May 20, 2025
Hundreds of students from Georgia’s universities spent Spring Break serving others, traveling to communities near and far to share the hope of the gospel. Organized by Baptist Collegiate Ministries, these trips allowed students to forgo vacation time to minister and serve in practical ways.
The Georgia Baptist Mission Board's college ministry catalyst, Beverly Skinner, said, “Spring Break Mission Trips are one of our best discipleship tools in BCM. Students experience what it means to join God in His mission and discover what He can do through them when they follow Him. The Kingdom of God is enlarged and lives are changed through Spring Break Mission Trips!”
Ken Jones, Baptist Campus Minister at Kennesaw State University, led a team from KSU and Dalton State College to New York City. “While many students were soaking up the sun on the beaches of Florida,” he said, “Kennesaw State BCM students were serving the Son on the streets of New York City!” Students led church services and community outreach at Graffiti Church, served meals at The Bowery—the oldest ongoing ministry in New York City—and ministered through The Prodigal Center in the Bronx.
Closer to home, other KSU and DSC students partnered with the Noonday Association and Eastwood Baptist Church to assist those in need at the Clarkston Refugee Center.
Students from Georgia State University were also spread out, with some serving in Augusta and others in Denver.
Meanwhile, David Kirkland led 40 students from Georgia College and State University to Charleston, S.C., where they worked with local ministries and partnered with BCMs at The Citadel and College of Charleston. Kirkland reported “countless gospel conversations” and described the students’ efforts as a source of encouragement for area churches.
Students from South Georgia State College’s Douglas and Waycross campuses, led by Greg Benfield of the Piedmont Okefenokee Baptist Association, worked alongside Reedy Branch Baptist Church in Broxton. Their service projects extended throughout the day, while evenings were spent surveying the community.
Further north, Kayleigh Riker and University of North Georgia students from the Gainesville and Dahlonega campuses traveled to Spartanburg, S.C., aiding Disaster Relief teams in clearing debris left by Hurricane Helene
In an international effort, Keith Wade led another group from UNG to Lima, Peru, where they partnered with Victoria Total to offer Vacation Bible School and even had the opportunity to preach.
Valdosta State University’s BCM team remained in Georgia, serving in St. Marys. Campus missionary Conner Knuckles described their work, which included local church projects, backyard Bible clubs, a block party, and assisting a special needs ministry. “Students saw one person come to faith, and many gospel seeds were planted,” he reported.
Georgia Southern students headed west to Colorado, where Chris Bryan said they worked with SBC churches, including The Avenue Church in Aurora and The Local Church in Arvada. “We did everything from neighborhood evangelism to youth and children’s ministry,” he said, adding that students also partnered with Ronald McDonald House for community outreach. Shorter University students traveled west also, to Big Timber, Montana.
In Brunswick, students from the University of West Georgia and Georgia Tech collaborated with local churches on service projects. They were later joined by students from the College of Coastal Georgia and Valdosta State University for a worship night. “The students worked hard to step out of their comfort zones and share the love of Christ with those in the community through street evangelism and gospel conversations,” said campus missionary Tara Carter.
From city streets to international mission fields, Georgia’s college students made the most of their Spring Break, demonstrating faith in action and bringing the gospel to those in need.
