FAQs

Answers some common questions. Feel free to email us if you have more!


What is BSM?

Baptist Student Ministry is a welcoming and diverse Christian fellowship in the heart of UT Arlington.  Our “home” is the Baptist Student Center, located on the UTA Campus. BSM provides opportunities for spiritual growth, making friends, leadership, service, and missions. We have a place that is just right for you!

BSM exists to encourage UT Arlington students to become lifelong followers of Jesus.  Our mission is to equip students to reach our campus and the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ.  We value learning God’s word, the Bible, and applying it to our lives. We want to help you build meaningful friendships and get involved in a local church.


Are you a church?
Nope.  We are a ministry supported by dozens of area churches.  BSM encourages all our students to be actively involved in a local church; we never want to take the place of church in anyone’s life.  We are supported by Texas Baptist and Tarrant Baptist churches. 


What kind of things do you do?
We have activities almost every day of the week:  large groups, small groups, Bible studies, and socials.  We have small groups for committed Christians and for those who are just investigating the Christian faith.  


How can I get more involved?
There are plenty of ways to get involved.  Just about everything at BSM is done by students who volunteer their time, and we can always use more help!  Join a small group; get involved in a ministry; volunteer at International Night or at FLOW; apply for summer missions; apply to join the Leadership Team.  There are lots of opportunities.


What if I’m a transfer student?
Lots of transfer and graduate students come to BSM.  Many join our leadership team in their first or second semester at UTA.  So don’t hesitate to get involved.


Do you do missions?
We love missions! We take a mission trip every spring break.  Every summer and Christmas break we send our fellow UTA students on missions through Go Now Missions.


Can I park in your lot?
Sorry!  We barely have room for the staff to park.  There is metered parking on First Street next to our building and you can park at First Baptist Church about two blocks away.  After 5:00pm and on weekends, you can park in the Faculty Lot north of our building with a valid student parking permit.

Do I have to be Baptist?
Absolutely not!  In fact, lots of us, including members of the Leadership Team, are not.  BSM is a diverse group of people who first and foremost want to follow Jesus. The name “Baptist” simply indicates something about our heritage and the way our ministry gets financial support.  So come on by the BSM, everyone is welcome!


How do I join?
Just start coming!  We don’t have a membership, we just have events and people come.  Our events are open to any UTA students and our group is friendly and diverse.  You can join our mailing list by clicking here.


What happens at your building?
The Baptist Student Center is open Monday - Friday for you to relax, study, meet friends and play games.  We have comfy couches, a kitchen, ping pong table, a pool table, and a cabinet full of games.  It’s a great place to hang out and meet people.  We hope you will come by often!


How can I join the Leadership Team?
The BSM Leadership Team is a group of students who are each “in charge” of a different ministry.  Many are small group leaders or Bible study leaders; other lead ministries like FLOW (Free Lunch On Wednesdays), International Friendship Night, and Campus Outreach Team.  Interviews take place each November and April, so pick up an application and consider joining the team! More info.


What do you believe? 

We believe in and promote the historic Christian faith as articulated in the Apostles Creed: 

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
      creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
      who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
      and born of the virgin Mary.
      He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
      was crucified, died, and was buried;
      he descended to hell.
      The third day he rose again from the dead.
      He ascended to heaven
      and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty, from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
      the holy catholic church,
      the communion of saints,
      the forgiveness of sins,
      the resurrection of the body,
      and the life everlasting. Amen.

Additionally, as a ministry of Texas Baptist churches, we hold to their mission, vision, values, priorities and beliefs.