My Future as a Baylor Religion Major by Grace

My Future as a Baylor Religion Major by Grace - April 2025 Scholarship Essay

When I begin college, I plan to major in Religion with a focus on vocational ministry. I chose this path because I believe ministry isn’t just something I want to do—it’s something I am called to do. This calling has taken shape over years of involvement in the local church: attending Sunday School, leading Bible studies, volunteering at church events, participating in mission trips, and serving in the children’s ministry. These experiences were more than activities—they were moments of transformation that taught me what it means to live a life centered on service, compassion, and faith.

As I’ve grown, my faith has only deepened, and so has my desire to live it out in tangible ways. Ministry first started as a “holy hunch”—a gentle pull on my heart—but over time, that pull became a clear direction. I’ve seen how deeply people need hope, healing, and belonging. I’ve also seen how the church, at its best, is where those needs can be met. I want to be a part of that—to be someone who helps others feel seen and known by God.

That said, the path to ministry is broad. There are so many areas to serve—pastoral care, missions, youth ministry, chaplaincy, nonprofit leadership—and at times, this has felt overwhelming. But it’s also a beautiful opportunity to explore how my unique gifts can meet the world’s unique needs. What draws me most to majoring in Religion is that it will allow me to not only grow intellectually in my understanding of theology and Scripture but also spiritually and practically as I prepare to live out my calling in real-world ministry settings.

My past has prepared me for this step. I’ve spent my high school years teaching Sunday school, leading fifth and sixth-grade Bible study, helping with children’s church services, and volunteering with organizations like Operation Pets Alive, Meals on Wheels, and U.M. ARMY—where I helped build wheelchair ramps, repair siding, and pour concrete for those in need. Through these experiences, I’ve learned that ministry happens not only from a pulpit, but also in conversations, in service, and in the everyday places where people are hurting. I want to major in Religion so I can be equipped—biblically, theologically, and practically—to continue that work for the rest of my life.

I know that earning this degree will help me identify and cultivate the gifts God has given me so that I can serve others with compassion, humility, and boldness. I want to be the kind of leader who listens well, speaks truth in love, and brings light into dark places. Whether I end up working in a church, traveling as a missionary, or leading a faith-based nonprofit, I am confident that a Religion major will prepare me to answer God’s call with both heart and skill.