METRO BCM

As an international student, it is almost impossible to not know the Metro Baptist Collegiate
Ministry(BCM) . It is where we got to eat one of our first home-cooked meals, made the first of our
many friends and felt the warmth and a sense of belonging even though we were a thousand miles away
from home. Located on the 5515 Wesley 32nd Street, this ministry was established as early as in the
1950's but known as Baptist Student Union(BSU) . In 1974, after UALR became a 4-year degree college
the ministry constructed a building as Metro BCM. As a nationwide network of college ministries, BCM's
goal is to connect students with Christianity and Metro BCM is one of the many small branch offices of
Arkansas that now acts as the main hub connecting all the college ministries nearby like Bryant, Pulaski
Tech, UAMS etc.
The first thing that a person will notice about the BCM is its friendliness and the welcome smiles
that everybody gets after stepping in to the building. There is a warm ambience and usually with at least
10 people always present, this place provides support to the students in UALR generously without asking
anything in return. Many events are held here for them to participate in, including Conversation Club
which collaborates with another Christianity-based organization called the IFO(International Friendship
Outreach). This event is mainly held to celebrate the diversity of people and their culture. So does
everybody have to be a Christian to be part of this community? "No", says Teresa Stephens, the campus
minister of Metro BCM "Anybody is welcome to be part of it ". With 4 years of experience in the Metro,
and 26 years more specifically in BCM, Teresa, or more commonly known as Bit, takes her job seriously
and with gratefulness. Her job is to train and equip college students in their faith and help them learn
how to share the Gospel. With blue eyes, short blonde hair and average height, Bit is the most familiar
figure in the building Its the most humbling thing I have ever been a part of in my life."she adds, " Its
a little piece of what heaven is going to be like, to be around all these people, She is also involved in a
lot of charities that help people, such as helping local Little Rock international students with their basic
needs(comforters, mattresses, cooking utensils ) or internationally, like personally visiting and helping
the tsunami victims in Thailand.
However, there are some people who views this as a front to convert or instill Christian beliefs
into people. "There is free food and good conversations but sometimes a person or two starts talking
about the religion and thats when it gets awkward."says a person, who prefers to remain anonymous.
One of his friends adds "Maybe they do not work for the Metro but I met a few people in their events
who lean towards being forceful(on the subject of religion)." To this Bit says, "We only talk about it
when the other person is curious". This was evident in a Conversation Clubs night that I attended. A
minister present was asked to pray for the food and before that the hostess announced "We will pray
for a moment. Anyone who doesn't wish to join is free not to". According to Yvette Palmer, a
representative of Metro I think the BCM completes the spirituality component of life. I hope students
on campus realize we are here for the good of the students, not to be judgmental."
Like most non-profit organizations, the Metro BCM is run by donations and help from other
private funds. It involves a lot of churches and as informed by Bit, they are more than happy to help. But
sending them for missionary work and visits to foreign places can be quite expensive. For that, Bit

answers, "We send out letters to churches for some help. If a student is going on a trip, we will compose
a letter and let that person send it out to their family and relatives, and people in their home church
explaining what the purpose and the financial need is. More than that, we need prayer".
When asked about some success stories about all the work they are doing, Bit tells one about a
Chinese man Hank* from UALR. She shares "My American friends living in China wanted to start a
business but on a tourist visa they couldn't. They needed a work visa. So I was talking about it with Hank
and he promptly said "I'll start a business when I go back. And they can work for me." She adds, "It was
like a full circle. Because my friends loved to help out internationals and when they were in need of
some assistance, they found one in America from an international".
The Metro BCM and their events could possibly be one of the most memorable ones that an
international student can experience in Little Rock. "Most of the internationals still keep in touch . They
know that they always have a home here "says Bit with a big smile. They also try to involve students in
outdoor activities like hiking and picnics. Pairing internationals with local American volunteers is a way
of spreading culture both ways.
The Metro BCM has approximately 20 to 30 people in attendance every Wednesday for
collegiate worship. It is in contact with 200 to 300 people every week since a lot of local colleges are
involved in the Metro. It is not difficult to find volunteers willing to learn to help others. Their Facebook
page has 261 active members and is a way to update the members about upcoming events. They also
advertise through campus fairs and call the local churches for support. Lauren, a sophomore in UALR
and a volunteer says, "I just felt so welcomed when I came here in freshman year and it gave me an
opportunity to become closer to God and getting to know other students in campus ". For some
collegians, it isn't always about the spread of Christianity. Being a part of something that they can relate
to and to love what they do is what matters. Another volunteer Marissa says, "People were really
welcoming and for me , thats really big because I've been to so many churches where no one cares
what your name is, because its so huge and its hard to care deeply " She adds, " I like the atmosphere
here and even though its a big group, everybody still cares."