BCM Testimony--Katie Woodlieff

Heather Bennett and Katie Woodlieff

I have been lucky enough to be a part of two BCM/BSUs. My first was during my four years as an undergraduate at Wake Forest in North Carolina. However, my first experiences with this organization were much earlier. While in middle and high school, my church often had BCM/BSU teams come for the weekend. As a teen, going through all the struggles and challenges which that time of life brings, I was amazed by a group of college students like this - so unashamed of their faith and their own identities. I wanted to be just like them.

When entering college, I sought out BSU. And, they sought me out as well. I became quickly involved. College is a difficult time for many students - and it was for me. During this time students grow and change, experience setbacks and progress, and begin to truly develop a sense of their adult selves. For me, BSU was an anchor in that process - an anchor back to the most important thing in life, Jesus Christ. BSU helped me build relationships with other believers, grow spiritually, connect with a local church, and make my faith my own. While other things were constantly tugging at my mind and my time, BSU always reminded me of my foundation as a believer.

When transitioning to graduate school in South Carolina, at USC, it seemed natural to me to seek out BCM.  I was blessed to find another group of students who loved me and who desired to grow closer to Christ. For someone like me, moving out of state, to a city where they didn't know anyone, BCM provided more than words can express. At this point in my life, my needs were different, but BCM still found it a priority to help in meeting those needs. I was able to connect with other graduate students, and also help in reaching out to underclassmen, as I used life lessons I learned in college to give advice and reassurance.

I love the heart that BSU/BCM has for its students, and for the world. Two of my fondest memories in this organization involve service opportunities, a major priority to this ministry. While at Wake Forest, I spent most Friday mornings preparing lunch for homeless men, women, and children in the area.  And while at USC, I looked forward to spearheading our ministry's annual Christmas service project - adopting a needy family from our local community. These service opportunities, though very different, reminded me of our true purpose as belivers of Christ - to be a light to the world.

I can never adequately put into words the true impact that BSU/BCM has had on my life. I can say, however, without a doubt, that I wouldn't have maneuvered college so well without this organization and all the support it provides. I believe that those years were defining ones in my life - years in which I grew and developed a great deal in my faith. BSU/BCM were critical in that growth.