CONTINUING WILLIAM CAREY'S LEGACY
Dr. Rebekah Naylor
Retired Southern Baptist Missionary to Bangalore, India
William Carey University Chapel Speaker
November 30, 2022
Photo and Biography, courtesy,
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Distinguished Professor of Missions;
Missionary-in-Residence
Southwestern
Baptist Theological Seminary
Fort Worth, Texas
Naylor made her profession of faith at just
5 years old, and eight years later accepted God’s call to become a medical
missionary. After graduating from Baylor University with her B.A. degree in
chemistry in 1964, she then completed her Doctor of Medicine degree
at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, in
1968. Her surgical training was completed 1973, after which she was certified
by the American Board of Surgery and became a fellow of the American College of
Surgeons.
In 1973, Naylor was appointed to the Foreign Mission Board (now International
Mission Board). Following a 13-week orientation that prepared her for the
mission field and a semester of studies at Southwestern Seminary, Naylor
was deployed to Bangalore, India, as a general surgeon, evangelist, and church
planter.
Naylor served at Bangalore Baptist Hospital (BBH) from 1974-2002, during which
time the hospital experienced significant growth. While
Naylor’s initial appointment was as a clinical surgeon, she eventually assumed
the positions of chief of medical staff, administrator, and medical
superintendent. Under her supervision, BBH expanded patient care services and
increased its capacity from 80 to 160 beds.
Naylor also supervised the construction in Bangalore of the Rebekah Ann Naylor
School of Nursing in 1996. She later became its professor of anatomy and
physiology and saw the first class graduate in August 1999.
Besides serving as a missionary surgeon and professor, Naylor also worked as a
strategy coordinator and church planter for the International Mission Board in
the state of Karnataka, India, from 1999 to 2009. During this time, she worked
with the medical ministry and Indian pastors to help plant 900 churches in the
state.
Upon her return to the United States, Naylor joined the faculty of the
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas and taught in the
surgery department. She was promoted to associate clinical professor of surgery
in 2007 and served in that capacity until her retirement in 2010. She then
began serving as a global healthcare consultant for Baptist Global Response,
mobilizing and training healthcare personnel to meet needs around the world.
She also helped found Mercy Clinic, a free medical clinic for the uninsured,
low-income population of southern Fort Worth, and has previously taught at
Southwestern Seminary as an adjunct professor of missions.
Dr. Rebekah Naylor - Carey Chapel Address (video)
Scripture Text - Psalm 139
November 30, 2022 - Carey Chapel ProgramCreated: December 13, 2022 Updated: December 14, 2022