I don’t know about you, but I sense a stronger-than-ever desire from Christians to share the message of the Gospel in 2022. Maybe it is because we were cooped up for too long, or the burden on our heart for the lost and dying world is growing each and every day. I would say that the Spirit has been groaning in me to reach the next generation with the Gospel, but I can’t do it alone. This year, NTCC BSM is off to a great start. With multiple opportunities to reach the campus, I am calling on your assistance. To say it another way, I am calling on the local church.
Here are four ways your church can get involved in the mission Jesus Christ gave us (Matthew 28:19-20), here in our local community.
(Be sure to read all the way through this article, and let me know how you plan on serving at the BSM this year… there is a way for everyone)
1. Pray for the NTCC BSM (Encourage)
Have you ever entered a battle field without your gear? Or played baseball without a mitt? That is what it would be like for us to enter a new school year on the college campus without prayer. Paul says to “put on the whole armor of God”. Will you please commit to praying for the students, faculty, and missionaries at NTCC? Pray for the opportunity to make disciples who make disciples. Also, pray the BSM makes disciples that makes the campus noticeably better.
2. Serve at the BSM (Engage)
While prayer is certainly the most important way you and your church can serve the BSM, we have multiple other ways. At the August HPBA Kingdom Gathering I reported that every student who was actively involved in our Tuesday night #globalimpact last semester is plugged in and serving a local church today. The students are willing and able to serve, but we first need to reach them. Here are two ways your church can reach students and serve at the BSM:
Global Impact: Every Tuesday night college students and young adults from NETX gather at the BSM building for Bible study and fellowship at 6pm. This year we will be focused on intentional discipleship, and teaching students how to multiply themselves as disciples of Christ. Last year we were blessed to partner with local churches who provided pastors and lay leaders to join us during this time. Again, I am only one man and my wife is one woman. The BSM does not replace the local church. I credit the local church for stepping in and discipling students, as a result students are serving at the local church. It is a wonderful picture. So, if you have someone looking for opportunities to serve and disciple what Shane Pruitt calls the “NOW Generation” this is it!
*Starting August 30
First Wednesday Free Lunch: We will be serving free lunch the first Wednesday of the month (Sept-Dec). But, this won’t be the typical free lunch at the BSM. I see this as an amazing opportunity for your church to refine their gospel-sharing skills. Send your most evangelistic, heart on fire for Jesus, folks and give them an opportunity at evangelizing without having to knock on doors! Along with your most evangelistic, we would LOVE for your hospitality gifted folks to join us as well. I am actively seeking four churches who are willing to provide and serve meals for our free lunch.
*Starting September 7
3. Give to the BSM (Equip)
Along with the BSM, I am a local church pastor. The (unique?) thing about our church is we are small, and most of our folks aren’t able to physically serve at the BSM. But, they still serve the mission of the BSM. First of all, they are prayer warriors. Second, they give with a generous heart. Over the past two school years, what I have come to find is there are many churches who can physically serve but can’t financially support. Others, can financially support but can’t physically serve. I love this about the Harmony Pittsburg Baptist Association. However a church can step up, they will. If you feel led to financially support the BSM above and beyond the HPBA budget, feel free to designate funds to the BSM when you give to the HPBA.
4. Engage, Encourage, Equip
Obviously, if I could choose any of the four for you… I would ask that you go all in for the most moldable, send-able, trainable demographic in our community. Most of all, I praise the Lord for you and your church for taking the time to consider furthering your support of the mission at the Baptist Student Ministry at NTCC
I have personally seen lives changed through Baptist Student Ministry, and it is only because of your support that it is possible. Please let me know how we will partner this school year to advance the Gospel on the NTCC campus for the glory of God.
