Parents & Youth Ministers Partnering with Collegiate Ministers

When reaching out to incoming freshmen our BCM here at LSU invites area and state youth ministers and parents of the incoming students to partner with us to involve their students in our ministry and a local church. We have found this a very effective way to increase our involvement of incoming freshmen.

We mail a letter to the parents of all of the incoming freshmen whose names and contact information we are able to secure. We ask them to partner with us in involving their son or daughter. We ask them to complete a survey about their son or daughter and to mail it back to us. This greatly helps us know more about the student before they arrive on campus. You can view a sample of the Parent Letter and Survey or by clicking the link in the downloads section to the right.

We make contact with each student after we receive their survey. After making contact with the student we either make a telephone call or send an email to the parent about the contact with the student. If the student doesn’t become involved in the BCM that school year we will make contact with them again each year until they graduate. We have included our parents letter and survey at the end of this article. We also include testimonies about BCM involvement from parents, which is included.

If an incoming freshman signs up to participate in one of our BCM Freshmen Family Group Bible Studies or our Freshmen Council Leadership Team then we email his or her Youth Minister and inform them the student has signed up. We ask them to encourage the student to follow through on this commitment. We ask them to partner with us in involving the student in our ministry and the ministry of a local church. You can view a sample of the EMAIL we send to youth ministers or by clicking the link in the downloads section to the right.

A few years ago I was in a meeting of college ministers and youth ministers discussing our transitions ministry efforts. Several of the Youth Ministers shared they provide names of their students to BCM Directors, but they never hear back what type of contact was made with the student or their response. This triggered our emailing of our area and state youth ministers.

We have included the template we use in emailing our youth ministers. I hope these two ideas may be of help to you in reaching out to the incoming freshmen class of 2012. Email me at lsubcm@eatel.net or call me at 225-343-0408 if I can ever help you in any way. I would love to hear ideas and strategies that you are using to reach freshmen.

Steve Masters – BCM Director at LSU & LifeWay Transitions Coordinator

Plugging Freshmen in BEFORE They Arrive

In my opinion reaching, connecting with and having an incoming freshmen sign up for a specific ministry before they arrive on campus for the fall semester is more important than ever! Beginning college is a major culture shock for incoming freshmen. They are dealing with major changes in their lives in so many areas.

The stronger the relationship a BCM and a local collegiate church has with the freshman then the better the chance is that they will become involved in that ministry. I examined the roster of freshmen that become involved in our LSU BCM ministry during the 2011-2012 school year and discovered that over 75% of the freshmen who are active in our ministry had signed up for a Freshmen Family Group or our Freshmen Council by the time they arrived on campus.

Most of the other 25% that become involved in our ministry were friends of the 75%. One of the major goals of our freshmen ministry is that every freshman whose name we have is contacted by our BCM and by one of our local collegiate churches by telephone (cell or home). They will also receive emails and newsletters. During our contact with them we invite them to join a Freshmen Bible Study Group and our BCM Freshmen Council.

If they do they are then assigned to a specific Bible study and contacted again by the leader of that Freshmen Bible Study and or one of the leaders of our Freshmen Council. We secure prayer requests for the student and begin to pray for them. We ask our BCM leaders to stay in regular contact with the student throughout the summer.

We ask the incoming freshman to share the names of other freshmen they would like us to invite to the BCM. We receive many names by doing so and we contact each of them.

Another effective way that we have used to reach freshmen is by sending a letter to the parents of all of the freshmen on our database. We ask the parents to complete a survey about their son or daughter. The survey helps us know the students interests, high school activities and sports involvement and their church background and involvement. Over 70 parents each year mail us in a survey. They also share the names of friends of their students for us to contact.

We invite all of the freshmen on our database to attend Collegiate Week at Glorieta. Many go with us. This has been a great way for them to connect with each other and with our upperclassmen and our church and BCM staff.  If you don’t go to Collegiate Week take them on a beach trip or a retreat or some other type of outing.

During the summer we sign as many freshmen as we can for the Freshmen Council. This is a leadership, fellowship group that meets for 45 minutes each week in the fall before our major weekly worship service. Our major goal for the group is to help them connect with each other through games, small groups, leadership activities, etc. We have found their signing up gives them “ownership” of our ministry before they even arrive on campus. Email me at lsubcm@eatel.net if you would like information of our Freshmen Council.

Connecting our incoming freshmen with a local church is one of our major ministry goals. We kick off the fall semester with an event called Survival.  All of our seminar leaders for this event are local church collegiate ministers/leaders. These leaders are invited to a series of kick-off events which include a picnic, a scavenger hunt and then a road trip to our area churches. Our second worship service of the semester is always “Church Night”. Each local church is invited to have a table set up with information about their church so students can meet and get to know them. 

