Baptist
Collegiate Ministry is a fellowship of students, an organization involving students, and a program of ministry for students.Without the fellowship there is no organization, and programs are developed in order to provide students a structured
base for spiritual development.Effective ministry through Baptist Collegiate Ministry supports the work
of students and encourages their involvement in and leadership of the ministry.Viewed as an extension
of the church, the BCM is a resource for college-students to extend the ministry of their local church to the campus.
Purpose
The purpose of Collegiate
Ministry is to fulfill the mission of the church by leading students and others in the academic community to faith in Jesus
Christ as Savior and Lord and to guide them in Christian growth and discipleship.
Philosophy
The philosophic basis of collegiate
ministry developed within the crucible of experience.A concise statement of that philosophy was released
in 1962.The Christian witness
of Southern Baptist work in all institutions of higher learning is in response to our Lord’s command to make known the
gospel to all people.It reads:“This witness is an integral part of the nature and mission of the church.The
role of churches is indispensable to the maturing spiritual, moral, and intellectual lives of students and faculty members.Because the university is engaged in the search for truth, of which God is the source, the Christian perspective is
essential to the realization of the ultimate purpose of higher education. The unique nature of the university situation demands
a specialized ministry by our denomination to the individuals in the campus community with their need for redemption and Christian
nurture.”Collegiate Ministry is that specialized portion
of the work of the church directed toward students and others in the academic community.It functions in
reaching, teaching, and involving students in the life and work of the local church.
Core Values
God is the author of all truth.
College students matter to God and the local church.
Every
college student deserves the opportunity to know God.
BCM extends the ministry of the local church on the college campus.
College students reach college students.
Every Christian student should be growing as a disciple of Jesus Christ and should be involved in
a local church based on New Testament principles.During their college years, each local church should
recognize their students’ involvement in BCM as an extension of the church’s ministry to the campus.
Every believer is gifted and responsible for using their
gifts in missions and ministry.
Emphases
At its core, Baptist Collegiate Ministry is a group of Christian students living out the call of Christ on
the college campus.These students are members of various churches joining together on campus for evangelism,
missions, discipleship, and ministry.These priorities are essentially the same as those of the church,
only tailored for a specific life situation.BCM can be an invaluable tool for the formation of future
church leaders, the sharing of the Gospel, and outreach by churches where individual churches are often forbidden access.
Evangelism
Witnessing to others about Christ is the
responsibility of every Christian.Students are encouraged to share the gospel with those they meet in
classes, at work, and through other campus organizations.This is done through a comprehensive program
of student evangelism.We share with others how Christ saved us from our sin and He can do the same for
them.
Missions
One of the hallmarks of BCM is missions involvement.This means helping start a new church nearby, giving a summer for missions work at home or abroad, or other summer
ministry work such as working in a local church.Frequently, these activities result in a lifetime of missions
involvement with many answering the call of God to vocational missions ministry.As students become aware
of the impact of the gospel in world issues, God speaks, and they respond.
Discipleship
Discipleship is the lifelong process of becoming like Jesus Christ
under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.It involves learning the teachings of the Bible and applying them
to life under the guidance of a teacher.BCM provides training for leaders and opportunities for practical
application in individual and small-group settings.As students become more mature in their knowledge and
practice of faith, they in turn disciple others fulfilling the teachings of 2 Timothy 2:2: “And the things you have
heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”
Ministry
In BCM, ministry springs out of a group transformed
by the presence of the Holy Spirit.Students are motivated to build relationships with others.Some ministry needs are met through acceptance, some through prayer, or through deeds of assistance.BCM
strives to be responsive to the real needs of campus and community.Ministry may involve personal and/or
sociopolitical issues.BCM encourages students to reflect upon these issues and seek ways to apply the
teachings of Christ to them.