For many, the path to full-time ministry begins with involvement in Baptist Collegiate Ministry
The Tennessee Baptist Mission Board has a dozen or so staff members who were part of a Baptist Collegiate Ministry at some point while attending college. Below are just a few testimonials that express the impact BCM had on their faith and ministry today.
I am an alum of UT Martin and attended their BCM in college, which helped me grow in my love for Jesus. I didn’t go to UTM with the best intentions, but during this time, God worked in my life to bring me to Him. UTM’s BCM has a big emphasis on discipleship — I was discipled as a student by the Men’s Campus Missionary, Luke Love. He took me under his wing and showed me what it looks like to live for God and how to practice the spiritual disciplines, such as Bible reading, prayer, and fasting. One of my favorite ministries as a student was Impact Teams, where three students would lead a local church’s Sunday service — a male student would preach, and the other students would share a BCM testimonial and explain what the BCM does on campus. Through this ministry, I discovered a deeper love for studying Scripture in sermon preparation.
— Dakota Martin, Accounting Assistant | UT Martin, Class of ’23
Nothing shaped my college experience quite as profoundly as my involvement with the BCM. While my university pushed me academically and offered outlets for spiritual growth and community, it was at BCM Cleveland where I discovered a home, a family, and a calling to ministry. In addition to providing a wealth of opportunities to engage with others on campus, in our city, and around the world, BCM gave me a community that did life together, loved well, and challenged one another to grow. I had never experienced anything like that before. The more involved I became, the more I loved it. God used my BCM experience — including serving in leadership and on SendTN missions — to prepare my heart for vocational ministry. Participating in BCM during college changed my life, and I have now been serving on BCM staff for almost ten years. It is still my favorite thing!
— Grace Johnson, Collegiate Ministry Specialist Associate | BCM Cleveland, Lee University, Class of ’17
College can be lonely, and for me, the pandemic made it even more so. But in 2020–21, the BCM was one of the few places where community was still happening. I was welcomed with open arms from day one. People remembered my name, invited me for coffee, and gathered for Bible studies. Even when the world felt shut down, God’s Word wasn’t! One of my favorite memories was a local pastor coming in to speak on apologetics — walking us through how creation points to a Divine Creator and how the Bible is one of the most historically reliable ancient texts in existence. As someone surrounded by skeptics on campus, it was exactly the encouragement my faith needed.
— Zoë Watkins, Communications Specialist | MTSU BCM, Class of ’21
I grew up in a Baptist church and was saved at age 8. When I entered college, I had never heard of the BSU (now BCM) — my suitemate introduced herself to me and invited me to BSU on my first night on campus. I went and met Jim Alexander, BSU Director, who told me about the Bible studies, Wednesday lunches, and mission trips. I was a resident at the BSU for three years and went on several short-term mission trips (S.P.O.T.S.) and loved serving others and God. My junior year, Jim asked me what I was doing for the summer and suggested I apply to serve at GA Camp through WMU. I served at GA Camp that summer. BSU taught me about serving God, the Cooperative Program, and GOTM, and introduced me to the Executive Board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention (now TBMB). I am serving at TBMB today because of my experience at the BSU.
— Bernie Baker | Austin Peay State University, Class of 1990
As a freshman, I found much-needed community at the BCM. I had plenty of Bible knowledge, but BCM introduced me to the importance of evangelism and discipleship in my walk with the Lord. I learned that identifying as an introvert was no excuse to sit on the sidelines when it came to telling others about Jesus. A specific experience that changed me was Beach Reach — it taught me how to share the Gospel more effectively and become comfortable with being uncomfortable for the cause of Christ. My involvement with BCM resulted in lifelong friends, new leadership skills, a deeper understanding of God’s character, and an increased love for others. As graduation approached, my BCM Collegiate Specialist, Jonathan Chapman, let me know of an open position at TBMB. The Lord used BCM to lead me on my journey here.
— Mackenzie Souder, Accounting Assistant | ETSU BCM, Class of ’24
Through BCM, I went on my first mission trip while attending Roane State. That experience fueled a passion in me to serve, and I ended up going on every mission trip the Roane State and MTSU BCMs offered during fall and spring breaks throughout college. One of my favorites was Beach Reach — God really used that trip to teach me boldness in sharing Jesus with other college students. BCM helped me grow in the Lord, stay connected to the local church, and continue serving while in school. It also gave me a place to take a break from the school day, make new friends, and get into His Word with other believers.
— Carrie Kidd, Ministry Assistant | MTSU BCM, Class of ’07 & Roane State BCM, Class of ’04
