Supporting Scholars

Gallagher Fellowship Invests in Faculty and the Future

by Rachel Carlson

When faculty excellence is supported, the entire academic community benefits. That’s the philosophy behind the newly established Gallagher Faculty Fellowship funded by Lisa Gallagher, BBA ’89. This generous gift is designed to attract and retain top-tier faculty, ensuring students receive the highest quality education. The fellowship provides critical funding to support faculty research during the summer months, allowing them to focus on advancing their scholarly work without financial constraints.

Mitch Neubert, PhD, senior associate dean for Research and Faculty Development, knows how essential faculty support is for research, teaching and shaping the student experience.

“Faculty fellowships allow us to deepen our research, enhance our teaching and ultimately provide students with knowledge that is academically rigorous and practically relevant,” Neubert said. “These investments help us continue to build a university that attracts exceptional educators and eager learners.”

Publishing research is a rigorous and competitive process, requiring time, resources and significant dedication. Many faculty members balance their teaching load with research demands, making summer funding essential for producing high-quality academic work.

“Research is an extensive process – it involves identifying the right data, designing studies, repeating experiments to ensure accuracy, and multiple drafts and revisions,” Neubert said. “Faculty spend years refining their work before submitting it to a journal. Once submitted, they undergo an intensive peer-review process, receiving anonymous feedback from experts within their fields, which requires thoughtful and thorough responses. From initial idea to being published, this process can take three to four years.”

Faculty fellowships provide financial support and signal a commitment to academic excellence. By reducing financial pressures, these fellowships enable faculty to develop innovative teaching methods, conduct groundbreaking research and mentor students more effectively. This fosters an enriched learning environment where students thrive under faculty deeply invested in their fields.

“This fellowship is designed to support faculty members who demonstrate a strong commitment to our Christian mission, teaching and research,” Neubert said. “It is intended for professors who are advancing their fields through scholarly work, particularly those who are published in elite, premier journals within their disciplines, while also actively engaging students and bridging academic theory with real-world application.”

For Gallagher, this commitment to faculty growth stems from her own experience as a student. Raised in a family business, she knew early on that she wanted a business degree but also valued broader experiences before returning to the family enterprise. Baylor provided faculty and academic opportunities that equipped her for success.

“I had professors who challenged me to think differently and broaden my perspective,” Gallagher said. “That’s what great faculty do – they push students to grow academically and personally. My hope is that this fellowship will ensure future students have that same experience.”

Having benefited from exceptional faculty herself, Gallagher understands that great educators are the foundation of a thriving academic community. Her fellowship ensures Baylor can continue attracting and retaining faculty who inspire and challenge students.

“I give to Baylor because it’s like my family. I want it to succeed,” Gallagher said. “It’s already a top-tier university with a strong Christian foundation, but we must ensure that Baylor remains a place where people want to be – both students and faculty.”

By investing in faculty excellence, Gallagher is investing in the future of Baylor’s students, ensuring the next generation of business leaders will learn from some of the best minds in the field.

“This fellowship provides faculty with the resources to pursue innovative research and bring those insights directly into the classroom,” Neubert said. “That’s how we create an education that is both cutting-edge and deeply meaningful for students.”

Gallagher’s gift exemplifies the significant impact dedicated alumni can have on shaping their alma mater’s future, demonstrating that faculty support is one of the most effective ways to elevate the quality of education for years to come.

“Through this support, we are able to recruit and retain faculty who will impact students for years to come, creating a ripple effect of knowledge, mentorship and innovation,” Neubert said. “Lisa’s generosity ensures that Baylor remains a place where academic excellence thrives and faculty can make a lasting difference.”

Fostering Belonging

by Justin Walker

Jon and Dena Billington had provided regular support and endowments for various programs over the years, but knew they wanted to give more to Baylor University – they just weren’t sure in what capacity. Dena, a 1988 graduate with a BS in English, had an idea, but didn’t think it would be possible to put all the pieces together.

“I had an idea of how great it would be if freshmen had a mentor who was a student they could go to with questions,” Dena said. “That was just something on my heart.”

It was on Jon’s heart, too. The couple had sent all three of their children to Baylor, two of whom graduated from the Hankamer School of Business (HSB). When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they saw how different the college experience had become and how important it was for community to exist.

What happened next was purely a God thing, Dena said.

