The Baptist Collegiate Ministry is an organization on campus that is devoted to serving all students, reaching out to international students and students of different cultures.
Throughout the week, the BCM offers a variety of services for various students, including English clubs and homework help for international students.
“English clubs are a place where students can come make friends and learn about different slang words, idioms, colloquialisms and things like that, which can help them keep up with American sayings,” said Angie Shepherd, associate director of the BCM.
Homework help is a program where students can get help with their homework, have their papers read, and are helped to understand what the professors ask of them.
Along with the homework help and English clubs, the BCM often sponsors many events specially catered for international students.
Ashlee Matthews, a sophomore English major and a member of the student leadership team at the BCM, said that it is important to the BCM to build relationships with the international students and get them involved with American students.
“I think it’s important because we are called to go to the ends of the earth and share the gospel,” said Matthews.
One international student who has received help and gotten involved with the BCM is Krishna Ghimire, a junior medical laboratory science major from Nepal. Ghimire became involved with the BCM when a friend invited him his freshman year. Since then, he has taken a larger role, serving on the leadership team and going with the BCM on a mission trip to New York City.
“[The BCM] is a good place to interact with people, to meet a lot of friends, to learn what Christianity is about and how Christians care about you. Even if you are not Christian, they care about you and pray for you and are always ready to help you,” said Ghimire.
The BCM recently centered their Tuesday Haven Worship on Crossing Cultures, hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. The fraternity explained and demonstrated the differences in worship between cultures.
Any students interested in learning more about the BCM or the services they offer are encouraged to contact them at www.ulmbcm.com or at the BCM on campus during the week.
