Young adults all over Virginia are actively engaged in God’s Kingdom on their campuses and in the communities surrounding their schools. Read their stories and check out their videos and photos to get the latest news direct from several of our Collegiate Ministers on the frontlines.
Averett University
EB Mark, Campus Minister at Averett shares, “Heading into my third year as the campus minister at Averett University, I wasn't sure what to expect. I had seen our ministry grow from 5-10 students to around 40 students by my second year. Could I expect more? Where would God take us from here? I was absolutely amazed at our first Free Thursday Lunch (held every Thursday and provided by local churches) when we had 55 students. The next week was even bigger with over 60 students. During our luncheons we have had missionaries from Ireland come and students share testimonies, small group discussions on the nature of God, and clear Gospel presentations. God showed me that He is alive and well at Averett University!”
“There are students asking for Bible Studies and worship services and opportunities to serve the community. We are planning to serve the Danville community by working with a homeless feeding project, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity and God's Storehouse (our local Food Bank). We are also working on getting a brand-new Adopt-a-Student program up and running as a way for our students to connect with local families who are interested in investing in college students. So far there are 30-40 students who have expressed interest in the program. We are looking forward to more events - tailgates, hiking trips, conferences, etc. There is truly a fresh spirit about our Christian Student Union.”
College of William and Mary
Christina Covington, a student at W&M, served with the Ignite Ministry during the World Cup with our partners in South Africa this summer. Read her blog entry, Views from Ignite, giving her impressions from the mission field.
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Christina on mission in South Africa. |
The creative students of the W&M collegiate ministry have produced several videos:
Jeffrey Buffkin, Collegiate Minister at W&M, reported that one of his students, Amanda Mouring wanted to do urban ministry during the summer of 2010. He suggested she consider serving with Alkulana, a camp for inner-city children of Richmond where he had served in as a young adult. After looking into it and praying, she decided to apply. As a result of her time there, Amanda is considering pursuing social work and using that to further the kingdom of God.
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Amanda at camp (wearing black “SF” shirt in the middle). |
George Mason University
Watch videos from the students of GMU – The first, a promotional piece for the student ministry and the second, footage taken during the Kingdom Connections event sponsored by InView Ministries which included returning students, freshmen, and rising high school seniors from local churches.
James Madison University
On Saturday, September 25, 2010, prior to the JMU vs. Liberty game, members of JMU’s Christian Student Union (CSU) held a tailgate in however, this was not your usual pre-game tailgate. Members distributed free freeze pops to fellow tailgaters. With the recent crack downs and controversy surrounding the tailgating situation, CSU decided tailgaters could use an uplift in spirit. What better way to accomplish that than a random act of kindness and a cooling treat?
“This tailgate was different from those we have held in the past because it simultaneously combined building community within our group and reaching out to our fellow students,” says CSU’s Vice President of Programs, Heather McCollum. Christian Student Union’s Campus Outreach Coordinator, Varsha Thomas, adds “We were handing out freeze pops because it was a simple way to spread Christ’s love to others. Plus, who doesn’t like free stuff?” CSU holds two to three campus outreach events per semester in an attempt to be a presence on campus and spread some joy along the way. Past events have included handing out Easter eggs full of candy, delivering care packages, and passing out hot chocolate. During the next event, which will be held November 17, members of CSU will be emptying trash for students living in dorms. Thomas says, “The goal of our outreach ministry is to find ways to serve others on campus.” The CSU members handed out over 200 freeze pops to a very receptive crowd. “It was great,” said Brittany Jones, another member of CSU, “We had so much fun, and the tailgaters really seemed to appreciate it.”
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Longwood University
Collegiate Ministry at Longwood experienced exponential growth in 2009 – the number of students participating in their weekly Connections gathering doubled! According to Cheri Wise, Collegiate Minister, “God did a mighty work among us last year. We have outgrown our building and are excited about expanding it! We've had plans drawn for the expansion and a fundraising campaign will begin soon!”
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| Weekly Connections gathering. |
Longwood Collegiate Ministry will to be sending students on two mission trips this winter break. In May they went to New York City and helped feed the homeless at the Bowery Mission. The students were so changed by the experience that a group is going back this December. They are also taking a team to Haiti to help with the rebuilding efforts. This will be the first time we have two winter break mission trips!
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| Students serving breakfast to 150 homeless men and women. |
Club fair at Longwood where we talked to students and invited them to BCM. |
Longwood Collegiate Ministry is also trying to build a ministry at Hampden-Sydney College, which is about five miles from the Longwood campus. Students participated in their freshmen orientation. They gave out welcome packets with snacks and an invitation to BCM. As many as 19 Hampden-Sydney guys have attended Connections so far this year!
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Giving out freezer pops at Hampden-Sydney College. |
Old Dominion University
Brett Baddorf, Interim Collegiate Minister at ODU shares, “The BCM at ODU is situated across street from the university and yet our biggest dilemma seems to be the fact that the average student does not know we or our ministry to them exists. We do get some students who see us and wander in looking for ministry or a place to find friends, but overall this is pretty rare and certainly not overreaching when you look to the other 22,000 students on campus.”
