The Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) and The Mission Church held events just before the start of school to acclimate freshmen and transfer students to UTM.
The BCM held its annual four-day “Survival” event to help students make friends, develop a community of Christian young-adults and begin the school year in a more relaxed environment. The week traditionally includes worship time, games, small group discussions and sessions on what to expect at college.
The BCM has been hosting Survival for six years and this year was their record year with 136 new students participating. That means including staff, there were 190 people in attendance which exceeds the comfortable space of the BCM. Neighbor and occasional partner, The Wesley Foundation lent a helping hand by allowing students participating in Survival to eat lunch at their facility.
“All students are welcome to be involved. Students don’t pay dues, [they] just plug into the things that they have time for and that help them grow in their faith,” said Mo Owen, campus minister for the BCM.
The Mission held a similar four-day event called “Fire Week.” The event is open to all students, but is mainly geared toward freshmen and transfer students.
Fire Week focuses on students who are interested in growing in Christ. The week includes worship, discussions and group activities.
This was the first year for Fire Week on the campus of UTM and though the publicity of the event was low, there were still 24 students in attendance, including volunteers.
“We want to see revival take place on this campus and to see students … transform this campus and this world,” DeQuad Jimmerson said. Jimmerson is a UTM senior majoring in Communications and the College Outreach Pastor for The Mission Church.
The Mission Church is located at 205 Oakland Street and students are welcome to attend services at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays.
The Baptist Collegiate Ministry is located at 112 Hurt Street and students can visit any time Monday-Friday before 9 p.m.
For more information on events hosted by The Mission, The BCM, Wesley Foundation, The Church of Christ Student Center, Skyhawk Catholic, or any other religious affiliated groups on campus, check out OrgSync online.
