Building International Partnerships - Africa

In September (13th – 21st) 2022, the Drs. Bradley, Ingalls, Monteiro, Laube and Baker traveled to Nigeria. The group first stayed overnight in Lagos at a Baptist Guest House operated by the Nigerian Baptist Convention and enjoyed getting to know the family of one of the doctoral students, Adekunle Oyeniyi, who also came on the trip. The group flew north and spent five days on the large and beautiful campus of the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary in Ogbomoso.

The purpose for the trip was to explore future collaborations and partnership and to support and learn from music ministers in local churches. The visit overlapped with two major events at the seminary: 1) a nationwide minister’s conference which drew several thousand participants, and 2) the 30th anniversary of the seminary’s church music program. Baylor faculty spoke to a group of 100+ music ministers from across the country and participated a day-long event celebrating the church music program, which included hearing testimonies, preaching, and lots of singing! The trip ended back in Lagos, worshiping at Ikoyi Baptist Church and talking with music volunteers and leaders about the joys and opportunities of music ministry. The trip made a deep impression. One phrase used everywhere was “You are welcome here,” which prompts reflection on our own commitment to hospitality and the unconditional acceptance Christians all over the world find only in Christ.