Sharing Christ with College Students
Two MBU Staff members share testimonies of transformed lives on campus
This is another in a series of features on Missouri Baptist ministries supported for a century through the Cooperative Program giving of MBC-affiliated churches.
By Aaron Lumpkin and Emily Ramage
For 60 years, God has been doing and continues to do amazing things at Missouri Baptist University. Each day we seek God’s gracious hand transforming students’ lives by the truth of the gospel. We are privileged to witness first-hand the power of the gospel in the lives of college students at MBU. And this ministry would not be possible apart from the generous support we receive through the Cooperative Program.
Not too long ago, a young man from London arrived on campus as an outspoken atheist. He questioned the historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. Over several months, he built a relationship with team members of the Spiritual Life Office. A staff member even gave him driving lessons and took him to church weekly.
God worked in the young man’s life, softening his heart. And one day during our chapel services, he placed his faith in Christ. Soon after, he was baptized in a local church in St. Louis. He came to play basketball and earn a degree, but he left with so much more. He’s now a part of the family of God and is sharing the gospel with family and friends in London.
We could share story after story of young men and women coming to faith in Christ through the faithful witness of students, faculty, and staff at MBU. Take for example, the story of God’s grace as seen in a young man from Venezuela who came to play baseball at MBU. Though he came from another faith background, he trusted in Christ at MBU and was baptized in a local church. Or consider a young man who came to faith and began sharing the gospel with a teammate, who then in turn repented and believed the gospel and is now active in a local church.
In another story, a young lady on campus approached a Spiritual Life staff member about her doubts and calloused heart toward God. As they met and studied God’s Word, we witnessed her eyes open to the love and freedom that God provides in Jesus Christ. She got plugged into a local church, gave her life to Christ, was baptized, and is now a chaplain on her sports team. Out of her obedience, three other girls on her team have begun to seek after Jesus.
While we’re seeing individuals come to faith on our campus, we’re also seeing the gospel transform groups of people. In the Spring of 2024, a staff member baptized the head coach of our wrestling team. And, over the past year, we’ve witnessed what could only be described as a revival.
Many team members have come to faith in Jesus, and they now gather weekly to dive into God’s Word together, led by their two student chaplains. Their commitment to Christ is inspiring, and their influence on campus is spreading beyond the wrestling mats, encouraging other athletes to take similar steps.
God has been blessing the work of our Spartan Chaplains program. We have 26 dedicated student chaplains, each tasked with discipling their teammates. These young leaders are fostering spiritual growth, encouraging biblical discipleship, going on prayer walks around campus, and challenging their peers to live out their faith with courage and conviction.
God is at work, changing lives in every corner of Missouri Baptist University, from the classroom to the court, from the coffee shop to the Chapel. These students’ stories reflect a larger story of transformation that we’re witnessing here every day. It’s humbling to see, and we’re committed to supporting this movement of faith that God has so graciously begun on our campus.
We rejoice and give thanks to God for Missouri Baptists who give through the Cooperative Program, which makes so much of our work possible.
Aaron Lumpkin is Associate Vice President for Spiritual Formation & Assistant Professor of Theology at MBU
Emily Ramage serves as MBU’s Women’s Discipleship Coordinator
