Known as the Baptist Student Union when it was founded, Georgia Southern University's Baptist Collegiate Ministries will hold a 70th Anniversary Reunion Celebration this coming Saturday.
        The luncheon and program includes a worship band comprised of musicians who were part of the Union and the Ministry through the years, who will play a selection of songs, hymns and contemporary music from most of the decades.
        To join the celebration, call the center by Monday, at (912) 681-2241 or visit the website at www.georgiasouthernbcm.com to reserve a spot at the luncheon or to find out about the decade, small-group reunions.
        Seventy years in the making, the celebration includes former members from as far back as the mid 1950s, and alumni are traveling from all across Georgia and other parts of the country to reminisce and share in fellowship.
        The Ministry has a rich history that began when most of the ministry for Baptist students centered around First Baptist Church Statesboro and the college Sunday School class, taught by the church pastor's wife, Mrs. T. Earl Serson.
        Rev. Serson approached the college administration for permission to begin the Baptist Student Union and the first leadership council was organized in early 1946 with seed money from the church to purchase land on Chandler Road. According to Sue Page, many thought the field location was far-removed from the campus, where most of the activities took place at Sweetheart Circle, and students often chased the cows from the college back to their farm. Now, the Baptist Student Center on Chandler Road is in the middle of the university campus.
        A Statesboro resident, Page was the first paid staff person of the Union, back when the college boasted 600 students. She said her salary for the part-time position was $75 a month.
        "And when I left in '58, there were around 900 students," she said.
        Back then, she was Sue Kirby, college and seminary graduate, when Statesboro First Baptist Church called her to be the director of music, education and students and to be the organist.
        She met and married Ted Page, the first associational missionary for the Ogeechee River Baptist Association, and the couple was away from Statesboro from 1958 until their return in 1992.
        Jim Phelps, another transplant to Statesboro, said his participation in the Union from 1956-1959 was instrumental in bringing him back to Statesboro.
        "Georgia Southern was much smaller then," Phelps said. "Everybody loved each other, took care of one another. That was intensified in BSU.
        "It was a real meaningful experience for me, a group of friends when I was far from home. Friends that I am still close to."
        For Paul and Lynn Reaves, the Ministry became a second family, a home away from home, and greatly influenced their future family. Paul and Lynn met as Georgia Southern students at the Baptist College Ministry, taking part from the late 70s to early 80s.
         Paul and Lynn, both employed by GSU now, have three sons, Brandon, Benjamin and Andrew who have all taken part in GSU activities to varying degrees throughout their course of study. Following in the footsteps of their dad, Brandon and Benjamin served with the music ministry of the Ministry and now Brandon is the worship leader at Southbridge Community Church with Ben serving alongside him.
        "The BCM has meant connections to friends from that era and friends since we've moved back," said Paul Reaves. "Where our faith was anchored. Where we really started growing in our faith, a faith that continues on."
        Dr. Jerry Johnson and Donna Blackburn currently serve as campus ministers for the Christ-centered, student-led ministry that provides opportunities for spiritual growth and Christian community throughout college.
         An open house to honor former campus ministers, interns and their families, like the Pages, the Nathan Byrd family (Reverend Nathan Byrd, now deceased, served as campus minister for 21 years from 1967-1988) and the Gary Johnson family will take place at the Ministry Center, 1701 Chandler Road, on Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with the luncheon following at noon at First Baptist Church Statesboro.