October 5, 2024
As the school year kicks off at colleges and universities around Georgia, students arriving at school are greeted by friendly faces and helping hands courtesy of Georgia Baptist Collegiate Ministries.
Whether it’s through help moving into a new dorm room at Gordon State, a muffin snack at Valdosta State or a slice of pizza at Georgia Highlands, BCM students are eager to share the love of Christ with fellow students.
At the University of North Georgia, BCM students helped others move in, and their efforts were recognized by the school. Resident Assistant Jason Lyle said that multiple UNG staff members told him that, “the BCM crew was one of the most helpful groups this weekend.”
International students at Georgia State were treated to a lunch as part of their orientation. Volunteers from four local churches - First Baptist Woodstock, M28, Christ Covenant and Blueprint - helped greet and serve students. Some 250 students were served, and several expressed interest in becoming involved in the BCM community at the school.
At many schools, students were invited to BCM-hosted “welcome back” parties, including a lawn party at Valdosta State and one featuring gaga ball at the University of North Georgia.
Efforts to spread the gospel were evident at schools throughout the state. BCM volunteers at several schools manned information tables and tents to share information about Jesus and to invite students to participate.
Reaching new students is only part of the mission for BCMs. Equipping and encouraging current students is also crucial. At Columbus State, students were offered training in how to have gospel conversations on campus. And worship services were held at many schools across the state.
On top of events at the various schools, Georgia College BCM held a Freshmen and Transfer Retreat on Aug. 19 and 20 in Milledgeville, Ga. The event is designed to help newcomers connect to the BCM community, and leaders strive to form lasting relationships with students. Students at the retreat participated in many activities, including small group discussions and the legendary paint war hosted by Lakeside Baptist Church. Jonathan Bradley, a new transfer to Georgia College & State University, connected quickly with BCM leaders and is looking forward to a full semester of pursuing the Lord together with some loving and like-minded folks. “The FAT retreat was so welcoming and fun. It was great to get to know the BCM leaders so well,” he said.
BCMs are among the many outreaches funded by churches that give through the Cooperative Program, which has been described as the greatest evangelistic initiative of the modern church age. By supporting the Cooperative Program, churches provide the financial resources needed by the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, the North American Mission Board, and the International Mission Board to spread the gospel throughout the state, across the nation, and around the world.
BCM students use any opportunity to share the Good News. Second-year students Adam Whitney and Gray Walters were moving into their apartment at Georgia Tech when Adam realized that Gray was the only one who thought ahead to bring furniture and that he also needed furniture for his room. Driving around campus later that day, Adam noticed someone throwing away an office chair in one of the dumpsters on campus. The two decided they would return later and grab it for Adam’s room. While they were dumpster diving, a new student walked by looking for a building on campus. In the ensuing conversation, Gray shared the gospel with this student and invited him to BCM. The student later showed up at a BCM event to enjoy pizza and video games.
BCM volunteers are eager to share their faith and be the hands of Jesus to fellow students – even while dumpster diving!
