Freshman Fire on Monday nights

            “Freshman Fire” is held in the auditorium at the Bennett Building on UC’s campus every Monday at 8 p.m. According to previous freshman who are now leaders at the Bible Study, it's a great place to make memories and become involved with fellow freshmen at the Baptist Campus Ministries.

“We want freshman to transition well to campus and find a place to plug in and grow with other believers,” said Magan Atwood, the Director of Appalachian Ministries. “We started Freshman Fire five years ago when we saw a need to help students coming to campus find a place where they belong and they can be supported as they seek to grow closer to God.”

            Each Monday begins with girls and guys having fun, playing games, and socializing. Then the guys go to a smaller room for their devotional and the girls stay in the auditorium. After participating in a Bible study with the leader and the group, the larger group separates into small groups of four to discuss in depth what the lesson meant to each person. Atwood explains that the evening is all about connecting with peers who understand what you are going through as a freshman and to glorify God first and foremost.

            The valuable relationships made at the devotionals is what will “make this class bond in a way that will keep them close as Christians and close to the Lord,” said Dean Whitaker the Campus Minister. He wants to see “this place become a community for them to have fun and become deep spiritually.”

            As a former student and now an intern at the BCM, Kelsey Day said, “It was my first time in a small group with other girls connecting as Christians.” She loved it so much that now she is a leader at Freshman Fire and is investing in freshman girls and leading them to God.

           “There’s a very strong sense of community there,” said Lindsi Weis, a freshman who attended Freshman Fire. “The leaders have fostered an environment to be open and honest about where you are in your walk with the Lord.”

                                                      Jasmine Newport

Girls from Freshman Fire show off their ribbons that they made at the BCM's girls' night on September 27. From top left: Caroline Johnson, Abbey Cherry, Alisha Brown, Kelcey Day, Maggie Green, Chloe Fogle, Kaitlin DeJarnette, Lydia Huggins, Kara Cliffe, Kayla Sears, Kayla Smith, Julie Paris, Brianna Grooms, and Katie Reid.