Oklahoma Collegiate Ministries welcomed students back to school with hundreds of friends, new and old, at Momentum.
More than 700 students from Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) and churches around the state met up at OKC, Eagle Heights on September 5. Friendly faces welcomed students to one of the largest BCM gatherings.
The Charlie Hall Band, based in Oklahoma City, led worship by music.
Cris Lowery, BCM Specialist at the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO), loves the excitement students have for a new school year. “We want Momentum to be a great place for students to gather and kick off their school year heading in the right direction. This year we brought the Charlie Hall Band, a high energy group that knows how to connect with students as well as some of the best teachers to lead breakout sessions.”
Breakout leaders taught on subjects about how to get ready for the workplace, discussed the practicalities of everyday evangelism, how to be fiscally responsible, the battle men and women have to deal with daily, adopting a cause and explored religious pluralism.
Tawa Anderson led a full breakout session discussing if all religions lead to heaven.
Tawa Anderson, Oklahoma Baptist University Assistant Professor of Philosophy, led the breakout on whether all religions led to heaven. “If you think other religions can lead to heaven, my goal tonight is to change your mind.”
Michael Lopez works with the International Mission Board on how to engage students. He said “yearly we send 3,000-8,000 students around the world on mission trips.” During his breakout session he encouraged students to adopt a cause, become an advocate and change the world.
Before students went to breakout sessions the Charlie Hall band led everyone in a time of worship. From the stage Charlie Hall told students to “connect with God. See how amazing He is. Watch how giving your life fully to Him changes your life in awesome ways.”
Lowery said, “Through Momentum we want to show students practical helps before they get too far into their year. They are pressured from every angle to do different things, this is an event that is easy to invite people to and get them plugged in with believers who will encourage them to follow God’s direction.”
Students had the opportunity to explore different ministry opportunities, talk to recruiters from three different seminaries, talk to the directors of CrossTimbers Mission Adventure Camp and Falls Creek about summer jobs and connect with the different breakout leaders.
During the final worship time the BGCO BCM team planned a special treat. On stage was a man, Collin Rosebrook, with a potting wheel. Through the spoken word the gospel story from creation to redemption was heard and seen as Rosebrook proceeded to shape and mold the clay into a beautiful vessel. He created a vase from a lump of clay, relating to students in a visual manner that God wants to mold and use them in their world.
Lowery wanted to create a unique memory for those who attended Momentum. “I want students to remember that they are part of a great story that God began long ago.”
“We want to give students encouragement and challenge them to spread the Gospel throughout their dorm rooms and class rooms.
Oklahoma Collegiate Ministry has the opportunity to reach students with the gospel on 39 different campuses and 1,800-plus churches around Oklahoma. To find out more information visit www.bgco.org/BCM.
