By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
NATCHITOCHES, La. (LBM) – For nearly four decades Bill Collins has helped students on the Northwestern State University fulfill the Great Commission.
Collins, who is set to retire March 31, 2026, from his role as NSU’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry director, said he is thankful for the chance to see so many students who have been a part of the ministry become warriors for Christ.
“I always believe that you should take yourself out of the game before someone has to take you out of the game,” Collins told the Baptist Message. “I know I had probably a few more years left but really felt God leading me to go ahead and step down to allow a younger, more energetic person to come in and be able to do some new things.
“This is a new generation of students, and somebody younger, a little closer to their life experiences, is going to be able to help them formulate some new programming,” he continued. “I really believe this the best thing for the NSU BCM, for my wife Phyllis and myself. And of course, we’re not retiring from ministry, just retiring from the NSU BCM.”
During his time at NSU, Collins has seen students come to Christ, discipled and sent on mission trips. He also led the relocation to a new BCM building in 2009 and served as chaplain of the NSU football team since 2019. Additionally, he started a Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief team of BCM students.
Through all of this, Collins has enjoyed seeing God move and change countless lives.
Collins, who has served as BCM director since June 12, 1989, voiced appreciation to the students, alumni, supportive churches and his
wife.
“We have enjoyed our time there working for Louisiana Baptists, representing them in the Natchitoches area and District Eight Baptist Convention; they are the real deal,” he said. “Some people in life can look back on their work and wonder, ‘what did I accomplish?’ And that’s not a hard thing for us to figure out here.”
“The students have made Phyllis and I look good,” he continued. “To work with three generations of students and then to have some students come to us whose parents came through our BCM has been rewarding.”
WORDS OF APPRECIATION
Reflecting on his legacy, BCM State Director Mark Robinson shared: “For decades to come we will hear stories of how Bill and Phyllis Collins impacted students’ lives, showing them the way to live as disciples of Christ in action and through teaching His Word. Bill is a foundational servant not only to BCM, but to the Northwestern campus, and has influenced ministry practices across the country. A large number of his alumni serve on campuses around Louisiana, in churches and on mission around the world. He will be greatly missed on our team.”
Matt Endris, pastor with Fairview Baptist Church, Coushatta and NSU BCM Advisory Chairman with District 8 Baptist Convention, was NSU BCM worship leader and later president in the mid-1990s. He said that Collins and his wife were instrumental in his training for ministry. Collins later officiated the marriage of Endris and Jana (who attended Louisiana College). Endris’s daughter, Claire, also was active in the BCM during her time at NSU.
“Bill and Phyllis Collins have had a remarkable ministry together these past 36 years,” Endris said. “They have worked side by side, complementing each other in a way that caused this ministry to excel and continue to grow year by year. They have modeled Christ, mentored and ministered to a multitude of students across multiple generations.
“There are numerous ministers, missionaries and faithful Kingdom servants who were trained and prepared for life after college through the Collins’ ministry in the NSU BSU/BCM,” he said. “The day of Christ will declare the difference and contributions this couple made in the Kingdom of God.”
POST-RETIREMENT
In retirement Collins plans to spend time with his family and continue to serve as pastor with Cypress Baptist Church, Natchitoches, where he been the past four years.
“Thanks to everyone for their faithfulness,” Collins said. “I don’t even know how to sum it all up, except a huge thank you. Everything we have ever needed and wanted has been because of the Lord and those He used during the last 37 years.”
