By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
NATCHITOCHES, La. (LBM) – The Baptist Collegiate Ministry with Northwestern State University kicked off its fall semester with a charge to further the Gospel and a slate of activities planned for its centennial celebration.
Founded in June 1926 with what was then Louisiana State Normal School in Natchitoches, the ministry adapted as the university experienced a name change and growth but remained constant in its call to reach students for Christ on campus and beyond.
CENTURY OF GROWTH
According to a news release from the university, the BCM (originally, the Baptist Student Union until 2000) first met in a shared space in two on-campus religious centers. When these facilities burned, Louisiana Baptists purchased a large house on Second Street so ministry could continue.
In August 1969, a 13,000-square-foot facility was constructed on what was then College Avenue, now University Parkway, across from Watson Library. Then in the early 2000s, the BCM relocated onto campus. Construction was delayed by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 and the ministry operated from several temporary locations before its current facility was completed on Organization Row in 2009.
Throughout its history the ministry has reached thousands of students through the years with opportunities for worship, Bible study, service projects, mission trips and fellowship, leaders said.
Bill Collins, who was the NSU BCM director for 37 years, said he is thankful for the university and churches that have been supportive of the ministry.
“Being included in the university community is something special,” Collins said. “We also are thankful for the local Baptists from District 8 Convention who have been absolutely spectacular in financial and prayer support in meeting all kinds of needs here for 100 years.
“Louisiana Baptists have shown their commitment to our BCM as we ministered to the next generation,” he continued. “To know that we’ve got so many missionaries, preachers, teachers, lay leaders and business leaders we have gone on and impacted the Kingdom is the good stuff.”
One of Collins’ favorite memories is when a student named Alex Rothenberger attended a BCM meeting and heard the Gospel through involvement with discipleship small groups, worship at the BCM and church services.
During a meeting of District 8 Baptist Convention churches, Collins felt compelled to lead them in a prayer for Rothenberger to accept Christ. At that moment, Rothenberger was praying in his dorm room to trust in Jesus.
“He showed the full package,” Collins said. “You bring someone in who fully develops into someone who marries a believer and starts a believing home is phenomenal. He showed what we are about at the BCM – evangelism, discipleship, missions and leadership.”
NSU & ENDS OF THE EARTH
Austin McCurry, who became the BCM director in April following the retirement of Bill Collins, said returning to campus has been surreal. He first became involved with the NSU BCM during his sophomore year (August 2013) and a year later joined the leadership team while Collins was director.
McCurry and Associate Director Haidyn Yellot began the semester by connecting with students through a worship kick-off night attended by 180, and meeting with individuals to build relationships for Christ.
In the coming weeks McCurry and Yellot will disciple their student leaders before branching out into gender-specific small groups with others on campus.
Yellot, who like McCurry was BCM-involved while an NSU student, said she is grateful for how the ministry impacted her life among the lives of so many students as a place to connect while sharing Christ across the NSU community.
“The BCM brings to this campus and to our town a practically 24/7 place for students to have a place to belong,” she said. “They can hear about Jesus, they can learn about Jesus, and I hope that to this campus we bring the love of Christ to everyone — every department, every classroom, every dorm room.”
“I also hope that it doesn’t stay here,” she added. “I believe that it will go out, it will go into Natchitoches Parish and surrounding areas and hopefully to the ends of the earth.”
A centennial lunch celebration is planned, Oct. 10, at the BCM. BSU/BCM alumni, church and community members and their families are invited to reconnect and reminisce.
Past BSU/BCM presidents and their families are invited to a lunch, Oct. 24, at the BCM. Former presidents will be recognized on the field during NSU’s homecoming football game.
Visit nsulabcm.com for more information about BCM’s centennial activities. Also, check @nsulabcm (Instagram) and NSULA BCM (Facebook) for updates.