The group has several new ideas for making their presence known on campus and for making Christ’s presence more apparent as well. These include actively ministering to international students, partnering with other Christian groups on campus, and starting a Sunday house church event. Additionally, the student ministry is working to strengthen relationships local churches.
University of Mary Washington
Nothing builds community better than serving and having fun together. See the UMW students in action!
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| Bowling Night | |
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| Bowling Night | Lunches for Micah |
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| Lunches for Micah (a local homeless ministry) | |
University of Richmond
The Christian Student Fellowship (CSF) at the University of Richmond is excited to have a core group of very passionate students who are leading the fellowship in acts of teaching and service. Our leaders are excited about the year and have big dreams for reaching the campus!
Lately we have been discussing busyness, Sabbath, and how to turn aside from our daily routines in order to hear God's voice. There have been wonderful discussions during our Thursday evening meetings concerning how we can listen for God and hear his call in our lives! We are dreaming big by looking at what God is calling us to THIS YEAR, both individually and as a group.
Because of the generosity of Second Baptist Church, we were provided a comfortable space for our annual fall lock-in, where we were able to explore these areas more personally with some individual time of reflection. Each of us wrote a letter to ourselves (functioning also as a prayer to God!) with ways in which we hope to grow this year. We explored the story of Jesus healing a blind man in Mark 10:51, where Jesus asks the question, "What do you want me to do for you?" We asked this question of Jesus for our own lives, and through these letters to ourselves explored how we hope to see Jesus work in and through us this year. These letters were addressed, tucked in envelopes, and will be mailed out in May so that we can see the work God will do in us this year!
As always, CSF will be engaging in service through Operation Christmas Child this year by collecting shoeboxes of toys from students, faculty, and staff on campus. We will set up a table to collect donations from anyone at the University of Richmond who wishes to give. This is an exciting opportunity for us to help bring joy to children around the world, and also to reach out to students on campus by showing them how Christ is working our midst. We are thrilled for this opportunity!
We cherish your prayers for our fellowship, for the ways in which we will engage the campus in service, and for our own growth in walking with our Lord.
University of Virginia at Wise
The University of Virginia’s College at Wise BCM was recently recognized as the 2009-2010 Student Organization of the Year. These collegians rallying around the motto, “Make up your mind to follow Jesus” (Philippians 2:5) are not resting on their laurels. A new Friday night Coffee House ministry at the Baptist Student Center is providing a place for conversation and friendship fueled by smoothies and pizza. Wednesday night suppers are prepared by student chefs practicing their servant leadership. A Missions Fair program series highlighting local ministry needs is underway. And when the menu allows a “Gracious plenty” is prepared to be shared with Guest House Homeless Shelter. The first interest meeting for the 3rd Annual Belize Spring Break Medical Mission gleaned 40 potential student and church participants. Monday and Wednesday night Bible Studies are using the Mark Batterson book, In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day: How To Survive And Thrive When Opportunity Roars, to guide them.
More than 100 students have participated in a BCM so far and more are discovering BCM every week. One young lady has made her profession of faith and another is asking some serious questions. Our BCM was represented by 2 students at a recent college wide leadership retreat. And looking back just a little bit: our Summer BCM Suppers were recognized for an award by the college’s chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary! God is at work here. Virginia Baptists are at work here!
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The Construction Site Supper occurs every Wednesday. |
Virginia Tech
The Virginia Tech BCM loves being on the front lines of building the church leaders of the future. There are 65 students serving in one year leadership commitments, leading Bible studies, developing events and worship experiences, and reaching out to the campus. For the second year in a row, there are over 30 new students serving on the Freshman/Transfer Leadership Team, which is an eight-week experience each fall designed to train new leaders and give them chances to use their gifts right away.
Watch the "In Community" video. |
Darrell Cook, Collegiate Minister shares, “ We have had a lot of opportunities to serve students and share the gospel through forming "English language partners" with international students. Maria Pasquarell, a senior, came into our offices so excited the other day. She met with her language partner to talk and Maria learned her language partner had been to church. Before Maria could even ask her about her experience her language partner asked her about Christianity and then followed that up by asking about the differences between Buddhism and Christianity. After answering her questions, Maria's language partner said that while she doesn't believe these things she might soon. They have plans to meet again to read through the Bible, practice English, and explore the Christian faith. April, one of our staff members, shared this similar experience about her language partner. 'One super exciting moment was when she came to church with me.' About a week later, Nic & I asked her what she thought about the whole experience. She said she enjoyed it and asked us what Christians thought about people who aren't religious. It was a cool experience because we both got to explain to her who Jesus is and what he's about.”
As always, the International Furniture day provides a tremendous amount of contacts to be excited about every August. This year the BCM gave out around 400 pieces of furniture to 139 students from 16 nations. Sixty-four people (46% of total) invited follow-up contact for social/recreational activities and/or Christian activities. Twenty people (14% of total) indicated interested in Bible studies or church, international Christian groups, etc. These are exciting days of follow-up and building on the opportunities from that day.
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First Tuesday Night Worship Service of 2010 |
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Friday Night Cookout |
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| Helping with Move-in | |
| Photos from Fall 2010: | |
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