Methodist
- Missionary Alliance
- Non-Denominational
- Pentecostal
- Presbyterian
- Protestant
- Seventh Day Adventist
- Unitarian
- No Religion
George W. Truett Theological Seminary
Truett Seminary's purpose is to provide theological education leading to the Master of Divinity, the Doctor of Ministry or the Master of Theological Studies degree that is centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ and consistent with historic Baptist commitments to prepare persons to carry this gospel to the churches and the world.
Learn More About Truett Theological Seminary
Spiritual Life Centers
- Robbins Chapel - Brooks Residential College
- Elliston Chapel - East Village Residential Community
- Memorial Chapel - Memorial Residence Hall
- Paul Powell Chapel - George W. Truett Theological Seminary
- University Chapel - Waco Hall
- Bobo Spiritual Life Center
- Methodist Student Center
- St. Peter's Catholic Student Center
Studies of Religion
Launched in August 2004, The Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion (ISR) exists to initiate, support and conduct research on religion, involving scholars and projects spanning the intellectual spectrum. Baylor ISR has become a preeminent leader in religious studies, conducting groundbreaking research on worldwide religious beliefs that is continually cited around the world. While always striving for appropriate scientific objectivity, Baylor ISR scholars treat religion with the respect that sacred matters require and deserve.
Read More About the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion