Editor’s Note: This is a first-person perspective guest post from Beth Hultz, a volunteer with the Springfield BSU ministry at Missouri State University.
My involvement with the BSU started when I was in school in the mid-80s. I was attending Memphis State University and the BSU was a huge part of my college experience. I have such fond memories of my college time with my friends at the BSU and the activities we did together.
Lori Ewart, the WMU president at Hopedale wrote, “Our (WMU) Women on Mission developed a desire to serve with the BSU at Missouri State after hearing Chris Wilson and David Stone present their ministry at one of our monthly meetings. Our Hopedale ladies have shared the love of Jesus by baking dozens of homemade cookies to be used in their outreach ministries.”
As a member of Hopedale Baptist Church’s WMU, I was very excited back in September 2022 after hearing Chris and David speak about the mission field at Missouri State University in Springfield. They spoke about a partnership they had with the football team serving them a meals twice a week – one a breakfast on Wednesday mornings and an evening meal on Mondays. I was so excited about an opportunity to serve the football team because anyone who knows me, knows that I love football!!!!
In April 2023, five members of our church served a meal to the football team and our WMU ladies made a variety of homemade cookies for the guys. That was the start of my now year and a half journey of serving alongside the BSU each week. In the fall of 2023, I started making cookies almost weekly for the players. I would talk to them and find out what cookies they like and then make a variety of cookies. I just wanted them to have something that reminded them of home since so many of them are so far away from their families. In the spring of 2024, the “almost weekly” cookies, turned into 20 dozen cookies each week. Another thing that I am passionate about is baking. So, this was a great outlet for passion for cookies and football. Also in the spring, my husband started serving the guys. It has been such a blessing for us to be involved in serving Jesus together as we serve these football players from all over the country.
This fall two other families from our church have joined us in serving the meals on Sunday nights. It has been great to get to know them better as we are serving the Lord by serving meals. One of the families serving alongside us is our Associate Pastor John Henry. John states, “This year my family had the privilege of serving with the BSU at Missouri State University feeding the football team on Sunday nights. Our lives were blessed getting to know the students and watching the BSU team make connections with the players and coaches. The BSU team showed the love of Jesus to not only the players but their families as well.” In addition to serving the meals, we have been going to the games and supporting these young men. It’s so fun to get hugs from them as they do their Bear Walk before the game. We’ve also had a BSU tailgating tent this year at the games where we are meeting the players families. It’s been an honor to meet some of their families and when we tell them how we know their sons, they are so appreciative of what we do.
I just want to encourage people to seek the Lord’s guidance in how you can serve Him beyond your church walls. I’m just amazed that God is using my love of football and baking to serve Him through the BSU. I’m so thankful to Chris and David who let me hang out with them weekly. I look forward to serving beside these great guys for many years to come.
There are many opportunities to serve alongside the BSU in Springfield, and I’m sure Chris and David could match your passion with ways to serve Jesus. As I’m discovering, it’s never too late to serve God on a college campus.
—Beth Hultz
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