Anchored in the Past, Yet Forward Thinking

One of the hallmarks of Baylor University’s Church Music program is its emphasis on preparing students for ministry through practical experience as well as classroom instruction. While completing coursework in worship leadership, music ministry, theology, and musicianship, many students also serve in local churches throughout the Waco area, gaining firsthand experience in the day-to-day work of congregational ministry. These opportunities allow students to apply what they are learning in real ministry contexts, working alongside church leaders and musicians while developing the skills necessary for future service. For Church Music students Eva Parker and Bronwen Kirby, serving in local congregations has become an integral part of their educational journey and vocational preparation.

From Monday through Wednesday of last week, the Dunn Center for Christian Music Studies welcomed Aaron Williams on campus as the fall 2026 Hearn Innovators Series guest artist. A renowned worship leader, singer, and songwriter, Aaron offered mentorship, guidance, encouragement, and inspiration through his participation in classes, meals with students, and Monday evening’s Church Music Forum meeting. 

Over Labor Day weekend, Church Music students as well as members of the faculty and staff traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, for the 10th annual Sing! conference, hosted by Keith and Kristyn Getty. Since the release of their modern hymn “In Christ Alone” in 2002, the Gettys have been influential voices and collaborators in the landscape of congregational song. In 2017, they hosted the first Sing! conference “for those who lead, plan, teach, sing, serve, and care deeply about the worship of the church.”  

At Baylor, Church Music students complete a required summer internship prior to their senior year, providing an essential bridge between classroom learning and congregational ministry. These immersive experiences are designed to cultivate practical ministry skills, strengthen pastoral leadership, and help students discern and develop their vocational calling through service in local churches. At the year's first Church Music Forum, three senior Church Music students shared how their internships fostered significant personal, musical, and ministerial growth. Through hands-on ministry experiences and mentorship from church leaders, they gained confidence, expanded their leadership abilities, and discovered new ways to serve the Church, offering a powerful testimony to the formative impact of experiential learning.