FARMVILLE, Va. — Crowded conditions at the Baptist collegiate ministry serving Longwood University and Hampden-Sydney College have been eased with the addition of 870 more square feet in its student center.
The construction project came in response to several years of exponential growth and badly cramped conditions. Two years ago, in the midst of a sluggish economy, campus minister Cheri Wise knew God was urging her to take a step of faith.
A crowded worship service prior to the BCM’s renovation.
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“I believed God had provided the students for the ministry and that he would provide the resources to accommodate them,” said Wise. “Even so, I have to admit it was scary taking that step.”
Construction began over winter break and was finished mid-March of this year. The facility, which is located on Longwood’s campus in Farmville, serves both that campus and nearby Hampden-Sydney.
The first use of the new space — which meets ADA requirements with a handicapped bathroom and paved parking lot — coincidently fell on a special “International Night.”
International Night after the addition’s completion.
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According to this past year’s BCM president, Amber Hare, “I don’t know where we would have put all of the people that came if the addition hadn’t been completed, but God’s timing is always perfect.”
One hundred and ten people attended that night — the biggest turnout of the year. It was an exciting night of celebration and praise as God’s word was proclaimed and sung in multiple languages.
Longwood senior Darci Guess said, “The new building is fantastic. Thinking back, it’s almost impossible to imagine how we ever fit in the old space. People have always said that BCM is like their home, and I think that statement rings even truer now that we have a little more elbow room.”
A new Virginia Baptist church start in Farmville, which provides a contemporary expression of worship, is also enjoying the enlarged space.
Pastor Scott Word, who started Northview Church in October 2010, says, “The expansion of the BCM has been incredible. God has provided us with an awesome space.”
“It’s a mutually beneficial situation,” said Wise. “Northview has provided a stage, track lights and mounted projectors that we get to use. The students love it.”
Hare explains, “I love the opportunity we have to worship the Lord Thursday nights with BCM, but also on Sundays with Northview Church. A building labeled BCM turns into a place of genuine worship where the only label that matters is ‘Follower of Christ.’ ”
The Virginia Baptist Mission Board voted to take the money for the new addition from Mission Board reserves and allow the Farmville area BCM to pay it back. It enabled construction to begin immediately.
Students at Longwood University and Hampden-Sydney College gathered in front of their BCM in Farmville, Va., earlier this year.
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“That was a huge blessing, because it would have taken us years to raise $105,000,” said Wise. “But we needed the space right away. We were already so cramped; it was only a matter of time before our numbers started dropping.”
There is no deadline for repayment to the Mission Board, but the weight of the debt feels heavy to those involved. BCM began requesting donations this spring and has repaid $35,000 thus far.
A major source of contributions is from etched bricks priced at $300 each. These can be purchased by alumni of LU or HSC with name and graduation year or simply in honor/memory of friends or loved ones. They can also be etched with the name of a church or association.
The bricks will form a cross on the outside of the building and also be used to line sidewalks. Donations of any size can be sent to BCM Building Fund, 303 Griffin Blvd., Farmville, VA 23901.
Reality for Chelsea Gordon as a freshman included space issues and a construction project. She states, “It wasn't bad before all of the renovations, it was cozy and easy to meet and greet, partly because there was no open area. After the building renovations, however, everyone can now walk around and have personal space. I am so excited to see what God has in store for Hampden-Sydney and Longwood’s campuses this upcoming year. It’s amazing to see God’s light shining through all of the beautiful faces he has touched.”
Wise added her excitement about the coming year. “We’ve been working hard to involve Hampden-Sydney more in the ministry, and for the first time this year our president is a Hampden-Sydney student. I can’t wait to see what God does among the men on that campus as well as among the students at Longwood, now that we aren’t limited and distracted by the building. I’ve known for some time that God is up to something in Farmville and I’m excited to stand back and see what all he has in store.”