In the fall of 2023, Dena worked with Molly Ferguson, Baylor’s assistant vice president for Parent and Family Giving, to find an area to give to. There were great programs and areas to help, but none spoke to the Billingtons. Eventually, Dena described her idea to Ferguson, who responded with amazement.

Ferguson had just ended a call with former HSB dean Sandeep Mazumder, who planned to pilot a mentorship program at the Business School. The dean’s program sounded almost exactly like Dena’s proposal.

“It was like God put the same idea in both of our hearts at the same time,” Dena said. “We started conversations, and that’s how it came together.”

The Billingtons had found their area and endowed what is now known as the Billington Peer Leader Program, which serves first-year, Pre-Business students as they navigate the college transition at Baylor. By connecting incoming students with upperclassmen Business students, the program fosters deeper community within HSB and Baylor as a whole.

Madeline Prescott, a senior Entrepreneurship and Management major from Dallas, was part of the original pilot program her freshman year before the Billingtons’ involvement. The program was entirely optional at the time, but Prescott thought it would be a good experience.

“As a mentee, my biggest takeaway was the relationship I built with my mentor, Lily Short,” Prescott said. “Lily is wonderful, and I was able to ask her all of the questions I had – even the ones I felt were weird or dumb. She encouraged me to do things I wouldn’t have done otherwise.”

Prescott was so moved by her experience in the Peer Leader Program, she decided to become a mentor. She wanted to provide other students the same opportunities she was granted through the program. She has enjoyed watching students build relationships with one another and seeing them grow comfortable in their new surroundings.

“The program truly helps the freshmen navigate the questions they might think are annoying or weird,” Prescott said. “It’s important for freshmen to have someone to look up to, especially since we were very recently in their shoes.”

Thanks to the Billingtons’ generosity, the Billington Peer Leader Program has grown from an optional format with 40 students and seven leaders to a required component for all first-year, Pre-Business students with 78 leaders.

“It’s just awe-inspiring to see how God’s hand works when you let him,” Jon said. “This is making a difference in the students’ lives, not only while they are at Baylor, but for the rest of their lives.”

As the Billington Peer Leader Program continues to grow and increase its impact, the Billingtons hope it will serve as an example for other institutions to build belonging.

“We would love to see this be a beacon on the hill that people are attracted to and see the Business School being successful in,” Jon said. “We are going to continue to back this, and we hope other donors get involved and it becomes something ingrained in the fiber of Baylor.”

From Adversity to Advocacy

by Rachel Carlson

Tiffani Martin
MBA ’25
CEO, VisioTech
Dallas, Texas

Raised in a home where faith and determination went hand in hand, Tiffani Martin grew up believing that meaningful work begins with service. That belief stayed with her through life-changing health challenges, the founding of a mission-driven company and her decision to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business. Her story reflects a deep commitment to helping others access the tools and technologies they need to thrive in any situation.

Originally from Tallahassee, Florida, before relocating to Dallas in 1996, Martin was a multi-sport athlete, juggling AAU basketball, club volleyball and track year-round. Along with athletics, she had a strong love of entrepreneurship. She earned her undergraduate degree in Entrepreneurship from the University of North Texas.

“The entrepreneurial spirit that I have was embedded in me from my parents at a young age,” Martin said. “I learned everything I could about Microsoft Office, and at 12 years old, I started my own little marketing business creating business cards and brochures. Kids today probably don’t even know what brochures are.”

At 28, complications from type 1 diabetes caused the complete loss of her sight and required kidney and pancreas transplants, which she received at Baylor Scott & White in Dallas. During that same period, Martin married her husband, Richard. However, just two months later, she became seriously ill and was readmitted to the hospital. Unfortunately, she was experiencing kidney rejection.

From her hospital bed on the 14^th floor of Baylor Scott & White, Martin created VisioTech, a company whose mission is anchored in the belief that technology should be a tool for empowerment, not a barrier.

“VisioTech was really birthed out of pain,” she said. “Access to technology gave me back my independence and became my livelihood. I wanted to build something that would do the same for others.”

Encouraged by a friend to pursue graduate education and be a visible presence in academia, Martin began exploring MBA programs. Baylor quickly rose to the top of her list. While other programs focused on her disability rather than her intellect – questioning, for example, how a blind student could code – Baylor stood apart for recognizing her potential, not her limitations.

“When I met with Baylor, the first thing they asked was, ‘What do you need in order to succeed?’ And boom – I knew I had found home,” Martin said.

She was also amazed by Baylor’s efforts to increase accessibility across campus – including an inclusive science lab for blind and low-vision students.

