Baylor Welcomes February Chapel Speakers

February 1, 2008

Baylor University's department of University Ministries sponsors chapel in Waco Hall on Baylor's campus each Monday and Wednesday at 10 and 11 a.m. Guests for February include musicians, authors and inspirational speakers.

Larry James, president and CEO of Central Dallas Ministries (CDM), will speak on Feb. 4. CDM is a community development organization focusing on economic and social justice work in inner city neighborhoods. James also will be the guest speaker at Mission Waco's annual UrBanquet. The event features the local impact of Mission Waco's ministries and provides a view of faith through nationally-known Christian speakers and activists calling for Christians to make a difference.

University Chaplain Burt Burleson will speak in chapel Feb. 6 for the Ash Wednesday service. He is a 1980 Baylor alumnus and former pastor of Day Spring Baptist Church in Waco.

Roxanne Wilson will speak Feb. 11. She is a Baylor alumna and the first African-American to compete in the final four of NBC's "The Apprentice." Her book, Footprints in the Boardroom, looks at how "modern believers use their faith to overcome modern day challenges" with examples from Wilson's experiences from "The Apprentice."

The Langston Hughes Project, presented by Dr. Ronald C. McCurdy, will be featured Feb. 13 in chapel. The Langston Hughes Project is a multimedia presentation featuring a jazz quartet, spoken-word poetry and images from the Harlem Renaissance. McCurdy is the chairman of the jazz studies department and professor of music in the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California (USC) and is past president of the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE).

Shannon Cutts will speak in chapel Feb. 18. Cutts is a motivational speaker, writer, songwriter and recording artist. Cutts survived a 15-year battle with eating disorders and uses her experiences to give help to those who are hurting. Her "Key-to-Life" programs offer insight and support to overcome life's challenges with strength and courage.

The India Children's Choir will perform Feb. 20. The choir comes from remote areas of northeast India. The performances tell the story of their people's transformation from headhunters to ambassadors for Christ. The choir is part of Bibles for the World, an organization that runs schools and a seminary for the untouchable, outcast Dalit people near Delhi. Chris Fillingham, associate pastor at Day Spring Baptist Church in Waco, also will speak.

The AD Players will perform Feb. 25. The Houston theater company produces plays and programs committed to Christian and family-based values, promoting literacy and education.

Brett Younger, Baylor alum and pastor at Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, will speak Feb. 27. Younger is also the author of the book Who Moved My Pulpit? He writes ongoing columns for Baptists Today and the online editions of the Baptist Standard.

For more information regarding chapel speakers, please contact University Ministries at (254) 710-3517. Chapel can be viewed live on the web at www.baylor.edu/um.