Each fall we form a Freshmen Praise Band. This group leads praise and worship on Wednesday nights for area youth groups and leads youth D.N. weekends and retreats. Having this group has helped us to reach out to area youth groups. This group has also helped us to replace members of our BCM Worship Band as they graduate.

Most of the upperclassmen leaders of our BCM were involved in our BCM as freshmen. This has helped them realize the importance of our freshmen ministry and fostered a culture of care and concern for freshmen.

Please help our nation’s collegiate ministry as we minister to freshmen by entering the names of the graduating high school seniors from your church into www.sbccampusconnect.net. All names entered will be networked to the collegiate minister of the college or university they will attend.

Please use the summer to reach out to freshmen who will be attending your college this fall. Please email or call me at 225-343-0408 if I can help you in any way.

Steve Masters

Transitions Ministry

SBC Campus Connect

​The transition between high school and college is always one of the most difficult for students to make. Many high school students end up remaining in church youth groups long after they have begun college because of the fear of the unknown. Many enter college and never get plugged into any type of campus ministry because they are unaware that they even exist.
​If you are a youth minister, one way to help bridge the “great gulf fixed” between high school and college is to inform your high school juniors and seniors about Baptist Collegiate Ministries. We are located on hundreds of campuses of colleges and universities throughout the U.S. By simply visiting the SBC Campus Connect website at www.sbccampusconnect.net , you can enter a student’s information regarding what school they plan to attend and the campus minister at that school will receive the information. He or she can then contact the student before they even arrive on campus and they already have an instant connection with a campus ministry.
​Not only can youth ministers help with this but it can also be done at larger events to help get the word out. In Spring 2011, at a Youth Evangelism Conference in Lakeland, we set up laptop computers for high school seniors to come by and enter their own information. Every senior who entered their information on the SBC Campus Connect website was entered into a drawing for a free i-pod. Little promotions like this can help as dozens of students willingly participated for the chance to win the prize. More importantly, these students are already being contacted by campus ministers throughout the state of Florida and beyond so that they have an instant connection when they set foot on their college campus.
​While SBC Campus Connect will certainly not solve the problem of the dechurched students altogether, it is one way to build a bridge. Baptist Collegiate Ministries is an arm of the local church on the college campus to provide leadership, discipleship, missions, and evangelism opportunities for college students on the front lines of ministry. Don’t let your graduating seniors miss out on this chance to stay connected.

Lance T. Beauchamp
Director, Baptist Collegiate Ministries
Florida State University
(904) 588-2104
lancebeauchamp@fsubcm.org

Reaching, Connecting and Strengthening Freshmen

There are a large variety of ways to reach freshmen, to connect them to a local church and to strengthen them in their faith. In this and in future transitions articles for our BCM E-Newsletter various collegiate ministers will share how they do so. Please email me strategies, ministries, materials, etc… that you use to reach freshmen which will be included in future articles. Email me at lsubcm@eatel.net. Thanks to Tony, Nate and Austin for sharing.

University of West Florida BCM

The University of West Florida is a commuter campus. Only 11% of the students live on campus. We involve freshmen in many ways. We involve freshmen in the following ways:

1. They serve on our leadership team

2. We do have freshmen "fish schools" or small group Bible studies.

3. They serve in our Praise Band.

4. Freshmen participate in our mission trips

5. Freshmen participate in all activities, ministries and campus events in which BCM is involved or leads.

6. They lead dorm Bible studies in their dorms.

Our BCM mission statement is "To know God and make Him Known". We want freshmen involved in every aspect of our ministry. We provide a wonderful environment for students to discover and develop their gifts and passions in service for Christ.

Tony Olesky, BCM Director, University of West Florida, (850)473-7474, aolesky@uwf.edu

First Baptist Church, Denton, Texas

Our main goal for freshman is to get them connected to community before anyone else. By anyone else, we don't mean other ministries, we mean Fraternities, Sororities and other organizations on campus. We feel like if we can get them connected to community early on then we can keep them from being among the percentage that bail from the church.

The main way we try to accomplish this is by trying to get them to commit to being in a 4 week, Freshman Community Group at the beginning of the semester. Those Community Groups are led by upperclassmen who, once those 4 week Freshman Community Groups are over, will continue to lead Community Groups that are open to all students. The idea is that after those 4 weeks, the freshmen know each other as well as their leaders and will hopefully continue to stay plugged into their leaders' Community Group.

Austin Wadlow, University Minister, FBC Denton, 940.382.2577, www.overflowdenton.com

University of Alabama BCM

1) We kick it all off with our "10Days of Insanity" (10 events in 10 days at the beginning of the fall). Survival is the Monster within the rest of the madness.

