Baptist Collegiate Ministries Share Free Breakfast with Students

There are few better ways to reach college students than through their stomachs - something members of the Baptist Collegiate Ministries know well.

Every Monday since the first week of September, members of the campus ministry have set up a table in the Faner Hall breezeway, unloaded numerous boxes of Pop-Tarts and they have given them to passing students walking by.

Sometimes the response is only a mumbled, "Thanks." But Sarah Bordewick, a senior from Decatur studying psychology and the group's outreach coordinator, said occasionally students express their appreciation more thoroughly.

"People have told us that we're the only reason they get out of bed Monday morning," Bordewick said. "I wouldn't say they mean that 100 percent, but it's encouraging for us to hear."

The group usually sets up at 8 a.m. and shuts down at 10 a.m. Passing students find a smorgasbord of toaster pastries. If they are interested, they have the opportunity to pick up a flier with the group's information or a copy of the Gospel of John.

Jenna Tromburg, a freshman from Denver studying cinema, said she stops at the table every Monday.

"I like it," she said. "I mean, I get free Pop-Tarts."

Although they are free for the students, the toaster pastries carry a cost for the campus ministry. Between 20 and 30 members of the organization purchase the breakfast treats themselves, and occasionally area Baptist churches donate boxes or give money for the group to buy them.

Between 200 and 250 individual packages are given out every Monday, Bordewick said.

After handing out the treats, the group members often do not say anything other than, "Have a nice day." But the group's message still comes across through the subtle approach, Tromburg said.

"It's nicer than some of the in-your-face ways that people tell others about religion," she said.

Though they may not be up front about it, the members are decided about their purpose, Bordewick said. Their basic intent is to show others they are cared about.

"We just want to show the love of Jesus to the students by giving them breakfast on Monday mornings," she said.

Volunteer Dani Lintzenich, a junior from Marion studying accounting and finance, agreed with Bordewick. She said she also realized the importance of making people aware of the

group's existence.

"It gives us more of a presence on campus and lets people know who we are and what we're about," she said.

The group's reach might not be wide, but many students said they appreciate the method.

Jim Payne, a sophomore from Chicago studying cinema and photography, said he walks by the table every Monday.

"It's nice, and there's no better way to promote something than by giving away free food," he said.

The group has roughly 30 members and meets Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. at the Baptist Student Center, located behind Northwest Annex on the corner of Mill and Forest streets.

In the end, it is not about numbers to the members of Baptist Collegiate Ministries, Bordewick said.

"We just want people to be blessed," she said.

Genna Ord can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 273 or gord@siu.edu.