Parent’s Letter & Survey
To: The Parents of the Students on the Database of the BCM at LSU who will be Freshmen in the Fall of 2012
Greetings! My name is Steve Masters and I serve as the Director of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at Louisiana State University.
We will mail and email your son or daughter an invitation to become involved in our ministry and to either become involved or stay involved in a local church during their college years. Our local churches will also invite them to connect to a church in Baton Rouge.
I am writing you to ask you to partner with us in involving your son or daughter in our ministry or the BCM ministry of the college or university they will attend in the fall. We would also ask you to partner with us in helping your son or daughter either stay or to become involved in a local church.
Being involved in our ministry can be a significant way for your son or daughter to grow in Christ, develop close friendships with other Christians and to serve the Lord. We have shared some parent testimonies about BCM on the back of our Parent’s Survey to share with you how BCM helps students.
The following are some suggestions on how you can do so. Please share the information requested on the enclosed Parent’s Survey and mail, fax or email it back to us.
1.Collegiate Choice – We would like to confirm the college or university they will be attending. One-third of the students who are admitted to LSU will attend a different college or university. If we know this choice we will forward it to the BCM Director of that college or university.
2.Contact Information – We would like to secure the cell number of your son or daughter. This will help us be able to contact them. We only receive the home number of the Baptist preference students at LSU from the university.
3.Student Information – We would love to have some information about the personality, the interests and/or the background of your son or daughter. For example, you may want to share their mission trip involvement or some of their recreational hobbies. We would like to know the organizations and sports they were involved in during high school and any other background information you would like to share about them.
4. Church Involvement – Please share with us the church involvement of your son or daughter. Please help us encourage your son or daughter to become involved or stay involved in a local church. Your son or daughter will be contacted by a local church if you fill out a Parent’s Survey.
5.Event Mission Trips Scholarship Help – After thirty years of serving as a minister, I’m more convinced than ever that one of the best ways for students to grow in their faith and develop strong Christian friendships is through participation in a retreat, conference or a mission trip. I would encourage you to offer to scholarship your son or daughter to do so. One of the best opportunities would be the Collegiate Week in Glorieta, New Mexico from August 4th to 10th. Over 1,500 college students from across the U.S. will attend this week of worship, Bible study, prayer, hiking, volleyball, etc. The cost per person is $200.00.
6. Parent Involvement – Parents are invited to serve as van drivers for our ski trip to Colorado and our mission trips. We also need parents to help prepare meals from time to time and aid with various other projects. You may also own a camp or retreat house that our BCM students could use for a retreat or outing. If you would like to help in any way then email us at lsubcm@eatel.net.
7. Financial Help – We are funded by the Baptist churches of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, alumni of the BCM and parents of current and former students. If you would like to help us financially then make checks payable to BCM and mail them to us at BCM,101 LSU Student Union Building, LSU Box 25118, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.
We have enclosed a Parent’s Survey. We would invite you to fill this out and mail, fax it or email it back to us to help us connect with your son or daughter. If you have any questions or I can help you in any way then please call me at 225-343-0408 (BCM) or 225-964-0830 (cell) 225-343-0424 (fax) or email me at lsubcm@eatel.net.
LifeWay Research recently published a study that shares that 70% to 90% of the students involved in Christian churches have dropped out of church by the time they graduate from high school. Others drop out in college. This is a sobering fact. Thanks in advance for partnering with us to try to make sure your son or daughter is not a part of this loss. Please encourage your son or daughter to get involved in our ministry. Please feel free to email or call us throughout the school year with questions, information, prayer requests, etc.
Sincerely,
Steve Masters
Director
Baptist Collegiate Ministry
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Baptist Collegiate Ministry
Parents Survey
Fall of 2012
Parent’s Home Phone (_____)_____________ Cell (_____)_______________ Email _____________________
Mailing Address __________________________________ City ____________ State _______ Zip _________
Name of Student ___________________________________________________________________________
Student Cell Phone (_____)_________________Student Email ______________________________________
Student Church Membership ___________________________________________ City __________________
1. College choice of student __________________________________ City/State ________________________
2. Special interests of student (singing, playing an instrument, hunting, fishing, golf, etc.) __________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
3. High School Clubs, Sports, Organizations the student was involved in _______________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Church Background and involvement of the student ____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Prayer Requests for the student ______________________________________________________________
6. Friends of the student that may be interested in getting involved in BCM Ministry (NOTE: at the same college or university or a different one). Please share contact information such as an email address or a cell phone number (if known). ____________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Other? __________________________________________________________________________________
Parents Testimonies
“In the fall of 2008, we loaded up the suburban and headed to LSU to bring our 17 year old daughter Carrie to college. With tears running down all of our faces, we left her in Baton Rouge to begin this new season of life. The very first night that she was on campus, the BCM had a Freshman Get Together. It was here that she met many of her friends that would remain her friends throughout her time at LSU. That night, she became a part of the BCM and it would be one of the greatest things about being at LSU for our daughter. We are grateful for the community, love, and acceptance that she has been given here at the BCM. She has been able to use her gifts and talents to minister to others. We are blessed to know that she has a safe and loving place here on this big campus. We are grateful for the leaders at the BCM who have taken interest in her and all the others who come through those doors. LSU is very fortunate to have the BCM on its campus, and we are grateful that our daughter has a second home here at the BCM.” Mark and Toya Dodson, Alexandria, Louisiana
“God used the ministries of the LSU BCM in the lives of our 3 daughters during their college days in a great way. Mission trips, Bible studies, conferences and fellowship with other Christians enriched their lives and helped them to grow stronger in their walk with the Lord. Their time spent at the BCM has definitely made a great difference and impact in their lives.” Mary Villar, Gonzales, Louisiana
“We have had two children who have attended LSU. Our daughter graduated one year ago and our son just completed his freshman year. They got involved in the BCM immediately upon starting at LSU. Our daughter continued to be involved in the BCM throughout her years at the university, assuming several leadership roles. We anticipate that our son will do so as well. This was an answer to prayer for us as parents. We had been praying for their transitions to college that they would get involved in the BCM as a way to meet quality, like-minded friends and as an opportunity to grow in their relationship with Christ. At the BCM our son and daughter met the majority of their friends. It provided an opportunity for spiritual growth through Bible study and participation in mission activities. We have found that the BCM meets the needs of incoming freshman by providing a wide variety of social activities in order for them to make and build new and lasting friendships. In addition, the BCM has served as a catalyst for their involvement in a local church and the church’s ministry.” Thomas and Jana Strong, New Orleans, Louisiana