Chaplain Jessica “Jess” Kemp joined chapel and spiritual life (CSL) as a part-time assistant chaplain this semester. This position has not been filled since the 1990s, and its resurrection is a response to the growing involvement and responsibility of CSL on campus. Kemp will work to relieve some of the responsibilities of Alex Serna-Wallender, university chaplain, and aid relations with campus partners and students. Her role will focus on experimenting with and finding ways that the chaplain’s office can continue supporting the campus in its entirety: students, faculty, staff and organizations.
Following Serna-Wallender’s introduction to campus five years ago, there has been growth in the involvement of CSL across campus. Serna-Wallender has made himself readily available to all students — regardless of spiritual affiliation — expanding the outreach of CSL throughout campus. The assistant chaplain position returned primarily to continue the development of CSL through campus and student outreach. Funding for the assistant chaplain position is coming out of the Bishop Jones Endowment — money that is specifically allocated towards CSL programs.
Along with facilitating campus connections, Kemp will incorporate a new perspective into CSL based on her own experiences. Kemp mentioned the gender difference between her and Serna-Wallender as a distinguishing characteristic that may allow students to feel more comfortable consulting one chaplain or the other.
“We will be figuring out how we can both show up for students and support you all,” Kemp said.
Though Kemp is still new to campus, students are looking forward to the presence she will bring to CSL. Samuel Pappas, junior computer science major, is a two-year CSL fellow. Pappas, along with the 12 other CSL fellows, work to help the student body learn and grow in their spiritual development. The fellows work alongside the Chaplain — and now assistant Chaplain — to broaden engagement throughout campus in three sectors: spiritual life, multi-faith and Christian life.
Primarily, the CSL fellows lead programming meant to broaden and educate students on their spiritual horizons. Students are still unsure of what exactly the arrival of Kemp will look like in CSL, but have expressed anticipation of what she will bring. Pappas, for one, has not had much opportunity to engage with Kemp in her new role.
“I am looking forward to getting to know how she can change, or switch up or bring newness into the chapel,” Pappas said.
Kemp is a San Antonio local, and alumni of MacArthur High School, the University of Texas at San Antonio and Alamo Community College. She has been a part of the congregation at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church consistently and has fulfilled several roles within the church.
“That’s where I started serving, which is the throughline in my life,” Kemp said.
After leaving George W. Truett Theological Seminary School at Baylor University, she returned to Antioch to become the full-time minister of children, youth and young adults and is now in her seventh year in that position.
“I like to walk alongside folks during challenges in their lives,” Kemp said.
Kemp enjoys working with children, teens and young adults. Her interest in working in a campus chapel originated during her time as a graduate assistant for Baylor’s chapel program. In this environment, she got to experience working with college students and see the ways outreach looked different on a college campus.
“It felt good to be a part of their lives in that space,” Kemp said.
When thinking about her vision of CSL, Kemp likes to think that spiritual life waters or fertilizes the roots of each student’s garden, providing grounding principles and practices to nurture growth in other aspects of life.
“I am excited for the skills that she brings. Her ability to connect deeply and broadly with the community and … the vast array of brilliant ideas and opportunities that look to the whole student for how we care more deeply for ourselves and each other,” Serna-Wallender said.
If students are interested in contacting Kemp, they can book an appointment online through the Trinity Chapel and Spiritual Life webpage.
