What a blessing it's been to read the testimonies of so many of those who've connected with our Lord thanks to this vital ministry through the years. I'm privileged to call many of them friends. Though many stories are familiar, you can never tire of being encouraged by the way God moves in someone's life.
The vital ministry of which I speak allows young people to grow and develop
among brothers and sisters in Christ at a critical time in their lives. Ways of
thinking and habits form and take root as make our way, away from the nest.
Having BCM does one of two things, depending on your situation: a) allows
fellowship that reinforces so many of the values church and family instilled as
you progressed to this point in life, or b) helps those without that advantage
be introduced to the peace and assurance of that comes from a relationship with
the Living God. No small thing, to be sure!
Beyond being a "safe haven" for believers old and new in the often-hostile
environment of most college campuses, BCM means a lot to me for the connections
I made that, nearly nine years later, I still have. Directly because of BCM,
I've had hands of Christian brothers and sisters reaching out in support in the
depths and hands reaching to the skies in jubilation during the heights (my
groomsmen, for example, were all BCM alums).
But I won't belabor any points about life-long friends that so many have
done well already. I feel a more powerful story lies in the impact BCM has down
the line, and the point has been driven home to me in striking fashion more than
once.
Most organizations mean things to people personally after some time, but
the truly worthwhile ones pay things forward through the values instilled and
lessons taught. The council for the USC BCM let students take ownership of
in-reach and out-reach, which are appropriately the elements of the BCM logo.
Leaders are perhaps born, as the saying goes, but their skills have to be honed
somewhere. In the mid-2000s, when I looked out at the others serving on
leadership at the Shandon Baptist young single adult ministry, I was awestruck
and proud that nearly two handfuls of people I also saw at BCM council meetings
were again serving together for Christ. Now, on young married adult leadership
at the same church, I still see a few of those, and know of others serving in
other areas.
Ownership then, ownership now. BCM helps you grow in faith during a time
when you become who you are. And when you're here now looking back, overwhelmed
by the blessings received, it makes you all the more eager to continue serving
Him wherever you are.
Jason Rapp
USC-Columbia
Class of 2002
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