Choate standing outside the newly remodeled BCM building at Vanderbilt University in 2022. Joining him were Vanderbilt BCM director Tiffany Hudson, former Vanderbilt BCM director Thom Thornton, and Belmont BCM director Cole Rogers. — All photos on his page are contributed or B&R file photos
FRANKLIN — William “Bill” Choate, a longtime leader of Baptist Collegiate Ministry in Tennessee whose influence shaped generations of college students, died Dec. 19 at age 67.
Choate served Tennessee Baptists through the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board for 42 years. His ministry included roles as associate campus minister at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1984–89); campus minister at Vanderbilt University (1989–99); and director of collegiate ministries for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board (1999–2025).
“Bill never wavered from a vision that Baptist Collegiate Ministry is built on the foundation of evangelism, discipleship, missions, leadership development and local church engagement,” said Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. “It is impossible to comprehend the impact he’s had on the lives of thousands of young people throughout his faithful ministry. His was a life well lived and certainly an example to us all.”
Two of Bill Choate’s favorite things were spending time with his family and riding his bicycle, a hobby he enjoyed on an almost-daily-basis.
Under Choate’s leadership, Tennessee Baptist Collegiate Ministry expanded significantly, with collegiate ministry specialists and staff serving more than two dozen state universities, private colleges and universities, and community colleges. In 2024 alone, more than 21,000 students connected with BCM through intentional ministry initiatives.
Of those, 3,300 were actively involved in weekday activities, many focused on discipleship. More than 550 students participated in leadership development, 165 expressed a call to vocational ministry, 640 engaged in short-term missions, and 120 came to faith in Christ and were baptized in local churches.
Bill Choate, front, loved being involved with Baptist Collegiate Ministry and interacting with leaders and students.
Choate was an integral part of the national Baptist Collegiate State Directors Association and most recently served as the organization’s president.
He also led the TBMB’s Issachar Team during the COVID-19 season; served nearly three years as TBMB Harvest Field 3 leader; chaired a committee on the TBMB Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response Task Force; and served for many years as staff liaison to the TBMB Collegiate Ministries Committee and liaison to the Tennessee Baptist Convention Historical.
Choate is remembered as a steady leader whose life reflected a deep commitment to Christ, the local church and the next generation of believers.
He was ‘always there’
Compiled by Baptist and Reflector
FRANKLIN — Bill Choate was a leader of leaders.
During his 40 years of ministry with the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, Choate continually influenced and impacted lives through his work with Baptist Collegiate Ministry.
Bill and Jennifer
Always willing to share his wisdom and experience — and always doing so with openness and kindness — Choate was known for his steady leadership, his relentless work ethic, his humble intelligence, his dry humor and his loyalty.
One instance, in particular, showcased Choate’s caring nature and his amazing recall. While giving a brief report about BCM at a TBMB event, Choate rattled off the names — and the spouses’ names — of every BCM specialist in the TBMB footprint. He also included the names, and the ages, of all their children, along with where the family lived, and where the parents grew up. It was an impressive display that wowed the entire room.
Above all else, though, Choate was a friend, an encourager and a Christ-follower who longed for others to know the Savior.
Below is a sampling of thoughts from some who worked under Choate’s leadership:
“What was impactful to me is that I knew that Bill believed in me, even when I didn’t really believe in myself.”
— Grace Johnson
TBMB Collegiate Ministry Specialist, Lee University
“I remember before I came to UT Martin, (I was) interviewing with Bill and being considered for other positions. But Bill, in his wisdom, knew those opportunities weren’t the right fit. He was so good at knowing who would be a good fit at which specific campus.”
— Morgan Owen
TBMB Collegiate Ministry Specialist, UT Martin
“I just remember walking away after the initial meeting with Bill going, ‘There’s something different about him, and he really cares about you as an individual.’ I really wanted to work for him, and I’m glad that I had the opportunity to do so.”
— Tiffany Hudson
TBMB Collegiate Ministry Specialist, Vanderbilt University
“I remember (on one trip) Bill cooked us dinner at the end of the day, and I was just blown away, because I’m thinking, ‘This is who I’m aspiring to be as a campus minister.’ I was just so impressed by that; by just learning that skill, serving in that way.”
— Rodney Norvell
TBMB Collegiate Ministry Specialist UT Knoxville
“I haven’t talked to all the Tennessee campus ministers, but I’ve talked to several, and all of them have spoken with reverence and love and appreciation for Bill, and it’s only matched by Bill’s love for them.”
— Bill Enfelt
Alabama BCM Director
“I’ll find myself (in the midst of BCM duties) thinking, ‘Well, what would Bill say in this moment?’ And that’s really been helpful for me in my job.”
— Shelby Hall
TBMB Collegiate Ministry Specialist, MTSU
“Working here at BCM has changed my family’s life. I have a respect for Jesus and for ministry that BCM has really been a big part of shaping, and I owe Bill a debt of gratitude for taking a chance on me.”
— Steven Johnston
TBMB Collegiate Ministry Specialist, UT Chattanooga
“Bill was somebody I could count on being accessible. And I recall thinking, ‘Let’s see what Bill would say about this.’ I would go through all the options, and he would just look at me and say, ‘I know, right?’ It wasn’t ever a real answer, but he was trying to get me to think and navigate a lot of situations. That’s helped me in ministry and in life in general.”
— Cole Rogers
TBMB Collegiate Ministry Specialist, MTSU
B&R — Editor’s note: For a full obituary, see the Jan. 7, 2026 issue of the Baptist and Reflector or click here.
