ANNIKA WALL, MANAGING EDITOR
Wartburg College has hired the first pastoral intern, Rebecca Baird ’18. Baird will serve in the role for four years, while taking classes through Wartburg Theological Seminary to pursue a Masters of Divinity.
“It’s kind of teaching me how to take on this role of finding my
pastoral identity,” Baird said.
“I think this role of transitioning from a student to this role has been really challenging but also really validating in the sense that showing me that I can do this and am really called to be in this position.”
Baird began at Wartburg as an elementary education major, but said her calling was spiritual life and campus ministry. In the year between graduating Wartburg and starting the role of pastoral intern, Baird worked in education and married Tim Baird ’18. Baird began the position in July and was officially installed in the role during the Sept. 10 chapel service.
Baird has already helped with multiple Spiritual Life and Campus Ministry events, including preaching at the parting service during Orientation Week.
“It was kind of my first time in the pulpit in this role and I think that was memorable to me, introducing myself to the students I will eventually be graduating alongside and also reminding them that they are joining a community here at Wartburg College that is going to support them and love them,” Baird said.
As a Wartburg student, Baird was involved with Spiritual Life and Campus Ministry and worked closely with Brian Beckstrom, Dean of Spiritual Life at
Wartburg.
As pastoral intern, Baird has continued working with Wartburg students, specifically in Sanctuary, the campus’ Wednesday night service.
“Oftentimes she thinks things I wouldn’t think of because my years of being a [college] student are far behind me, and she still remembers what it was like,”Beckstrom said. “I feel like that gives us a better perspective as well.”
Baird’s office is located in the chapel tower and can be contacted at rebecca.baird@wartburg.edu
Knight Wire 
Leave a Reply