“To me, that means you’re sensitive to what’s going on in the world right now,” she said. “In addition to the Christian values, the environment, the staff, students – it instantly felt like home.”

As Martin’s vision grows for VisioTech, she is shifting focus for her company toward accessibility in artificial intelligence (AI). Her MBA concentration in cybersecurity was a strategic move to help her learn more about AI governance and advocate for inclusive technology.

“We’re really focused on helping companies build AI products that are inclusive for all persons – persons with disabilities, persons from marginalized groups, Black and brown,” Martin said. “I think it’s necessary right now to ensure that we have ethical and responsible AI for everyone. These are my hopes for the future.”

Building on that mission, Martin is now pursuing a PhD through The PhD Project – an award-winning nonprofit that promotes diversity in the workforce, especially in academia and corporate leadership. Despite initial doubts about her ability to succeed in a doctoral program, she found confidence through the encouragement of retired Baylor professor Timothy Kayworth, PhD.

“He really empowered and uplifted me,” she said. “He assured me that I absolutely have the capabilities and talent to go through a program.”

Throughout her time at Baylor she encountered numerous faculty and staff members like Kayworth who impacted her journey.

“I really think Baylor has a one-of-a-kind faculty and staff,” she said. “Professor Nick Simmons inspired me to really look into cybersecurity and was always there to answer all my questions. Sammy Victor, whom I worked with in accommodations, always inquired about my insight and experience to help other students. Every time I have encountered a faculty or staff member, it has been remarkable. Truly transformative. They’ve all helped me out to get to the next step.” 

During her time at Baylor, Martin’s work gained recognition from Black Enterprise Magazine, the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities and the Dallas Business Journal. However, she views these accolades as just the beginning, using them as platforms to elevate the voices of the communities she represents.

“There is an added responsibility on my shoulders, but I welcome that,” she said. “If God is blessing me to touch and impact on this level, then it’s for a reason.”

At Baylor, Martin found not only an incredible graduate education but also a sense of affirmation.

“Baylor really leans into the scripture about being the salt of the earth,” she said. “They are developing Christian leaders to go out and impact the world. It’s the only place I’ve seen that produces top-tier talent grounded in Christian values.”

Although Martin has faced obstacles such as universities requiring GRE scores to get into a program, she wants to use the opportunity Baylor has given her by removing barriers like this to go out and transform the world.

“The GRE doesn’t really take into account some of the realities that people might face,” she said. “By removing the GRE requirement, Baylor granted me access to get into the program. I’m here to show that Baylor gave me an opportunity. I took that opportunity. I graduated with a 4.0 GPA. And now I’m going to try and change the world.”

Through her lived experiences, her entrepreneurial spirit and her commitment to advocacy, Martin is reshaping the conversation around accessibility, ability and inclusion. In doing so, she hopes to inspire others to go beyond her journey and achieve even greater heights.

“I’m hoping I can be a paradigm or hope for somebody else,” she said. “That they see what I did and go much, much farther.”

An Unexpected Path to Purpose

by Rachel Carlson

Haleigh Brown
BBA ’24
Investment Analyst; Hobby Lobby Investments
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Haleigh Brown grew up in Plano, Texas, with an upbringing filled with love and support from her family. Her childhood was shaped by her involvement in gymnastics, cheerleading and leadership roles at her school, Trinity Christian Academy. She also dedicated time serving at Watermark Community Church in Dallas, where she participated in mission trips and served as a student ministry intern.

Although Baylor University wasn’t initially part of Brown’s plan after high school, it ultimately became the journey that shaped her life and career. She grew up in a family that bled green and gold – her parents attended Baylor for both undergrad and law school and Brown loved Waco, Baylor traditions, and attending games and Homecoming. Yet, she was determined to create her own path and do something different from what was expected. Despite her initial reluctance, everything in her life continuously guided her back to Baylor.

“It was an emotional decision to attend Baylor, but I knew it was where I needed to be,” Brown said. “I knew it was where the Lord was calling me. I’m so glad He knew what He was doing and clearly had a plan. I truly wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today if it weren’t for my time at Baylor.”

Once at Baylor, Brown embraced every opportunity. She majored in Finance, Accounting and Mathematics through the Baylor Business Fellows Program, which allowed her to explore different academic interests.

