Episode 26: Where in the World is BCM?

Tennessee Golden Hour

Rodney Norvell has been at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) for 11 years, leading students on journeys of faith and service. One of his favorite things as a BCM Minister is taking students on mission trips. Rodney first heard about ministry opportunities in the Philippines from missionaries connected to UT and Carson-Newman alumni. They spoke of their work in Batangas City, where they established a Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) for Batangas State University. "One of my favorite things about being Baptist is we are a family and we are a big network that cooperates together," Rodney shared. This connection grew personal when Rodney’s son, Jacob, chose Batangas City for his own mission work. Inspired by his son’s experience, Rodney felt called to take a team from UTK to the Philippines.

Benji Mendoza, a UTK student with Filipino heritage and a heart for ministry helped lead this endeavor. Benji’s journey wasn’t straightforward. Called to ministry at 15, he initially ran from it, choosing to study kinesiology with plans for a career in physical therapy. "I came into college running away from the Lord," Benji admitted. Personal losses led him to resent the Lord, and he drifted from his faith. But halfway through his first semester at UTK, the pull of the Holy Spirit and the encouragement of his youth pastor back home led him to BCM. There, he found community, accountability, and a renewed sense of purpose. "Without BCM, I probably would have been so far down the hole of just worldly desires and fleshly desires," he reflected.

The impact of the Cooperative Program and the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions is undeniable. They not only fund these transformative experiences but also support the long-term spiritual journeys of students like Benji Mendoza, who are poised to become the next generation of Christian leaders.

For more inspiring stories like this, tune into The Tennessee Golden Hour Podcast. Every two weeks, we share powerful narratives of faith, mission, and transformation. You can find us on YouTube and all major podcast platforms, including iTunes and Spotify. Don’t miss out on these remarkable journeys—subscribe today!

Chapters

1. Episode 26: Where in the World is BCM? (00:00:00)

2. Let's Go! (00:00:09)

3. Meet Rodney and Benji! (00:00:21)

4. Why did UTK Go? (00:01:23)

5. Benji's Mission Experience (00:02:46)

6. Benji's BCM Story (00:04:28)

7. What happened in the Philippines (00:07:37)

8. Why take students on a mission trip? (00:12:54)

9. Benji's Backstory (00:13:41)

10. Reaching College Students in the Local Church (00:17:37)

11. Investing in your call (00:21:14)

12. Where would BCM work be without CP and GOTM? (00:25:32)

13. One final VERY cool story (00:28:35)