Collegiate Ministries reports strong year through campus outreach

Fall semsester orientation is underway statewide as shown Monday at the University of Georgia in Athens. As freshmen flood campuses, BCM groups are among those building visibility among other campus groups. JOE WESTBURY/Index

Georgia Baptist State Missionary Joe Graham has given direction to Collegiate Ministries for nearly two decades and, he says, each Fall brings a fresh new excitement to his department. His total tenure with Georgia Baptists spans 35 years, including time as a campus minister and department consultant.

For the past several years he and his Duluth-based team have worked with campus ministers to build a solid Georgia Baptist presence among the 45 campuses where full-time and volunteer campus ministers serve.

As of July 16, the impact of the ministry continues to expand. Graham reports that 42,497 students have been reached in the past calendar year with 4,289 of them involved on a weekly basis.

ABAC BCM officer and Bible study leader Ashley Perl assembles welcome bags for incoming freshmen at the Tifton campus. All BCM groups have their biggest enrollment push the second week in August as students return to campus. PENNY CHESNUT/Special

And among them, 348 conversions were recorded … a 33 percent increase from the previous year. A total of 178 other conversions from BCM ministries, an increase of 16 percent, were also recorded. Salvations recorded through summer missions will not be available until August when the reports are received.

Graham says 1,423 collegians were actively involved in evangelism with 282 preparing for church vocations.

A total of 616 international students were reached through a variety of special events, a 40 percent increase over the previous academic year.

Collegians in summer/semester service topped out at 783, up  20 percent from the earlier year.

BCM assisted 389 local churches while 2,375 collegians received education about the Cooperative Program.

Jacksonville, Fla. native Ashley Perl is one of the many BCM members who say that the organization isn’t just a place of worship and fellowship, but family. That is an important part of how the group reaches students throughout the year and builds stronger believers.

"My heart is fully involved in the BCM because I love the ministry. Being able to take a break from our crazy college schedules to build relationships, fellowship over a meal, and have a Bible study is heartwarming. Penny Chesnut really takes time to pour into each of her students.

"This Fall will be my third year attending BCM, and it’s helped me grow so much spiritually. Having the opportunity to lead a girls Bible study, I love teaching them the importance of reading their Bible and having a quiet time.

"ABAC BCM has taught me the true meaning of what seeking Jesus and making disciples is all about. I couldn’t choose a better ministry to be involved in."