BCM Testimony--Amy Jackson

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

BCM Testimony--T.J. Cofield

I joined BCM my freshman year at Furman because two of my best friends were in it - one who was joining with me, and his brother, who was the president at the time. The seniors that year took a lot of us newbies under their wing.

BCM was not what I expected. I had been raised Baptist, but I was kind of looking to move elsewhere as far as my worship tradition was concerned. In BCM, I found a group where all people were welcomed regardless of faith tradition, doctrinal beliefs, or any other exterior quality. BCM was a group where we were safe to explore God's will for our lives in college together.

Rodney Norvell, who was the BCM minister at the time, taught me that Christianity was more about what we do than what we don't do. In high school, many of the people who followed Jesus Christ identified themselves by what they refrained from - premarital sex, alcohol, drugs, etc. Unfortunately, people weren't much interested in faith beyond that.

In BCM, I discovered God calling me to have an active faith that serves God and others, not just a lifestyle that abstains from certain behaviors. I owe a lot in my faith journey to what God taught me through Furman's BCM.

T.J. Cofield
Furman University
Class of 2008

BCM Testimony--Tommy Smith

BCM Alumni,

I hope all is well in South Carolina. Things seem to be settling down a bit here in Peru as we approach the rainy season but there is still plenty to be done.

Tonight I had dinner with our semester missionaries who are serving in Recuay, and was reminded of the young ladies that served there this past summer. As you know, Mary Batchelor from Francis Marion and Jordan Lockaby from North Greenville were the South Carolina BCM representatives. They were such a blessing to the people they served, Humberta (our translator) and to me also. The ministry they were involved in strengthened the Believers and opened doors for future teams as well as those of us who remain.  

This type of ministry is invaluable in a culture that is so relational. There would certainly be a void without it.

It is wonderful to see young folks being obedient to the Lord's command to boldly go and joyfully sacrifice as they did. And to think they could have been doing so many other things but chose to step out of their comfort zone.

I am very appreciative of our partnership with the Carolina convention and Carolina BCM and the opportunity it affords to these college students.

Blessings,

Tommy

Tommy Smith

REAP North Perú

Americas Affinity Group-IMB

http://pray4huaylas.blogspot.com/

http://americanpeoples.imb.org

www.reapnorthperu.org

Huaraz, Ancash, Perú

We have been asked to post this...

...but once again we would like to remind everyone that this website does not represent nor is affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention.

The comments below are solely those of Ken Owens, Director of Collegiate Ministry for the South Carolina Baptist Convention.

"It has been a blessing to read and hear what BCM/BSU alums have been posting here at Thankyoubcm.com. As the state director of collegiate ministry in South Carolina, I am certainly encouraged, along with all of our past and present staff members, by the positive statements made about how God has used this powerful ministry over the years.

But I do want to clarify one thing that I believe is a common misperception among some of our BCM/BSU alumni. I have received calls recently asking me if BCM is in trouble or in need of “rallying the troops” for support. Though none of us can predict the future, especially during a time of rapid change, I can tell you that we have no plans to stop or cut back on BCM ministries in our state. (emphasis added, ed.) In fact, we are seeing some of our most fruitful ministry on many of our campuses in our history and support for the work is strong.

I do believe some concern among alums was generated by a survey that we sent out in the last few weeks. As the state director, I became aware of two other states that initiated similar surveys and saw the positive results that were produced.

So, after seeing the positive impact of the surveys, I wanted to do it in SC as well. It was not done because of any problems or concerns with BCM. We had never done a survey like this, so we wanted to put it out there for alums to be able to give some input.

What we have received in response thus far has been very positive. Unfortunately, we are still a little under the number of completed surveys of graduates between years 1991-2011 to make the survey a statistically valid one. So, if you can spread the word and ask others to complete it, that would be awesome for sure. Here is the link to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bsubcmsurvey

Again, thanks for all the great testimonies you are sharing on this site. Hopefully, we’ll be able to produce a report that you’ll be able to enjoy reading and publish on this site in the future."

Ken Owens, 

Director of Collegiate Ministry 

SC Baptist Convention

We greatly appreciate you reading and submitting your testimonies to ThankYouBCM.com. We still believe this is a very important time for the future of BCM in the state of South Carolina. 

Now, more than ever, it is important that we as alumni support BCM.

Please share your testimony with us at testimony@thankyoubcm.com

Without further ado...we will return to original programming with another testimony at Noon today.

BCM Testimony--Kendra Joyner

Kendra Joyner, Elizabeth Thomas

Hello! My Name is Kendra Joyner and too was privileged enough to become part of BSU/ BCM while I was attending the University of South Carolina.

I graduated in the class of 2005. I knew of BCM before I arrived on campus as both of my parents had been a part of BSU in their college days on their separate campuses. They actually met as a part of BSU during their college years by attending a statewide BSU meeting.

I must tell you that BSU/ BCM is a large part of who I am today. As I arrived on campus at USC I knew only one person who happened to be from my home church but also be a part of BSU. As soon as I got settled into my room, She found me and took me directly over the BSU center. I immediately met Jane Poster who has had a profound impact on my life and whom I can call a life long friend even today. She was there to help encourage me and mentor me along the way during my time at USC. I learned valuable ways to minister, serve, and even lead while being a part of BCM at USC.

BCM became my home away from home while I was at school. As I was going into my junior year of college, my family moved to Germany. So during the holidays I also had a place to go simply because of my BCM family. I can also honestly say, some of my very closest friends are those whom I met and grew alongside of in BCM! I am quite sure that I would not be who I am today or where I am today had it not been for the opportunities that BCM provided while being away at college.

