Texas BSM holds ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of new building

WACO – Wednesday, August 19, Texas Baptists Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in partnership with the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation (TBMF) for the grand opening of the new BSM building at Baylor University. 

Baylor BSM Director Will Bowden said reflecting on the construction process for the building caused him to also reflect on how God is building the ministry. 

“Just under a year ago, we were standing behind one of these podiums on just gravel on this land, expecting God to build this building and to build this ministry. I saw the gravel where they built the foundation, and I came back, and then they're putting in pipes. And I came back, and they're starting to put up the structure [and when building was finished], we started bringing in the furniture and the building was done,” Bowden said. “The building up of this ministry is not done. There's so much more that God is going to do.”

The ribbon was cut, signifying the grand opening of the new BSM building at Baylor and Charlie Ramsey, university chaplain and dean of Spiritual Life at Baylor, read from 2 Chronicles 7, Hebrews 13 and 1 Peter 2.

Baylor University President Linda Livingstone said that in the same way the temple was constructed, prayed over and dedicated in 2 Chronicles 7, God has worked mightily in and through the BSM at Baylor for generations.  

“We are delighted that he is able to make this [building] a dedicated dwelling place for many, many years to come,” Livingstone said. “This facility provides such a wonderful opportunity to grow and minister together. We have a great impact place to gather, a place to build a community and to grow as disciples of Christ… We are so excited for all God's going to do in and through this new building.” 

She thanked donors and the Mabee Foundation for giving generously to the building construction, and the Texas Baptists family and churches for their investment in Baylor students. 

“We deeply appreciate your commitment to our students and to their discipleship during their time at Baylor,” Livingstone said. “We are also so grateful to our partners with the Texas Baptists, who have been partners in the gospel throughout our history and who have championed this project.” 

TBMF Vice President Eric Wyatt also recognized major donors, the Mabee Foundation and churches such as First Baptist Church Waco and First Baptist Church Woodway for their generous giving and support. He also recognized Mazanec Construction and the site superintendent for their work on the building.

Wyatt extended gratitude to Livingstone for Baylor’s gifting of the property to Texas Baptists for the new building. 

Mark Jones, director of the Center for Collegiate Ministry at Texas Baptists, spoke about the history of God’s faithfulness to the BSM at Baylor. He said remembering where they come from allows Baylor BSM to have clear vision going forward in ministry. 

“We are not an individual ministry set apart from the great churches. Texas Baptists churches commit to connection with the ministry… to provide greater support for missions on the campus,” Jones said. “We’re seeing God use so many different leaders and our best days are ahead.” 

Julio Guarneri, executive director of Texas Baptists, closed the ceremony by emphasizing that God has been at work at Baylor for generations, raising up young leaders for the sake of the gospel. He said that is why the grand opening of the new building is possible. 

“We acknowledge that this building is here because God has been at work,” Guarneri said. “This building stands as a monument to the commitment the Baylor administration and Linda Livingstone have to the life of this campus. It stands as a monument to the commitment that Baylor has had to partner with Texas Baptists.” 

Ashlyn Graves, Baylor BSM senior, said the new building is a gift. 

“It's cool to think back on what Will was talking about, about praying over this space. Multiple times I came here with Will [and others] whenever there was no building, and we prayed over this plot of land,” Graves said. “So it's really cool to see God's faithfulness and it now coming to fruition, and the opportunity that there is for so much more ministry for students.” 

Graves said that she looks forward to seeing the legacy that will be built through ministry in the new building, even after she graduates. 

Seth Roberts, Baylor BSM senior, said the new building is a tangible representation of what the BSM is and does. He said he is looking forward to having opportunities to connect with non-believers at the building’s coffee shop.  

“This place feels more inviting [than the previous meeting spot and] we have For Keeps [Coffee], which is a great spot to [connect with] non-believers [who] just love coffee. My friends that aren't BSM-related at all have already been talking about it,” Roberts said. 

The $7 million building project has been fully funded by generous donors, including a $1.3 million Challenge Grant from the Mabee Foundation. TBMF is working to raise an additional $2 million endowment fund to support the new building and ongoing ministry. This endowment is named in honor of George Loutherback, who served as BSU director at Baylor from 1979-1993.

To learn more and make a gift toward the George Loutherback building endowment, visit baylorbsm.com/bsm-building.  

Texas Baptists Collegiate Ministry engages 1.6 million Texas college students to follow Christ and transform the world. Texas BSM currently has a presence on more than 135 campuses around the state.