“I’m still so grateful for that program,” she said. “It was amazing to mix and match and try different disciplines. Entering college, I knew I valued the analytical side of business, but I was also eager to experience the relationships business can create. Studying math allowed me to develop my analytical skills while connecting to the community in the Business School provided the relational aspect I was looking for.”

Beyond her studies, Brown was actively involved in several campus organizations. She served as director of member finance for Pi Beta Phi sorority, an analyst for the Large Cap Portfolio Management Practicum, a teaching assistant in the Department of Finance, and co-CEO of the Business, Excellence, Scholarship and Team (BEST) Program. Outside of Baylor, she led a life group at Harris Creek Baptist Church and founded You Knit Me Together Inc., a nonprofit supporting pregnancy centers protecting the sanctity of life.

“I feel very blessed,” Brown said. “I had so many amazing opportunities, and they weren’t necessarily things I sought out. It was just the Lord putting me in the right place at the right time with the right people.”

One of the most impactful experiences of Brown’s college career was serving as a senior analyst and chief of staff for the Baylor Angel Network (BAN), allowing her to work with real businesses, people and capital, while providing her with a deep understanding of startup funding and private company investing.

“I loved it. Being a BAN analyst meant spending long hours on difficult tasks, but it was the single most academically and educationally impactful experience of my time at Baylor,” she said. “Getting to work with entrepreneurs seeking funding was such a unique opportunity. As a college student, I was working with real companies, real dollars and the real dreams of founders, and I felt that what I was doing really mattered. Gaining both technical knowledge and real-world experience prepared me for the role I am in today.”

After graduating, Brown moved to Oklahoma City to begin her career at Hobby Lobby Investments (HLI), an investment firm started by David and Barbara Green, the founders of Hobby Lobby. HLI manages and expands investments beyond the core Hobby Lobby business on a global scale, focusing on private equity, real estate and venture capital.

In her role, Brown balances the relational and analytical sides of investing. She meets with potential investment opportunities and managers of existing investments to understand their strategies and areas of focus. The other half of her time is dedicated to financial analysis, due diligence, and evaluating whether investments are viable and align with HLI’s mission. Additionally, she assesses the firm’s existing portfolio to ensure long-term success.

“Getting to do what I do in a place where the entire mission is to give more money away is such a wonderful experience,” Brown said. “I’ve worked for other family offices where the culture was amazing, but when your company’s goal is to invest wisely so you can give more, it completely changes the atmosphere. There is a deep sense of stewardship in our office.”

Brown has been especially inspired by the authenticity and leadership of the Green family.

“The Green family is so authentic,” Brown said. “It’s rare to hear incredible things about a family and then see firsthand that they truly live by the values they espouse. I interact with them daily, and they are so humble and genuine. David Green always says there are two things that are eternal: God’s Word and man’s soul. That is what we are working for, it’s not about how much money we make or Hobby Lobby’s success.”

Another influential figure in Brown’s career has been Scott McLain, BBA ’84, the chief investment officer of HLI and former president and chief financial officer of Sonic. As a leader in the firm, McLain exemplifies stewardship and strategic decision-making, setting a standard that has helped shape Brown’s professional growth. His mentorship has provided her with valuable insights and opportunities to engage in meaningful discussions.

“He helps set the example in our office of what stewardship looks like, and that impacts how we approach our work,” Brown said.

Looking back, Brown is grateful for the support and guidance she received at Baylor, which has had a lasting influence on both her professional and personal life.

“The professors and everyone I interacted with were incredibly impactful academically, professionally and spiritually,” she said. “The Lord intentionally used Baylor to mold me into who I am today.”

From her early years in Plano to her time at Baylor and now at HLI, Brown’s journey shows how our paths are often directed by the people, experiences and values that shape us. What started as reluctance turned into a transformative experience, driving her toward a future filled with purpose and fulfillment.

Homegrown Leadership

by Justin Walker

Wesley Bryan
MBA ’16
Director of Business Development; Southwestern Health Resources
Waco, Texas

Wesley Bryan has never been one to shy away from complexity. Whether navigating the dynamics of a family board game or the challenges of healthcare, he’s always been drawn to environments at the intersection of thoughtful strategy and human connection.

Growing up, Bryan lived an active lifestyle, both physically and mentally. He enjoyed playing a variety of sports, including soccer – which sparked a passion for the Premier League and his favorite club, Chelsea F.C. He also liked playing board games with his family, building strategies and savoring victories.

“There are a lot of good memories of getting together throughout the years,” he said. “Thankfully, none of it ended up with us coming to blows over breaking the rules.”

