With more than 200 active students, the Baptist College Ministry has had a reputation for providing students with a number of spiritual and emotional resources for 75 years now.
BCM was originally founded in 1939 by head football coach Joe Black Hayes Sr. who named the organization the Baptist Student Union.
Hayes had seen how many different denominations had groups on campuses across the south with growing popularity so he decided that it was time for one in Martin.
At first all meetings were led by volunteers at the First Baptist Church here in Martin but in 1961 the current BCM building was built to allow students who did not have transportation have the opportunity to congregate and worship close to campus.
Also in the late 1950s and early 1960s, a few volunteer positions became permanent with salary compensations to allow qualified ministers and assistants help students in their journey through their college years. This combination of a closer more convenient location and qualified leaders built the confidence in students and significantly increased student participation.
In 2000 BCM as we know it today came to exist by a name change from Baptist Student Union, which was often confused with the Black Student Union, to Baptist Collegiate Ministry.
Today there are 33 student leaders who lead BCM events in fellowship and worship. Some of the more popular weekly events are the Noonday Meal, which is a free meal provided by a local church every Thursday at noon, and the Worship Well, which is a student lead worship on Tuesdays at 6p.m.
Many other events occur during the year to celebrate holidays, the school year, and just a good time with a focus on fellowship and community.
BCM also offers mission trips for students interested in spreading the word of God while helping others. Some trips include Haiti, Maine, New York and Seattle which are all planned for either Spring Break or Summer Break following Graduation.
Other amenities offered by BCM include a game room, study areas and meeting areas.
BCM is meant to be a safe haven for students and it is BCM’s mission to help students live the life that God has set before them and challenge them to fulfill their mission as child of God.
For a full list of weekly events and upcoming mission trips visit the BCM website at utmbcm.org, or contact Morgan Owen, the campus minister, at utmbcm@gmail.com or 731-431-6302.
