BU Celebrates Baptisms, Professions of Faith
Photo courtesy of Bluefield University Campus Ministries.
The spiritual environment on the Bluefield University campus this semester has been dynamic as evidenced by a host of baptisms and new professions of faith.
According BU Campus Ministries leader Erin Bowers, there have been 27 baptisms this semester and 55 new professions of faith. She described the new salvations as students “raising their hands and saying the salvation prayer” and proclaiming “Jesus, I want you to come into my life and lead me.”
Bowers and other spiritual leaders on campus attribute the revival to activities and messages related to this year’s scripture theme, “Bold,” chosen to rally students, faculty and staff around 2 Corinthians 3:12: “Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.”
President Steve Peterson spoke about the “Bold” theme and Paul’s encouragement to the Corinthians.
“Paul talks about the hope we have,” Dr. Peterson said, “and because we have hope in Jesus Christ…we live boldly.”
Campus Pastor Mason West, members of the Student Development staff, and other Campus Ministries stakeholders deliberated, discussed, and selected the theme. This past summer they participated in retreats and other inspirational activities to envision how they wanted the year to be from a spiritual standpoint. West said his hope is that the scripture challenges students to consider what that true hope means to Christians.
“The heart of this theme is to ask the question of what true boldness looks like,” West said, “and dive into how the hope of the gospel is what produces true boldness in the Christian life.”
Another catalyst for the baptisms and professions of faith was Duremdes Christian Emphasis Week, dubbed Bold Week this year, which featured special guest speaker Marcus McFolling, who shared bold messages during three chapel services.
“Our baptism night was nothing short of incredible!” said West about the activities of Bold Week. “A full on celebration of bold, unashamed faith as students gave their wholehearted ‘yes’ to the gospel. The joy in the room was tangible. You could feel heaven rejoicing. It was truly a move of God on our campus.”
Dr. Peterson witnessed the movement and spoke about the experience.
“It was electric,” the president said. “Not only the students being baptized, but their classmates, the other students that were cheering them on.”
In addition to weekly chapel services, Campus Ministries has introduced other activities to help grow students spiritually, including Abide, a prayer and devotion gathering that takes place every Friday at 10:30 a.m., and Home, a worship experience every Monday at 7 p.m. The theme for Home is “Posture of Praise: Learning What God Inhabits.”
To continue the spiritual momentum, Campus Ministries will host “Deeper Revival Night” in November and a “Deeper Young Adult Conference” in February 2026.
“The conference will be a full weekend of worship and teaching,” West said, “focusing on deepening our campus devotion to Jesus together.”
For additional opportunities to grow your faith, follow BU Campus Ministries on Facebook or bu_campusministries on Instagram.