How has Christ impacted my life through BCM? I think the easier question is answer is how He hasn't--there are so many ways that I have been molded and changed: by the people I met in my four years at the University of South Carolina through BCM, through learning about ministry, and even by making important discoveries about myself, my calling, and the personality God has given me.
I came to the University of South Carolina as an out-of-state student, and
I only knew two other students on campus--that really changed after I got
involved with BCM! I felt at home at BCM, even from the first time I came to
the student center in tears, asking to speak with Jane because I was so homesick
and overwhelmed with changes and a new town and new people. There were other
tears along the way, but also lots of laughter. I cannot put into words how the
staff at BCM really encouraged, impacted, and changed my life--for the better.
I was blessed to be able to build relationships with the Posters, as well as
the Stewarts, and now live in Birmingham, Alabama and get to work alongside Mary
and Wayne Splawn, who were interns at BCM during my junior year of college. I
feel blessed to be able to call all of these people former mentors and
ministers, as well as current friends.
I also have to say that, through BCM, I made friendships that I hope will
last for the rest of my life. I met people who have a passion for Christ, and
they spurred me on to know Him more and become more like Him. They are the
people that I can call in the middle of the night with a ridiculous problem, and
know that they will have encouragement and comforting words for me to hear.
BCM was also a stretching experience for me; I'm such an introvert
sometimes, and God used BCM to show that He has a sense of humor in calling me
to positions that I constantly felt were for more "extroverted and outgoing"
people: Trailer Park Ministry coordinator, missions chair, BCM president.
Through BCM and the great leadership and mentoring efforts of the staff there, I
began to see that God had an incredible purpose and calling for my life, and
that He created me and gifted me uniquely and could use my quietness and
organization and thoroughness just as he could other people's extroversion and
excitement. it's because of ministry at BCM--in particular, the Spring Break
Boston mission trip, my time as a summer missionary, and the year of serving as
BCM president--that I felt led to go to seminary and pursue a calling into
ministry.
I can't say enough positive things about BCM and the impact it had on my
life--the tremendous opportunities I received through BCM, the relationships I
built through BCM, and the life-changing and eternal truths about Christ and his
kingdom that I learned through BCM, both through speakers and through being
challenged to live out the gospel on campus, in Columbia, and throughout the
world. My four years at USC were challenging, stretching, molding, and
beautiful--and that's all because of Christ's kindness in leading me somewhere
like BCM.
Amy Jackson
University of South Carolina
Class of 2009
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