NORMAN– Leaders with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO) have accepted a contract with the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents for the purchase of the BGCO’s present University of Oklahoma (OU) Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) property, which is located at 435 West Boyd Street. The BCM property is adjacent to the Boyd House, the University President’s home in Norman, Okla., and was purchased at the sale price of $1.6 million.
The BGCO simultaneously entered into a 90-year ground lease with the Board of Regents of the University for a piece of property located at 1203 Elm Avenue in Norman, which will be developed and become the future site of a new BCM Building on the campus of OU.
“We are delighted with this development and believe this is a mutually beneficial arrangement for our ministry and the University, as well” said BGCO Executive Director-Treasurer Dr. Anthony L. Jordan. “The property previously occupied by our ministry meets a need for the University, and the new ground lease site from OU will place our ministry in a strategic location on campus, closer to the students we serve.”
The Boyd property which had served Oklahoma Baptists’ BCM ministry (previously called Baptist Student Union) since 1953, was analyzed and found to be in a state beyond simple renovation for use. The property had not been suitable for use for the ministry’s activities in recent years. The BCM ministry, during those years, met at a property belonging to Bethel Baptist Church in Norman for its ongoing activities.
The BGCO will be raising funds to help build its new facilities at OU, which are walking distance from the majority of student dorms and proposed student housing. At a later date, the BGCO will announce more specifics to its plans for the future ministry location.
“The primary mission of the BCM is to reach students for Jesus Christ through evangelism and discipleship alongside the local church,” said BCM State Director Cris Lowery. “This new opportunity enables the BCM to further its vibrant participation in the OU community, through a higher profile ministry location near student housing and other on-campus student organizations.”
