By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
THIBODAUX – Before the fall semester began, the Baptist Collegiate Ministry leadership at Nicholls State University was praying for at least one student to come to a saving relationship with Christ.
By the end of September, they had gotten much more – 19 to be exact.
“It’s pretty wild,” said Nicholls BCM President Zach Vorenkamp, a senior from Houston, Texas. “The Lord is really moving. If it’s anything we are doing, it’s being intentional – sharing the gospel and creating disciples.”
The catalyst for the growth began when BCM Director Conan Sherlin and his wife, Christy, and a friend of the BCM attended a national conference for BCM directors. It was there they were led to discuss with the leadership team at Nicholls a vision to share Jesus with students through the gospel appointments method.
Gospel appointments begin with someone in leadership connecting with a first-time visitor to the BCM, asking for a phone number with the intention of sending a text and invitation to coffee within 48 hours. Then, two BCM members – one experienced and one just learning – sit down with the individual and explaining the gospel using the Bridge illustration. Through this method, the BCM members will present the gospel, using a bridge near the end to show Christ is the avenue to link God to man over the valley of sin that previously separated the two from one another.
“The Bridge is fantastic because it allows for the individual listening to respond and even to visually comprehend where they line up in life,” Sherlin said. “Whatever response these folks give us we have something for them. This is an advantageous method as it catches people who are spiritually seeking or even folks who are not where they know they should be, because in truth they are usually in one of those categories when they decide to walk into the BCM.”
Decisions after decisions
The end result is for the Nicholls State BCM is the most decisions in five weeks than they average for an entire semester, which is normally two to three decisions. Vorenkamp said this new method is much more effective than presenting the gospel in a large setting, such as their Thursday evening Merge Bible study, which averages 85 each week.
“The decisions we have seen almost are exclusively on a one-on-one basis,” Vorenkamp said. “If I had to guess, it’s about that relationship. In as much a group setting of 90 people you can try to make it warm and a feeling of community, it’s all about people being people and connecting with one another. You can earn someone’s trust one-on-one much easier and that leads to a way to share the gospel that you just can’t do in a large group of people.”
Harley Grandstaff is one of the 19 students who accepted Christ through the gospel appointments method. Through a late August meeting at an on-campus coffee shop with Vorenkamp and Sherlin, he learned of his need for Christ.
“The two drew a diagram of where one needs to be spiritually in order to be accepted into heaven,” he said. “And when they asked me where I thought I was if I had to draw myself on the diagram I realized that I’m not on the right track, and I knew I had to change that. I then prayed with them and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.”
Ever since he decided to accept Christ, Grandstaff said he has felt as if the weight of any worries, doubt, or troubles has been lifted off him.
“The peace and unconditional love that God has shown me made me realize that I should have been seeking a better relationship with him all my life,” said Grandstaff, a freshman from New Orleans. “And over at the BCM, God gives us the peace and joy to help us produce a fun, friendly, and family like environment to allow all of us to aid one another in our walk with Jesus.”
Once the students accept Christ, the BCM leaders then immediately match them with a spiritually mature believer there. Vorenkamp said seeing them mature and grow in their faith is a key so they will continue their journey as a Christ-follower.
“Paul talks a lot in his letters about people needing spiritual milk,” he said. “You’re not doing someone justice where they see God for who he is and then leave them on their own.”
Hopeful future
As for the remainder of the school year, Sherlin hopes that growth can continue. The goal for the remainder of the year is to complete 100 Gospel appointments.
He said that the plan is three-fold. Sherlin wants his students to continue engaging every visitor with Gospel appointments, present the gospel spontaneously with others around campus and using group outreaches such as a meal or Pintrest Party for the Kingdom.
“I am confident through God’s grace that we will hit our projected target,” Sherlin said. “The difficult part will be to ensure all those who have made a response are being matched with solid teaching and discipleship.
“Evangelism without discipleship has been in my opinion a waste of time as new believers are rarely equipped to withstand the difficulties that quickly arise with their decisions,” he continued. “We need prayers and support from our church bodies as the task ahead continues to grow as every year more and more students arrive on campus with little or no church background. We are so thankful for the love and support we already get and look forward to partnering with our denominational body for a long time to see lives transformed and disciples made.”