Baylor Chapel Welcomes Guests for Fall Semester

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Media contact: Lori Fogleman, (254) 710-6275
WACO, Texas (Sept. 14, 2015) – Baylor University’s Office of Spiritual Life will host many noteworthy guests this fall for twice-weekly chapel services.
Burt Burleson, D.Min., University Chaplain, and Ryan Richardson, associate chaplain and director of worship and chapel, believe chapel is an integral part of the Baylor experience.
"Chapel is important, not only because it speaks to students about what is at the heart of a Baylor education, but because it impacts students in a way that goes beyond a Baylor education," Burleson said. "Chapel is the heart of who we are."
Special guests this semester include:
Ken Medema, composer, singer and songwriter, who has been performing around the world for more than 40 years. Blind from birth, he began playing the piano at age 5. Medema is known for his improvisation during performances, inspired by what he hears and feels from those around him.
Nic Gonzales and Jaci Velasquez, singer-songwriter duo from Salvador, a Christian Latin band. Velasquez is a solo artist and has released multiple albums.
Jamie Tworkowski, founder of To Write Love on Her Arms, a nonprofit organization devoted to presenting hope and finding help for those struggling with depression, self-injury, addiction and suicide.
Other guests include:
• Bill Gaither, singer-songwriter
• Roger Olson, Ph.D., Foy Valentine Professor of Christian Theology and Ethics at George W. Truett Theological Seminary
• Jon Burns, founder of Lionsraw, a United Kingdom based nonprofit working to inspire soccer fans to make a positive impact in their communities
• Mark Lanier, author of “Christianity on Trial”
• Soulfruit, musical group
• Jim Marsh, director of counseling services at Baylor
• Macarena Hernandez, Fred Hartman Distinguished Professor of Journalism at Baylor
• Philip Sheldrake, religious historian, theologian and scholar
• Myron Butler, singer, songwriter, producer, choir director and leader of Myron Butler & Levi
• Baylor Men’s Choir
• Richmond Wandera, pastor of New Life Baptist Church in Kampala, Uganda
• Tim McKenzie, president and founder of On Every Word
“When students look back on their chapel experience,” Richardson said, “I’m not concerned that they remember everything that happened in chapel. My hope is for them to remember feeling they were fed spiritually.”
Chapel occurs at 9:05 a.m., 10:10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays in Waco Hall at 624 Speight Ave. To view a calendar or receive more information about chapel services, contact Baylor Spiritual Life at 254-710-3517 or email Spiritual Life
by Bethany Harper, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.