By Audrey Valenzuela | Staff Writer
The Baylor University Board of Regents approved the construction of a Baptist Student Ministries (BSM) center in conjunction with the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT).
Over the last eight years, BSM has shared the Bobo Spiritual Life Center with other groups. However, the building has become too small for the growth in attendance it has seen, according to BSM Director William Bowden.
“BSM has over 600 students attending, 140 of which are leaders,” Bowden said. “The new building will be a multipurpose space, providing staff offices and an area for student training and worship.”
Located at the corner of 4th Street and Daughtrey Avenue, the new building is estimated to be 12,000 square feet. The plan includes a coffee shop and pickleball court alongside the multipurpose space.
BSM student ministry leader Jonah Kramer said these additions provide an opportunity for more student body outreach.
“This is an opportunity for BSM to connect with students on campus on a new and larger scale,” Kramer said. “We plan to add a coffee shop to bring in people with no desire to connect with us and love them and welcome them, showing them who we are and what we do.”
According to BaylorProud, BSM is hoping to raise $9 million for the new building, and Bowden said they hope to reach this goal in the next year. Once the funding goal is met, construction is expected to last about two years. A precise timeline won’t be available until funds are raised.
Students in Baylor Student Ministries participate in many local service opportunities, according to Kramer. They travel to churches such as Church Under the Bridge and homeless shelters downtown such as My Brother’s Keeper with the goal of spreading the gospel, building relationships and providing meals.
“Before Baylor, I didn’t interact with or experience people with homelessness,” Kramer said. “Through the program, I got to experience this and grow in my humility and love for people who often have struggles and hardships that I wasn’t aware of growing up. I also get to share my love of Christ through everyday interaction!”
Discipleship is essential for BSM, Bowden said. It gives members the strength to serve people across Waco and beyond, whether through prayer or lending a helping hand with meals.
“The goal for our new building is not only to provide a space to gather but to continue to give our student leaders the practice they need in college to teach and spread the word of God to others, preparing them to do the same out in the world,” Bowden said.
