A Full Campus, a Full First Week: The DBU Family Reunites for the Fall Semester

With students back on campus for the 2026 Fall Semester, Dallas Baptist University welcomed the DBU Family and guest speakers, Jonathan "JP" Pokluda and Jennie Allen, to launch a full week of events, worship, and reminders to focus on God's truth.

As the Patriots entered the Patty and Bo Pilgrim Chapel sanctuary doors Monday morning, they were greeted by cards placed by DBU faculty and staff, which held prayers, verses, and words of encouragement for them as they began the fall semester. They were then led by DBU's Chapel Worship in a time of worship, followed by a warm welcome from DBU President Adam C. Wright.

Continuing a University tradition, Dr. Wright led the student body in reading the theme verses selected for the 2026 academic year, Jeremiah 29:12-13, along with a reading of The Lord's Prayer and a reminder that Chapel is meant to serve as a foundation to keep Christ at the center of everything DBU says and does.

Then, Jonathan "JP" Pokluda, a DBU Trustee, author, speaker, and Lead Pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church, took the stage to share a message with students on the first day of classes.

Referencing John 14:6, JP emphasized that the truth can only be found in Jesus and that He is the only way to experience true life. "Jesus Christ, the one in whom all things were created, He gets to define and decide and determine and tell you what is true," JP said.

Bringing the excitement of the first day into the evening, students gathered on the Quad for the Welcome Block Party, featuring on-campus organizations where they could connect with others and find opportunities to get involved on campus.

On Tuesday, DBU's Chapel Worship invited students to Pilgrim Chapel for their Live Record, where they heard eight original songs and worshipped together.

Beginning Wednesday morning with another Chapel session, DBU welcomed Jennie Allen, a speaker, author, podcaster, and Founder and Visionary of IF:Gathering and one of seven regional chapters within Gather25.

Drawing from Romans 8:5-6, Jennie encouraged students to train their minds to see the truth of Jesus, reminding them that fears, temptations, and anxieties lose their power when they are confronted with the truth. "When we set our minds on truth, when we set our minds on the Spirit, when we set our minds on the things of God, things begin to change," Jennie concluded.

As students made their way to the John G. Mahler Student Center's Great Hall later that day, they were welcomed to the Baptist Student Ministry's (BSM) first FLOW (Free Lunch on Wednesday) of the semester. That afternoon, students were encouraged to take a break, grab a snack, and join Student Life for a Pepsi Break with their fellow classmates.

On Thursday evening, churches packed the Union for BSM Coffeehouse, an annual event where students met with various churches and learned how they could get involved in a church home.

Concluding the first week of the fall semester on University Hill, DBU's Student Life hosted a Sellar Night, where students gathered to celebrate through fellowship, food, games, and music.

As the DBU Family marked the beginning of another semester, students prepared to set their minds on Christ as they began their classes and looked forward to new opportunities.