As college rolled around, Bryan turned his attention to Baylor University. He was familiar with the culture, as his grandparents and parents attended Baylor, so he knew it would be a good fit for him.

“It was a logical next step in my education path,” Bryan said. “I’m not sure I questioned it much past that.”

Bryan entered Baylor as a Psychology major, spending a lot of time in the newly constructed Baylor Sciences Building. He appreciated the opportunity to work with and learn from great faculty who helped shape his time at Baylor. He initially chose the major as a path into medicine, and also saw during the program there was a lack of emphasis on mental health at the time.

Bryan realized he had a passion for the subject and pursued opportunities in the field. During his undergrad, he interned with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The experience was formative, he said, as he worked alongside inspiring clinicians trying to make a difference.

After earning his BS in Psychology in 2013, Bryan decided to pursue a master’s degree to better prepare himself for his career. Over the next year, he applied to and toured universities across the United States and was even accepted to several programs. But something kept pointing him back to Baylor.

“Baylor was and still is a well-respected program,” Bryan said. “But when I interviewed at Baylor, they spoke about teamwork. I can’t say that any other program talked about it. Having had exposure to the healthcare environment, teamwork is fundamental. It’s working with providers and nursing staff. It’s working with payers. It’s working with employers. It’s working with administrators and lobbyists and so many other folks from various walks of life.”

That distinction was enough for Bryan to choose Baylor’s Robbins Healthcare MBA Program, which he started in 2014. Housed within the Robbins Institute for Health Policy and Leadership at Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business, the Robbins Healthcare MBA develops the analytical and interpersonal skills required for early-career executive positions in healthcare.

Bryan immediately experienced the benefits of the program, specifically through his interactions with faculty and program staff.

“I had a great experience working alongside great faculty who were driven toward our success,” he said. “They often talked about their faith and how that intersects into not just healthcare but into business, as well.”

It wasn’t just the faculty, Bryan said. The alumni were also incredible resources for students to learn from and network with. The program also exposed Bryan to a variety of different industry professionals through visits to local healthcare organizations and industry conferences, such as the American College of Healthcare Executives Annual Congress.

“That was one of the standout aspects of the program,” Bryan said. “It’s not just the book smarts that come with academia, but the ability to interact with folks of higher positions – those in the C-Suite – and how we can interact with them as students who want to contribute to the healthcare industry in a positive way.”

During his MBA program, Bryan interned with Ascension Providence Hospital in Waco, and joined full-time shortly after. In 2021, he joined Baylor Scott & White Health, working his way up from client manager to director of Strategic Growth and Employer Solutions.

Bryan’s focus at work is rooted in a desire to help others – to help healthcare change for the betterment of people. His faith plays a major role in that.

“There are many, many nonprofit companies that have faith-based roots,” he said. “For me personally, I am so close to the healing of others and the provision of healing. Many times, I think of what Jesus did as the true Healer on Earth. It should be us trying – even in the slightest way – to exemplify what He brought to earth and the way He loved and healed people.”

Bryan continues to look for sustainable solutions in healthcare administration – solutions that treat the whole person, not just their ailment. His passion for helping others has opened the door for new professional opportunities, as he entered a new role as the director of Business Development for Southwestern Health Resources in June 2025.

Outside of work, Bryan is an active member of Highland Baptist Church in Waco, where he met his wife, Erin, who is also a Baylor grad. They stay busy chasing their 3-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter, and enjoy traveling to Erin’s home state of Colorado when they can.

Bryan is thankful for the opportunities Baylor opened for him and his family.

“My career was jumpstarted by the Baylor MBA program,” Bryan said. “Sure, I probably could have made it in the world in different ways. But I wouldn’t be where I am today, and in many ways, my family wouldn’t be where it is today if it weren’t for the Robbins Healthcare MBA program. It didn’t just inspire me to be part of change in healthcare – it helped me grow as a servant leader with strength, character and conviction.”

A Family Business

by Justin Walker

Ken Yu
BBA ’00
Missionary
Essen, Germany

Life is full of learning opportunities, and no one understands that better than Ken Yu.

Born in Singapore, Yu and his family moved to Richardson, Texas, in the mid-1980s, just before he turned 8. Although he knew English – the official language of Singapore – he had a self-described “wicked accent” and took ESL courses his first year in school. He was mindful of his speech, as he recognized his natural accent stood out amongst his classmates.

