The Virginia Informer

The Virginia Informer

Dispelling the mysteries of faith: Baptist Campus Ministries
By Alex Randy Kyrios, Staff Writer

            The Baptist student organization on campus, formerly known as the Baptist Student Union, decided on Monday, September 19 to rename themselves the Baptist College Ministries. BCM is, “an organization whose purpose is to shine a light of God’s love on William and Mary’s campus,” said representative Meghan Atkins. Atkins is a junior and a member of BCM’s Coordination Team, an executive steering committee. Atkins spoke with the Informer about the BCM’s role on campus and addressed some misconceptions about the Baptist faith. The BSU is “not as conservative as some people think,” she said.
            In contrast to the “fire and brimstone” stereotypes sometimes associated with Baptists, BCM, which officially agrees with Baptist doctrines and teachings, still embraces diversity of thought. In fact, one third of those who take part in the BCM do not even identify themselves as Baptist; some members are Methodist or Presbyterian. Attendees do not have a uniform belief on whether the Bible should be interpreted literally or figuratively. Instead, they focus on positive aspects of their faith, such as fellowship. In the end, Christ is their common denominator.
            BCM meets at the organization’s house at 244 South Boundary Street, three houses down from Parking Services. Rides from upperclassmen are available for those who cannot make the trek. Thanks to a group of local Baptist churches, a free dinner is provided on Sundays at 5:00 pm, which is then followed by a program at 6:00 pm that lasts roughly an hour. The content of these programs is diverse, taking the form of performances, guest speakers, or group activities. Meetings are open to all, and Atkins pointed out that leftovers from dinners can often be found at the house.
            The BCM is currently in a transition phase after the departure of their minister of 20 years, and their interim leader is Reverend Terri Bolt. Atkins indicated that there would be an increased focus on evangelism this school year. Their theme is FACE IT - Finding and Accepting Christ Everyday Individually and Together – and they are committed to having two socials and two service projects every month. Past service projects have included gleaning at orchards for local food pantries, bingo at a nursing home, and work with Housing Partnerships. Creative Ministries meets weekly and features drama, interpretive movement, hand bells, and artistic expression of faith. Co-ed and all-female Bible study groups meet weekly at the Marketplace, and an all-male group meets on the Sunken Gardens to play Frisbee before study.
            Meghan Atkins described the BCM best: in her words, it is their “goal to provide a place where Christians can feel safe with one another, and to equip Christians to go out and share information in the campus, the community, and eventually the world.” For more information, visit their web site at

            The Baptist student organization on campus, formerly known as the Baptist Student Union, decided on Monday, September 19 to rename themselves the Baptist College Ministries. BCM is, “an organization whose purpose is to shine a light of God’s love on William and Mary’s campus,” said representative Meghan Atkins. Atkins is a junior and a member of BCM’s Coordination Team, an executive steering committee. Atkins spoke with the Informer about the BCM’s role on campus and addressed some misconceptions about the Baptist faith. The BSU is “not as conservative as some people think,” she said.            In contrast to the “fire and brimstone” stereotypes sometimes associated with Baptists, BCM, which officially agrees with Baptist doctrines and teachings, still embraces diversity of thought. In fact, one third of those who take part in the BCM do not even identify themselves as Baptist; some members are Methodist or Presbyterian. Attendees do not have a uniform belief on whether the Bible should be interpreted literally or figuratively. Instead, they focus on positive aspects of their faith, such as fellowship. In the end, Christ is their common denominator.            BCM meets at the organization’s house at 244 South Boundary Street, three houses down from Parking Services. Rides from upperclassmen are available for those who cannot make the trek. Thanks to a group of local Baptist churches, a free dinner is provided on Sundays at 5:00 pm, which is then followed by a program at 6:00 pm that lasts roughly an hour. The content of these programs is diverse, taking the form of performances, guest speakers, or group activities. Meetings are open to all, and Atkins pointed out that leftovers from dinners can often be found at the house.            The BCM is currently in a transition phase after the departure of their minister of 20 years, and their interim leader is Reverend Terri Bolt. Atkins indicated that there would be an increased focus on evangelism this school year. Their theme is FACE IT - Finding and Accepting Christ Everyday Individually and Together – and they are committed to having two socials and two service projects every month. Past service projects have included gleaning at orchards for local food pantries, bingo at a nursing home, and work with Housing Partnerships. Creative Ministries meets weekly and features drama, interpretive movement, hand bells, and artistic expression of faith. Co-ed and all-female Bible study groups meet weekly at the Marketplace, and an all-male group meets on the Sunken Gardens to play Frisbee before study.             Meghan Atkins described the BCM best: in her words, it is their “goal to provide a place where Christians can feel safe with one another, and to equip Christians to go out and share information in the campus, the community, and eventually the world.” For more information, visit their web site at http://www.wm.edu/so/bsu/home.php.
 
Meeting Times and Locations
Dinner - Sunday 5:00 PM, BCM House
Program - Sunday 6:00 PM, BCM House
Women’s Bible study - Monday 6:00 PM, Marketplace
Co-ed Bible study - Monday 5:30 PM, Marketplace
Men’s Bible study - Wednesday 6:00 PM, Sunken Gardens (with frisbee)
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