Minister Spouse Fellowship provides community, encouragement to attendees

“It’s powerful for me to see everything y’all are doing around the state. Being a support to your spouses in ministry is so important, but you’re also doing your own ministries and making a huge impact. And I’ve loved traveling around and seeing that,” Monica Guarneri, wife of Texas Baptists Executive Director Julio Guarneri, said at the Minister Spouse Fellowship at the 2024 Texas Baptists Annual Meeting.

The gathering, hosted by Mrs. Guarneri and Tracy Christina, wife of Associate Executive Director Craig Christina, was a chance for the spouses of pastors and ministers to meet, bond over shared experiences and learn together. It was held at the Mayborn Museum on Baylor University’s campus. 

Attendees heard from two speakers, Robin Marriott and Brad Livingstone. Marriot is the wife of Texas Baptists President Ronny Marriott and first lady of the BGCT,  as well as a designated relocation and luxury realtor with Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty. Livingstone is husband of Baylor University President Linda Livingstone and first gentleman of the campus. He also teaches history at Vanguard College Preparatory School in Waco.

Marriott told the group she had been raised in a ministry household and that she and her husband had been in ministry together for 37 years. She encouraged the spouses to focus on finding the fun parts of ministry to carry them through the difficult times. 

“Ministry is hard work; you have to find the fun side to make the tough parts easier,” she said.

She shared her hope that the connections made during the fellowship would help them during tough seasons. She reminded them that they are all on the same team and could be sources of encouragement for each other.

“We are working together to paint a beautiful picture of the kingdom of God,” she said.

Following Marriott’s remarks, Livingstone shared about the challenges of being the first first gentleman following his wife’s appointment as the first female president at Baylor University. He explained that as the spouse of the president, he had certain responsibilities, but he modified them to be more authentic to his character.

“I was given particular jobs as the spouse of the president of Baylor,” he said. “They didn’t know what to do with me, and even after eight years, I’m still writing my own book.”

He decided to commit to getting involved with students, and Livingstone walks around campus with the couple’s dog each evening, praying for all the students they pass by. He shared a story of passing one girl and feeling the Lord nudge him to speak to her. He and the dog approached her, and he discovered she had been crying. The dog provided her comfort, and Livingstone encouraged her and let her know the Lord understood her pain. 

When asked how he decided what his role as first gentleman at Baylor would look like, he said he chose things that he felt God had placed on his heart. As ministers’ spouses, he said, everyone wants you to be a part of everything. He encouraged the spouses to find the things they are passionate about and do those wholeheartedly instead of stretching themselves thin by getting involved with everything.

“Pick and choose the things that God has given you a passion about and form your life around that,” he said.