NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry is marking 100 years of ministry to students while beginning a new chapter under new leadership.
The organization was founded in June 1926 at what was then Louisiana State Normal School. Originally known as Baptist Student Union, the ministry has continued through the university’s name changes, campus growth and generations of students.
This year also brought a leadership transition for the organization, with Austin McCurry becoming BCM director following the retirement of Bill Collins, who served as director for 37 years. Collins’ wife, Phyllis, served alongside him as a partner in ministry and worked with generations of NSU students during their time with BCM.
“Just to be the BCM director at Northwestern is really special,” McCurry said. “I think to do it in the 100th year is really meaningful, to be able to celebrate all that the Lord has done in the last 100 years while we also get the opportunity this year to look forward to what’s coming.”
McCurry is an NSU graduate and was involved with BCM as a student, giving him experience with the organization from both sides of its ministry.
“My experience here was life-changing,” McCurry said. “This was the place where I first got involved with missions opportunities and first had opportunities to lead Bible studies. It was the place where I had all of my firsts.”
McCurry said his experience as a student and his connection to NSU ultimately led him back to the ministry.
“What led me back here was just ultimately a love for this university and this town and this ministry that changed my life,” he said. “I want to be able to do that with other students now.”
Throughout its history, BCM has operated under several names and from several locations near and on the NSU campus. The ministry was originally known as Baptist Student Union and later became Baptist Collegiate Ministry in 2000.
The organization’s first university-provided religious space was in a large house on Second Street. Louisiana Baptists later constructed a 13,000-square-foot facility on what was then College Avenue, now University Parkway, across from Watson Library.
In the early 2000s, BCM began the process of relocating back to campus. Construction of a new facility was delayed by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, and the ministry operated from several temporary locations before its current facility on Organization Row was completed in 2009.
The ministry has provided students with opportunities for worship, Bible study, service projects, mission trips and fellowship throughout its history. Generations of student leaders, directors and staff members have also served through the organization.
Haidyn Brossett is serving alongside McCurry as assistant director as the organization enters its second century. Like McCurry, Brossett was involved with BCM as an NSU student before returning to serve in a leadership role.
“The BCM radically changed my life whenever I was a student,” Brossett said. “The Lord provided opportunities for me to serve after I graduated, and then he opened the door for assistant director.”
Beginning that role during BCM’s centennial year has also given Brossett a sense of the history behind the ministry.
“Honestly, it’s a little intimidating,” she said. “I have the thought often of, ‘Can you really do this?’ It’s been done so well for the past 100 years. I get down to it and, no, I can’t do it, but I know that the Lord can do it through me. I have faith to believe for the next 100 years it’ll be great, if not better.”
Brossett said BCM continues to focus on giving students a place to connect while sharing its faith across the university community.
“The BCM brings to this campus and to our town a practically 24/7 place for students to have a place to belong,” she said. “They can hear about Jesus, they can learn about Jesus, and I hope that to this campus we bring the love of Christ to everyone — every department, every classroom, every dorm room.”
Brossett said she also hopes the ministry’s impact extends beyond the university.
“I also hope that it doesn’t stay here,” she said. “I believe that it will go out, it will go into Natchitoches Parish and surrounding areas and hopefully to the ends of the earth.”
As BCM recognizes its history at NSU, McCurry and Brossett are also looking toward the organization’s future and how it can continue serving students.
“We would not be here celebrating our 100th anniversary without all of those who have supported this work,” McCurry said. “We hope and pray that they continue to believe in this ministry here and that over the next century, they’ll continue to support us, pray with us, partner with us to help us reach the Northwestern campus.”
BCM will continue its centennial celebration this fall with events recognizing 100 years of ministry at Northwestern State. BSU and BCM alumni, church and community members and their families are invited to a Centennial Celebration at noon Oct. 10 at the BCM. The event will provide an opportunity for former and current members to reconnect and share memories from the organization’s history.
Past BSU and BCM presidents and their families are also invited to a meal at noon Oct. 24 at the BCM during Northwestern State’s Homecoming weekend. Former presidents will be recognized on the field during the Homecoming football game.
More information about the BCM and its centennial activities is available at nsulabcm.com. Updates are also available by following @nsulabcm on Instagram and NSULA BCM on Facebook.