Posted on 04/22/2026 10:18:47 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
The Baptist General Convention of Texas (Texas Baptists) is launching a formal review of its 140-year relationship with Baylor University following concerns over a student-organized event featuring LGBT advocates, including the president of the Human Rights Campaign.
On Friday, Texas Baptists Executive Director Julio Guarneri sent an email to the convention’s constituency stating that hosting speakers who are Christian, identify as gay and practice LGBT advocacy at a university-approved event is inconsistent with the convention’s views.
“While we value the deep, historic bond Baylor University and Texas Baptists have shared for 140 years, and the present ministry taking place on campus through avenues like our own Baptist Student Ministry (BSM), we also remain unwavering in our commitment to teaching and emphasizing a biblical view of sexuality,” Guarneri wrote, according to Baptist Press.
Speaking in his official role as executive director of Texas Baptists, Guarneri said, “It is likely that the viewpoints to be shared at this event and others may not represent either BGCT’s or Baylor’s official positions, and convention messengers have made it clear that the traditional view of biblical sexuality is a matter of fellowship and harmonious cooperation.”
Adding that he shared “the concerns of many of our Texas Baptists pastors and churches,” Guarneri said he will ask the organization’s executive board to “initiate a study of our relationship” with the university.
“Baylor University leadership is aware of this decision and has expressed interest and willingness to engage in this process,” Guarneri said, adding that the convention’s priority remains “strengthening a movement of multiplying churches who live out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission in Texas and beyond … committed to biblical authority and convictions.”
The event, titled “All Are Neighbors,” is scheduled for April 22, 2026 — the same day as a previously approved Turning Point USA rally on campus. It is being hosted by a coalition of five student organizations: Baylor’s NAACP chapter, Baylor Democrats, Hearts for the Homeless, Students Demand Action and Texas Rising.
The event is believed to be the first time Baylor has allowed an openly gay Christian advocacy speaker on campus for such an occasion.
Described as “the alternative to Turning Point’s and the Trump administration’s message of exclusion and Christian nationalism,” “All Are Neighbors” will feature speakers including Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, who identifies as a black lesbian Catholic in a same-sex marriage; Paul Raushenbush, an American Baptist minister and president of Interfaith Alliance; and Greg Garrett, a Baylor professor and columnist for Baptist News Global known for his public support of LGBT inclusion in churches.
Baylor University approved the event as a counterprogramming option amid backlash against the Turning Point USA gathering, which is expected to feature high-profile conservative speakers, including Donald Trump Jr.
Earlier this month, a Baylor spokesperson defended the decision to The Christian Post, stating: “As an academic institution, Baylor University is committed to ensuring open dialogue and the robust exchange of ideas and perspectives. We hold this commitment along with an obligation to provide a safe and nurturing educational environment within a caring Christian community. The University worked with the student organizations to align the event with institutional policies and procedures.”
In response, Texas Baptists issued a statement on April 10 acknowledging “strong concerns” from its members and said the organization was “working with University leadership to gather additional information, convey the seriousness of the concerns being shared, and consider an appropriate course of action.”
“We value our longstanding partnership with Baylor University and remain wholly committed to our long-held view of biblical sexuality as we equip churches to be faithful to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission,” the statement added.
Guarneri also acknowledged “similar concerns” about a Turning Point USA campus event at Baylor on the same day, titled “This Is the Turning Point.” While Guarneri did not specify the nature of these concerns, the tour is scheduled to feature President Donald Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., and U.S. “border czar” Tom Homan.
Guarneri said Texas Baptists have “worked to address” concerns about the event and called for a “return to civility in the public square,” adding, “We must uphold the long-held Baptist distinctives of religious liberty and religious freedom and refuse to engage in dehumanizing language or actions.”
Launched in 1886, the Baptist General Convention of Texas is a state denominational body of about 5,300 affiliated congregations across Texas, along with more than two dozen associated institutions in healthcare and education.
|
Click here: to donate by Credit Card Or here: to donate by PayPal Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794 Thank you very much and God bless you. |
Baylor, just like many other “Christian/Catholic” schools like TCU and Notre Dame have not been religious for many years.
Good riddance. It is no different than TCU and SMU. CINO.
Very true. The religous values and beliefs that motivated the founders of these universities are not shared by the people who control and run them today despite their public pronouncements and posturing. The neo pagan, hedonistic decadence is rather transparent.
Baylor values:
Shootings by basketball players
Football recruiting: “”Do you like white women? Because we have a lot of them at Baylor and they love football players.”
Soccer playing rapists.
They allowed dancing in the 1990s, and it’s been downhill ever since.
The BGCT is actually the liberal Southern Baptist group in Texas. The conservatives are the Southern Baptists of Texas. (Some churches affiliate with both). SBTC has around 2800 churches compared to BGCT with about 5300.
Interesting that Baylor has gone too far for the liberals.
Good
Well they could have a dance contest................
How far behind can the church of satan be?
My best friend’s daughter went to Baylor straight and came out (pun intended) lesbian. Her twin brother went to a United Methodist college fairly near Baylor straight and came out homosexual. Exercise caution even sending your kids to “Christian” schools, the demons are everywhere.
Hey, Baylor: FAFO.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.