Although shy, Yu made close friends with other kids in his neighborhood. While faith wasn’t a big part of the Yu household, they made friends with local Christian families.

“We had a lot of church friends who took care of us, so to speak,” Yu said. “They knew we were not believers, but they were still welcoming.”

Yu was invited to the local youth group and attended regularly. Although he hadn’t yet accepted Christ, he knew he wanted to attend a Christian university when the time came. Baylor University checked off a lot of boxes: it was far enough away from home to have independence but close enough to still visit whenever he wanted, and it was a reputable school with a Christian focus.

In 1996, Yu arrived in Waco ready to study Information Systems at the Hankamer School of Business. He had long been interested in the hardware side of technology. In fact, he spent more hours disassembling his Sega Master System than playing it. Yu learned a lot from his studies, but the biggest takeaway wasn’t what he expected.

“One of my professors told us that technology doubles every six months,” Yu said. “I realized in that moment that he wasn’t truly teaching me the most up-to-date technology – he taught me how to learn. Once you learn one programming language, the second is easier.”

Learning to learn would become a major theme in Yu’s life. While many of his friends growing up were Christian, it wasn’t until he was at Baylor that he learned who Christ was. His roommate, Mike, played a huge role in introducing Yu to faith.

“He noticed I never went to church,” Yu said. “He was super persistent. Every Sunday, he would bang on my door until I answered. ‘It’s really important,’ he’d say. ‘We have to go to church.’”

While Yu may have been annoyed at the time, he’s thankful now that Mike cared for him in that way. Yu would accept Christ as his Lord and Savior – the first in his family to do so.

His family had also gone through major changes during this time. Yu’s father went to work in the Middle East during his senior year of high school and returned just after Yu graduated from Baylor in 2000, only to pass away just a year later.

“It was not a great year,” Yu said. “He passed away shortly before 9/11, and I was laid off as well. I had to grow up really fast.”

Yu had been working at MCI WorldCom prior to being laid off and needed to shift his focus slightly. He spent a number of years with various startups and then landed in information technology (IT) consulting. During this time, he met his wife, whom he married in 2007. He remembers having a conversation about work early in their relationship.

“When we were dating, I told her, ‘I see myself serving God one day,’” Yu said.

His wife, also a Christian, shared that revelation with her family, who were from a non-Christian background. Yu remembers their confusion and even understood their concerns.

“I had to let her family know I would take care of their daughter,” Yu said. “She was going to be fine, and she is fine.”

Yu enrolled at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) in 2011 studying Cross-cultural Ministry. He took classes part-time, but in 2016, his pastor sat him down to have a serious conversation.

“He asked me, ‘Ken, what do you want? It’s like you haven’t made up your mind,’” Yu said. “A short time after he asked that question, I realized I did want to serve 100 percent in ministry.”

When Yu quit his job later that year, the company questioned his decision. Yu didn’t. He started back at DTS full-time and graduated in 2017. Yu spent the next few years preparing for full-time ministry. That’s when his family put their learning to the test.

In 2019, Yu, his wife and their three daughters packed up their lives and moved to Essen, Germany. Yu began preaching at a Chinese church in Essen and led a Bible study.

“I prepare material, teach and consult in terms of relationships,” he said. “Anything the church needs, I do.”

It’s not just Yu serving – his whole family shares the calling.

“When I was in the interview process with my organization, they told me, ‘Ken, you’re not the only missionary in your family,’” Yu said. “Sure enough, our kids helped us open so many doors for conversations when we first arrived.”

Despite some initial challenges, the Yu family has found a home in their community. The German language can be very formal, Yu said, especially when first meeting people. Once a connection is made, the language relaxes.

“I remember the first time my neighbor corrected me,” he said. “She goes, ‘Yeah, we can start using informal.’ I was over the moon!”

As Yu reflects on his journey, he knows he wouldn’t be where he is today without his family’s support.

“We are a missionary family,” he said. “Without my wife’s backing, I don’t think I would be here. And without my kids, we don’t integrate into the community as smoothly.”

As his kids get older and start to look at colleges, Yu knows one campus he will be visiting with them – his alma mater, Baylor.

When it comes to his missionary work, Yu doesn’t know what the future holds. But he does know who holds the future.

“I often wonder why God called me to the field so late in life,” Yu said. “I don’t know the answer, but it’s how things worked out. In the meantime, whatever God throws at me, I’ll find a way to serve.”