SPIRITUAL LIFE
Baker University was founded by members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1858 and named for the Kansas-Nebraska bishop of the MEC at that time, Osmon C. Baker.
University ministry is ecumenical in nature, open to all people of faith, regardless of practices and denomination. Weekly chapel services are held in the Clarice L. Osborne Memorial Chapel on our Baldwin City campus on Thursdays at 11 a.m. No classes are held at that time to allow people who wish to attend Chapel to do so. Throughout the year, University Ministry hosts guest speakers and special events.
Since its founding, the university has held close ties with the Church, which became the Methodist Church beginning in 1939 and then the United Methodist Church in 1968 and has retained its affiliation. It is one of 196 colleges and universities in the United States with connections to the United Methodist Church.
We seek to continue the tradition established 150 years ago—devotion to the Christian faith and academic excellence.
Reverend Kevin Hopkins welcomes students to the first chapel service of the year.
Ambassador Program
Baker Ambassadors travel to United Methodist churches in the Great Plains United Methodist Conference to participate in worship services and talk with youth. We visit approximately 20 churches a semester, serving as role models and making an impact on college-bound youth. In addition to leading church services, ambassadors also contribute to the weekly chapel service on campus and organize and run campus activities such as Bingo Night and a Halloween hay-rack ride. We contribute to community service projects such as our Homeless Simulation, which raised $1,160 for the local Emergency Relief Fund. The group, headed by campus minister, Kevin Hopkins, meets twice a month.
Selection Process
Ambassadors must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5. Membership in the United Methodist church is not a requirement; the only requirement is a desire to serve the Lord. In addition, the Ambassadors are asked to attend the weekly on-campus chapel service and to participate in church visits and ambassador chapel services.
Applicants are interviewed by the minister to the university and current Ambassadors. After the interviews, a confirmation letter will be sent to each newly selected ambassador.
Called to Greatness
Called to Greatness is dedicated to acknowledging the work that the Lord is doing at Baker and in the world. CTG helps students discover, build, and start living a life of greatness as they realize God’s plan and purpose for their lives. CTG encourages students to see that Jesus Christ wants to influence and reign over every area of life and that all of life is spiritual – including our interests, relationships, talents and career.
Through CTG, students develop in all areas of life so they might glorify God and advance His kingdom through their lives.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
FCA helps sports-minded people think and live biblically at the intersection of sport and christianity.
Advisor: Cody Garcia, Head Wrestling Coach
Other Worship Opportunities
Local Places of Worship
Baldwin City & Surrounding AreaAnnunciation Catholic Church Baldwin First United Methodist Church Ives Chapel UMC Church of Christ Church of Christ of Vinland Fellowship Bible Church Gospel Chapel Lighthouse Baptist Temple New Life Assembly of God St. John’s United Church of Christ Vinland United Methodist Church Worden United Methodist Church WellsvilleNew Hope Baptist Church United Methodist Church of Wellsville Wellsville Baptist Church Wellsville Family Worship Center Lawrence |
EudoraEudora Assembly of God Eudora Church of Christ Eudora United Methodist Church Family of Faith First Southern Baptist Church of Eudora Holy Family Catholic Church of Eudora St. Paul United Church of Christ GardnerFirst Assembly of God First Light United Methodist Faith Community Gardner Church of Nazarene Gardner First Baptist Church King of Kings Lutheran Church EdgertonAssumption Catholic Church Edgerton Southern Baptist Church Edgerton United Methodist Church Clearfield United Methodist Church |
Minister to the University | The Rev. Kevin Hopkins
A regular participant in music camps on the Baldwin City campus during his youth, the Rev. Kevin Hopkins returned to Baker University in 2014 to serve as minister to the university. Known as “RevKev,” Hopkins was the senior pastor at Leavenworth (Kansas) First United Methodist Church from 2009 to 2014.
“I have been affiliated with several private colleges in Kansas, and Baker has always been the school that is highly respected by other regional schools,” says Hopkins, originally from Hutchinson, Kansas. “For the past several years now, I have felt God calling me to return to campus ministry.”
His experience in campus ministry includes stints at Grace United Methodist Church on Southwestern College’s campus in Winfield, Kansas, and as dean of students and campus pastor at Kansas Wesleyan in Salina, Kansas. He previously held faith-based leadership positions at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, and Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
“I embraced my calling to serve God because of my involvement in campus ministry,” he says. “I have always felt called to serve on a campus and give back. I hope I can help students juggle academic and social expectations while at the same time encourage them to grown in their faith.”
Hopkins earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas and a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. Hopkins has six children. His interests include running, playing basketball, ping-pong, and racquetball. Since 1999, he has served as a Chaplain (Lt Col) with the Kansas Air National Guard.
The Rev. Kevin Hopkins
Minister to the University
Clarice L. Osborne Chapel
785.594.4553
kevin.hopkins@bakerU.edu
Hours
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday
QUICK LINKS
P.O. Box 65, Baldwin City, Kansas 66006
785.594.6451