We Will Treat One Another with Dignity and Respect

By Jerry Hill
Baylor Bear Insider
            Officing next to Holly McKenzie, John Maurer can't help but notice the line of student-athletes waiting to see Baylor's Senior Sports Ministry Coordinator.

            "Whether it's going to play softball or having some fun on the side or meeting for women's Bible study every week with the staff," said Maurer, Director of Sports Ministry, "you have been a joy to everyone you have met. Your ability to love the Lord and to love others, and to welcome them into your life and meet them where they are has been such a gift to so many here at Baylor."

            McKenzie, who won the staff award for treating others with dignity and respect, came to Baylor in July of 2022 after seven years in a similar role with Athletes in Action at the University of Wisconsin. She provides leadership to ministry with women's student-athletes, coaches and athletic staff.

            "I really appreciate all that you've done to pour into (the women's Bible study) and really bring us closer," said Kristen Bartiss, athletic trainer for the soccer team. "You really bring a light into the program, into athletics. One of my favorite things about you is that you always seem to be happy and you always seem to be doing anything you can to help others."

            Dani Price, the softball team's director of operations, will join McKenzie and a group of student-athletes on a mission trip next month to San Jose, Costa Rica, where they will work with Hope Sports to help build a house and minister to local children through sports.

            "I think the biggest thing you give to people is you give them space and time and your attention," Price said. "You act like you have all the time in the world, and we know that you don't. But you make them feel like they're the most important thing. You live out not only what it means to be a Baylor Bear and to lead in sports ministry, but also to just be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ."

            Holly is a shining example of Colossians 3:12 in the way she treats others with "compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

            "Even though you may have back-to-back meetings or other commitments," Bartiss said, "you're always taking time out of your personal life to make sure that you're pouring into the student-athletes, as well as our staff, and just showing up and being present in everybody's life."

We Will Treat One Another with Dignity and Respect

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