2) Journey Groups (Small Group Bible studies): Survival occurs on Monday night, School starts on Wednesday, and Freshmen Journey Groups begin the very next Monday (first full wk of classes).

3) Over the past few years we've done variations on Monday night. We've used multiple "Threads" studies (Chase the Goose, In Transit, Connect the dots). Most recently we did "Chazown" (lifechurch.tv - Craig Groeschel).

4) Freshmen Journey Groups meet at the BCM (we want them in our building getting comfy and feeling like they can 'belong' there).

5) On Monday nights, the entire group of freshmen meet together for a short time of welcome, ice breakers (first 2wks), announcements, and worship through song. After about 20 minutes, we divide into groups (co-ed) and keep the same groups for the duration of the study.

*note: Most recently we did a dvd driven study (group leaders were not asked to prepare - simply to facilitate conversation and foster relationships with and among their freshmen). The corporate time lasted about 30min - leaving 30min of discussion time.

6) Freshmen Leadership Team: most recently, we've opened participation in this to any freshmen interested (I like this). Formerly, we asked each journey group to select 2 reps (we also appointed some at-large members). Like I said, I like the open to anyone thing better. I see us repeating this next year.

7) FLT in the fall: we spend our wkly meetings pouring into and developing these students. There are no "tasks" assigned. We've mostly used Tim Elmore stuff. This year, we invited key upperclassmen to teach a few times - I see more of this in the future.

8) FLT in spring: toward the end of the fall, we work with them to identify a target group on campus to reach out to. We're 2 years into this. Last year they selected the Theater dept. We identified a cast and crew. We assigned prayer warriors for them. We assembled and delivered goodie bags, pizza after rehearsal, sent encouraging cards, and mobilized other BCM students to attend the show least likely to have good crowd. This year, they've identified the Air Force ROTC Cadets. We're working through the local detachment commander to provide breakfast in a bag after PT, an invitation to our weekly Lunch (Wednesday), and a nice dinner after their drills. In addition, we are working to provide an Airman's Bible to each Cadet. Once we receive Cadet names, students will be assigned to pray for them.

9) With regard to Bible studies in the spring. We offer a variety (Fall: Freshmen do their thing and Upperclassmen do theirs - Spring: everybody is mixed up together). Students sign up for what they want when they want it. *Studies are approved by BCM staff and must have a book/curriculum (none of this "where the spirit leads" stuff).

In February we select our new leadership team. Ideally, we have a strong showing of freshmen on this (maybe 1/2).

Nate Young, BCM Director, University of Alabama, (205)345-3983, nate@bama.ua.edu

Steve Masters, Transitions Contract Worker

Reaching Freshmen Later In The Fall Semester

Two of the best BCM presidents we have had during my 20 years at LSU didn’t become involved in our ministry until January of their freshman year. Both of them went on a BCM ski trip and meet and connected with our students and staff. They both stayed very involved in our ministry and became presidents during their senior years.

This is a great reminder to me each year to not give up on involving freshmen in our ministry. There is no question that most of the freshmen involved in our ministry do so during the first two weeks of the first semester. Some become super involved and either stay or become involved in one of our local sponsoring churches. Others for a variety of reasons don’t attend anything we sponsor. It’s easy to think they just aren’t interested when in many cases this is not the case. Many of them want to get involved. I think it’s very important we keep trying to reach out to them. Here are some suggestions on ways you can involve freshmen in your ministry at the end of the fall semester or at the beginning of the spring semester.

1. Retreats, Events, Mission Trips – Each fall our BCM sponsors a mission trip to work with the Bowery Mission in Lower Manhatten during the week after finals in December. We always have some freshmen sign up for the trip that weren’t involved at the beginning of the semester. We have had some sign up that didn’t attend anything at the BCM until they signed up. We sponsor a ski trip each January and have the same experiences with freshmen. Many of you attend the Passion Conference in January. These types of trips can be a great way to involve freshmen.

2. Ministry Meals – I have had good success with involving freshmen into our ministry later in the semester by either hosting them for a meal at our BCM or taking them out to eat. If I or one of our leaders calls a freshman and they are interested in our ministry I set up a meal with them. I invite a couple of other freshmen or upperclassmen leaders to join us. This has been a great way for us to really connect with the students. For many of them it’s their first visit to the BCM. We also set up meals with freshmen after they attend a BCM meeting.

3. Collegiate Church Ministry Partnership – We provide the names and contact information of freshmen that attend our BCM for the first time to our local collegiate churches so they can reach out to the student and invite them to their church. This has been a great way to help the freshmen get involved in a local church. Many of them have then attended the BCM as a result of meeting and getting to know BCM students at the church.

