New Baptist Student Ministry center coming to Baylor’s campus

Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) is getting a new space on Baylor’s campus!

This spring, Baylor deeded over land for a new BSM center to the Baptist General Convention of Texas, which is working to complete fundraising for the new facility. The new center (see the rendering above) will be built at the corner of South Fourth Street and Daughtrey Avenue — near East Village and the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation.

For years, the BSM has shared space in the Bobo Spiritual Life Building with Baylor’s Department of Spiritual Life. But as both ministries have grown, it’s become apparent each could use its own space.

“Five years ago, Baylor and Texas Baptists reaffirmed the place of Baptist Student Ministry as having priority status as a student organization at Baylor,” says Mark Jones, director of the Texas Baptists’ Center for Collegiate Ministry. “BSM leadership, working with Baylor leaders as well as numerous pastors and volunteers from local churches, has seen a historic movement of God among Baylor students. The momentum of this movement of God is having an immediate impact on the experience these students have at Baylor as well as a generational impact that will be seen for years to come. A new building for the Baptist Student Ministry will be a vital place for training, worship and leadership collaboration.”

The Baptist Student Ministry is a cooperative ministry of Texas Baptist churches that encourages students to follow Christ and transform the world. For almost a century, BSM at Baylor (at times known as the Baptist Student Union, or BSU) has played a significant role in the spiritual formation of Baylor students. Many of Baylor’s traditions, including Welcome Week and Missions Emphasis Week, started as ministries of the BSU! Today, BSM leads out on ministries like Pathway (helping freshmen transition to college) and FM72 (72 hours of prayer and worship in the heart of campus).

“Baptist Student Ministry is extraordinarily special in the story of Baylor University,” says Baylor President Linda Livingstone. “This agreement with the BGCT upholds our Christian mission and distinct place in higher education, and it further strengthens Baylor’s historic ties to Texas Baptists. The BSM center will provide another sacred space on our campus for Baylor students to grow spiritually, know God and make Him known.”

Texas Baptists so far have raised more than $3 million of the estimated $9 million needed to build the facility and create an endowment that will cover its upkeep. You can learn more about plans for the building and how you can play a part at BaylorBSM.com.

Sic ’em, Baylor Baptist Student Ministry!