by Scott Anderson

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What happens to high schoolers when they leave home and go to college? Will they walk away from the Church? Will they get involved with the typical “college scene?” And most importantly—is there anything we can do about it?

The common concern surrounding these questions is that when students leave home, they will experience a major downturn in church attendance. Perhaps the appeals and temptations of college are too strong, and without the tether of their home church, students will stray.

On one hand, we cannot be blind to the potential diverging paths of college. As college ministry workers, we see many students wander away from God or weaken in their sense of connection to him. We see how temptations, apathy, and anxiety can reign in the life of an 18-year-old.

But at the same time, we are firsthand witnesses to generation upon generation of students who have formed Jesus-centered communities of faith right on their campus. In fact, we have seen countless students truly own their Christian identities for the first time or even become a Christian during college.

This is what Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) is all about. Across the state, BCM communities serve as places where students can find support and camaraderie as they seek to follow Jesus during their college years. They will be anchored in Bible study and worship, invited into a broader view of God’s work through missions, and challenged by spiritual disciplines and calls to leadership. Our staff has traversed these tumultuous years, so we serve as a guide, equipping students to follow Jesus and lead others in doing so through the joys and trials of life.

View all active BCM communities across Virginia.

Consider these testimonials from BCM students:

Freshman year was probably my worst year in college, because I sought to have deep and meaningful relationships but came up empty handed. And while it didn’t happen overnight, BCM became my source of vitality for the rest of my years at JMU. If I didn’t realize my need for connection and if I didn’t pursue Christ-centered fellowship, I’d still be stuck in that emotional and spiritual pit of loneliness that is too common for most people. PLEASE don’t let your first year go by without experiencing Christ’s love from brothers and sisters in Christ!  
– Josh Bridges

BCM gave me the opportunity to build a college community early on in my freshman year—a year that can be daunting and notorious for identity crisis and hopes of “belonging.” BCM immediately stood out to me as welcoming and encouraged me to dive deeper into my faith, as well as into the person God was calling me to be! It’s given me a glimpse of what Christ-centered relationships look like as a young adult, and it became a community I could depend on and give back to!
– Sidney Walters

What Can I Do?

Each fall, every BCM reaches out to hundreds of students. Many will choose another path, but many will also choose to be a part of a BCM.

One of the biggest factors in influencing this decision is connection. If a student is already connected to a BCM staff member or student before they come to campus, they are more likely to settle into a Christian community.

This is where you come in! Do you know a student heading off to college? Go to our website and reach out to the appropriate campus minister. We are excited and eager to partner with you in shepherding your students through their college years.

We look forward to welcoming your graduated seniors and transfer students to our BCMs across the Commonwealth! Use our web form to send us their contact information so we can invite them to activities on campus and get connected!

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Rev. Scott Anderson is campus minister at James Madison University’s BCM.

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