4. Parents Surveys – Send a letter to the parents of all of the freshmen whose names you secure. Ask the parents to partner with you to reach and involve their son or daughter in your ministry. Ask them to fill out a survey that provides you with information about them. The vast majority of parents of college students want their son or daughter to grow and mature in their faith while they are in college. This week I have met with five different freshmen who want to get involved in our ministry as a result of parents survey information. Email me if you would like me to send you a copy of our parents survey.

5. Youth Ministers – Email the youth minister of the church where an incoming freshman was involved in high school. Ask them to partner with you in involving the student. Ask them to encourage the student to get involved in your ministry.

Steve Masters, Transitions Contract Worker

An Open Letter to a College Freshman

Here's a good article: An Open Letter to a College Freshman by Timothy Dalrymple

Reaching Freshmen

Reaching out to freshmen is one of our most important tasks. The following are some ideas you might consider using to reach freshmen for your ministry.

1. Parents Surveys – Send a letter and a student survey to the parents of all of the freshmen names you secure at orientations, from churches, etc. Ask the parents to fill out the survey about their son or daughter. The survey would include such things as their church background, the students interests, their high school involvement, etc. At LSU we receive over 50 of these surveys each year. It greatly increases our chances of involving the student. Ask the parent to partner with your ministry to help the student become involved in the campus based ministry and to stay or become involved in a local Baptist church.
2. Youth Minister Email – Send an email to the youth minister of each freshman name you secure. Ask them to partner with you to help the student to get involved. Ask the youth minister to share with you information about the student. Many will do so. This involves them in the connection process.
3. Personal Cards and Letters – Have current college students in your ministry or adults in your local churches write a personal note or email to all of the freshmen whose names you secure. First Baptist Church of Lubbock, Texas does this each year and it’s been an effective way to reach freshmen for them.
4. Freshmen Bible Studies – Many collegiate ministers sponsor specific Bible study groups for freshmen. These are usually led by upperclassmen. Other leaders could include church or campus based ministry staff. One of the reasons for sponsoring such groups is because of the common interests, backgrounds, etc. freshmen have. One of the issues to deal with if you sponsor such groups is how to help the freshmen and upperclassmen in your ministry get to know and connect with each other. The purposes of the Freshmen Bible studies are Bible study, prayer and fellowship.
5. Freshmen Council/Freshmen Leadership Team – Sponsor a leadership group for freshmen. The purposes of this group would be fellowship, leadership development and ministry. If you have such a group, give them specific ministry responsibilities. Freshmen want to use their gifts, talents and abilities for the Lord.
6. Freshmen Retreat – Sponsor a retreat for your freshmen. Let it be led by the upperclassmen in your ministry. Doing so provides wonderful opportunities for the freshmen to get to know each other.
7. Freshmen Praise Band – Form a Freshmen Praise Band. The main responsibility of the group would be to led praise and worship for area youth ministers. Many of the freshmen coming in to our ministries played or sang in a Praise Band during their years in their youth group. Having such a group gives them a place of service and helps them feel ownership of your ministry. Having such a group also helps you prepare students for leading your ministry in worship as your worship service Praise Band and helps you connect with future youth for your ministry.
8. High School Seniors – Consider inviting High School Seniors to your weekly meetings or to a mission trip, retreat, etc. Your college football team is working with, getting to know, recruiting, etc. High School Seniors. They have a team of people doing this. This is an excellent example of how we can more effectively reach freshmen in future years.
9. Freshmen Adoption – Have the upperclassman in your ministry adopt a freshman. Ask the upperclassman to be a prayer partner, mentor, etc. to this student.
10. Campus Based/Church Based Partnership – If you are a campus based ministry then share the names and contact information of all freshmen that attend your ministry with your local churches. If you are a church based ministry do the same with your campus based ministry. We want a freshman to be involved in both and not just either.
11. Mission Trips/State Conferences – One of the best ways to reach a freshman is by inviting them to one of your retreats, mission trips or by their attending a state or national conference. This is especially true for commuters.
12. Referrals – As you reach out to freshmen ask if they would like your ministry to contact a friend or friends of theirs to invite them to your ministry. We have had a lot of students get involved in our ministry as a result of these contacts.
13. Continue to Reach Out – Many of the freshmen that become involved in our ministries do so during the first few weeks of school. However, others may not get involved right away. Some of the sharpest freshmen we have reached where I have served as director didn’t get involved until their second semester or even the end of their first year. Some of these were involved in our college band or athletics or a fraternity and sorority or something similar which kept them from having as much time to be involved in our ministry. I feel it’s never too late to reach a freshman. If they don’t get involved during their freshman year then keep trying during their sophomore, junior and senior years.

Please email me at lsubcm@eatel.net with other ideas/strategies, etc. that you have used to reach freshmen.

by Steve Masters