Mizzou BSU Alumni & Friends

09/27/2023

What are your favorite retreat memories?

The BSU's Fall retreat is only TWO DAYS away!!! What was your favorite part of Fall Retreat/Escape/Getaway when you were a student?

12/24/2022

04/08/2022

Our students were inspired by some of the 90's era archival footage they found around the BSU. We did all 90's worship songs for the month of March and they REALLY leaned in to all of the 90s tropes. Hope you enjoy the fun they were having inspired by many of YOU!

12/25/2021

Merry Christmas from the Mizzou BSU staff!🎄

12/09/2021

12/03/2021

12/01/2021

Giving Tuesday is almost over, but it is not too late to give! Click on mizzoubsu.org/giving-tuesday to support this ministry. We need your support! Hannah got plugged into the Mizzou BSU through Welcome Week events. Read her story below.

“Coming into college I knew I wanted to find a place where my faith could be nurtured and continue to grow. The BSU has done just that. I had been thinking about getting baptized for a year prior and praying that God would just let me know when the time was right. It was the first or second worship service of the year when God let me know the time was right, during the worship song "Here as in Heaven" that we were singing. The next day I started the conversation with David and on November 4th, I made my public profession of faith through baptism at the BSU. That night was amazing. I had my pastor, Brian, from home come, along with his family. My family and best friend were in attendance, my Sunday School teachers Sam and Aimee, and of course, all of my BSU friends. It was the best decision I could have ever made, and I am glad that I was patient and waited until God let me know it was time.

Everyone at the BSU is willing to lend a helping hand or just be there to listen. Through coming to the BSU, God has provided me with people to support me as I struggle with minor health issues. Rebecca Bell and Julia Houk are always willing to listen while giving me advice and the courage to talk to my doctors about what is going on. This is something that Jesus knew I needed and He brought me to the right place.

My go-to is in the nature that I see on my walks every day to class. It's much bigger than that, though. Through being a Welcome Week Leader, I was given a mentor, Mikayla, who is actively involved in another campus ministry. She informed me of several of the campus ministries and websites, leading me to get in touch with Rebecca at the BSU. I was hesitant to skip Flick on Faurot with my floor to go to Kindergarten Night at the BSU; Mikayla gave me the push to go ahead without my welcome week group. I thank Him every day for allowing Mikayla to provide me with that push.

Right now, I am in a season of change and uncertainty, as I am a freshman in college, but also personal issues at home. He has made it abundantly clear to me time and time again that He never gives more than we can handle. We just have to have faith that He will get us through, just trust in Him. Through all of the trials, doubt, and fear this season has thrown at me, my faith in Him has continued to grow. Through prayer, devotion, Bible readings, worship and small groups at the BSU I feel His presence in me, preparing for my next step in faith while providing the peace I desperately need.”

-Hannah Schroer, Freshman

12/01/2021

“The BSU helped me discover my personal relationship with Christ more than I ever had before. It also helped me gain a community and realize the importance of living in a community. I now have a better understanding of God’s love and grace for me that I carry into the crazy journey that is adulthood. I also seek out community, which I never did before. I think I had it in my head that since I’m an introvert, I don’t need people, which is just not true. I am a lot more involved in the community aspect of my job and personal life because BSU instilled a sense of community.

The BSU provides a ‘rock’ for college students to lean on and to learn about their faith. College is a scary place, even for those of us who love adventure. I knew I always had a home and friends at the BSU. It kept me grounded and allowed me to grow at the same time.

The BSU is helping so many college students on and off campus and beyond. It seemed like the BSU always had exactly what I needed. Whether that be a friend, a meal, or coffee. It’s important that both present and future students feel taken care of in the same way. I still support the BSU because they supported me throughout college and I have gained lifelong friendships because of this ministry.”

-Gillian Fox, Class of 2020

11/30/2021

“‘Keeping the lights on’ means continuing the work of being present on campus. The BSU is a safe place, but also a challenging place, for many students as they learn how to follow Jesus in this stage of their life.

College has been a roller coaster ride for me. I have held many false views of myself and the world around me that have been really destructive to my health and relationships. The most important thing the BSU has allowed me to do is to stop running away and be who God made me to be.

Jesus calls us to a higher standard. We fail, just like any other Christian community, but at the end of the day, we try again, and we are transformed. I see people on this campus caring and advocating for one another. Despite many awful circumstances, there is a lot of love and a sense of community within the BSU. It’s inspiring and reminds me to reach out and care for those in need.

I am learning how to stop running away from who I am. I have many shortcomings, but running only makes it worse. I am learning how to stand before God and receive grace.”

-Caleb Bell, Senior

11/30/2021

“BSU gave me a safe place to meet people, many who became special friends, on campus. As an out of state student I didn’t know anyone so this was important. Our director at the time, Loy Reed, encouraged our creativity and leadership skills in the midweek gathering and other programs. We learned that worship didn’t need to be dull and routine. After college I looked for a church that had the more creative approach to worship. I also found it important to continue with those authentic relationships I developed.

I think that with all of the additional influences on our work as Christ followers, continuing to have a social place for college students to grow and learn about Christ in a fun, creative environment is crucial. Giving to the BSU is really important because the only way for this ministry to continue functioning for the current students and future students is with individual giving. That is the largest part of our giving base.”

-Lori Reid, Class of 1979

11/30/2021

"As a ministry on campus we are called to show and guide everyone on this campus to the 'light' which is Jesus.

The BSU has fostered my faith from its infancy into its maturity, I wouldn’t be the Christian I am today without the BSU. Through the love and care that everyone at the BSU shows to each other, I see Jesus. He has placed us on this campus to show extra love and care to those who need it.

I have been challenged to be a better guide to my peers to make the most loving and Christ-like choice that we all can make.”

-Jack Matasek, Senior

11/30/2021

“My older sister had been heavily involved in the BSU so I knew what a blessing it was to her and that it could be that for me as well. Boy was that true! Having grown up in church I knew the Bible but I found it interesting to experience different speakers and worship styles through the BSU. I also had the opportunity to participate in several Bible studies that deepened my faith as a Christian. During my time at the BSU, I better understood my relationship with God and also how to share my faith with others.

Even after I left college I still have felt a strong connection to the BSU and all the people I met. I still have many friends from the BSU that I see quite often today. Looking back I feel like my time at the BSU solidified my relationship with God and made me a better Christian. I also think that it made me a more valuable member of my church because of all the ways I learned to serve at the BSU.

Having been involved with the BSU as a student and also as a board member for the past ten years, I feel the BSU is just as important to the students of today as it was for my class. Today’s students have so many influences of news, information and social media on multiple platforms, and the BSU can be the source of biblically based truth that is so important during this time of life. In talking with current Mizzou BSU students, I see that this ministry is impacting their lives greatly as they engage in fellowship and study.

It is more important than ever to give to Mizzou BSU! Our ministry is growing in numbers and in involvement. I do see the BSU as a light of truth on campus. Our “Help us keep the light on'' campaign is exactly that: with your help we can continue to be the light for current and future students. The BSU relies on individual gifts from many alumni and friends that have been impacted by our ministry over the years. Every gift to the ministry is a blessing and will help maintain our building and programming for years to come. Please consider making a donation to the BSU or becoming a monthly donor. If you have any questions please let me know. Help us keep the light shining!”

-Steven Sapp, Class of 2000