During my time at USC I had many opportunities to develop lifelong friendships, to hone my skills in leadership, growing in leading bible studies, in reaching out to others no matter their backgrounds, and growing tremendously in my own personal relationship with Christ. I was also provided the opportunity to share in the BCM summer missions program, once on a short-term mission trip and once for ten weeks.

During my ten week mission trip to British Columbia, I felt the Lord calling me into full time ministry.
If it had not been for BCM and the opportunities of growth it provided me as well as the solid foundation built on the Word of God, I would not be where I am today. Today I currently serve in a local church as a full time Children's Minister and can honestly say, Thank You BCM for helping me find where the Lord wanted to use me.

I pray that the same opportunities, that were provided to me, will continue to be provided for those in the future. Our generations now, more than ever need that help in staying grounded and building a solid foundation built on the Word of God while in College. This is the most transitional time in a College student's life. They need the influence, stability, and encouragement for growth and service that BCM offered to each of us in order to become the men and women that the Lord created them to be in order to bring Glory to him!

May you continue to see the importance in investing in the lives of college students around the state and world through BCM!!

In His Grace,
Kendra Joyner
USC-Columbia
Class of 2005

Now, more than ever, it is important that we as alumni support BCM.

Please share your testimony with us by emailing testimony@thankyoubcm.com

In Their Own Words...

BCM students talking about what the ministry means to them and the
many different services/ministries that BCM provides.

Now, more than ever, it is important that we as alumni support BCM.

Please share your testimony with us at testimony@thankyoubcm.com

BCM Testimony--Michael Tew

Left to right: Jared Rapp, Will King, Jason Rapp, Michael Tew

“It is not the high school friends you will remember, but the ones from college that will bless you the rest of your life.”

That sentence was spoken to me shortly after my high school graduation in June of 1997.  I came from a small church where I was happy with the few close friends that I had.  I was never one of the popular people in high school, so my group of friends was the youth group at my church.  After a week or two at Carolina, I was talking with my pastor and he said I needed to check out BSU.  I thought about it, and said to myself why not.  My first weeks of school included class, work, and that was about it.  I had “graduated” out of the youth and to the Young Married Sunday School Class.  Not that, as an 18 year old, sounds horrible, but I was looking some people of my own age to grow with.  So I went.  And never left.

I was lucky enough to be lead by Jane Poster, who has taught me more in four and a half years about life and God than I could have ever gotten from anything else.  I was able to grow with other Christians in similar situations as I.  I was able to learn, lead, serve, minister, and pray with other Christians looking for the same thing I was.  With all the sin and evil that was very alive on campus….700 Pickens Street was the place I knew as home.   

I know that BSU/BCM was the place that helped to show my skills in leadership in the community.  From this, I have served in different churches in Columbia as a deacon and director of Sunday School classes.  If this doesn't show the impact of BSU/BCM in local churches, I am not sure what can.

Lastly, from BSU/BCM, I have a community of friends for life.  I know these people will stop and pray for me whether they be five minutes away or five hours.  They truly care for me as a person and want for me to do well.  I am very lucky to be getting married in April of 2012, and out of the thirteen groomsmen and ushers (yes, I know already), ten of them are guys that I have meet through the ministry of BSU/BCM.  I hate to think what my life would be without these guys.

I know that the economy is tough, but please do not take this ministry away that is a gift to people like myself that are looking for God in different places.

Michael Tew

USC-Columbia

Class of 2001

Now, more than ever, it is important that we as alumni support BCM.

Please share your testimony with  us at testimony@thankyoubcm.com

BCM Through The Years

Here's a look at BCM through the years. From the decade of the 1940s through the present. This is a snapshot of what BCM has meant to people for more than 70 years. Thank you BCM. Thank you for being there for people, helping develop their relationship with God and bringing glory to His kingdom for such a long time.

Now, more than ever, it is important that we as alumni support BCM.

Please share your testimony with us at testimony@thankyoubcm.com

BCM Testimony--Jessica Harris Potts

Left to right: Amy Hines Roddey, Jessica Harris Potts

BCM was more than an organization it was my family while at USC. Helped me mature from a girl to a young lady, discover who I was, and most important grow my relationship with Christ. I was able to develop and build life long friendships with fellow believers, encouraging and challenging one another to follow Christ. We were able to be a light to USC sharing with other God's love to all students.

Jessica Harris Potts

USC-Columbia
Class of 2005

Now, more than ever, it is important that we as alumni support BCM.

Please share your testimony with us by emailing testimony@thankyoubcm.com

BCM Testimony--Greg Nix

Left to right: Shawn Helms Nix, Meredith Barkley Murphy, Andy Murphy, Greg Nix

BCM/BSU had a major impact in my life. After I was saved in February of 1995, it was lonely being a Marine in Jacksonville, NC. The BSU at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington opened its arms to me and gave me many opportunities to serve in various ministry areas. After I accepted the call to ministry and went to Southeastern College in Wake Forest, NC; I continued to seek an chance to find a BSU. The Raleigh-Area BSU was there to continue my growth in ministry. When I completed my Masters degree from Southeastern Seminary, someone put me in touch with Jane Poster at the University of South Carolina. She hired me as an intern, but God used this to allow me to have one of the greatest years in ministry as intern for the USC BCM. We had a great year and I had the extreme privilege to disciple some of the most awesome college students. Thank you BCM/BSU for all that you have done in this life.

In Christ's Service,

Greg Nix

Associate Pastor of Education and Youth

First Baptist Church Milledgeville

Now, more than ever, it is important that we as alumni support BCM.

Please share your testimony with us by emailing testimony@thankyoubcm.com