Jordan Phillips (left) and Jonathan Lynch (right) play pickleball at BCM before the kickball game on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. (Photo by Reagan Thorn)
Reagan Thorn, AUMnibus News reporter
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Aug. 26, 2026) — Baptist Campus Ministries held multiple events during welcome week at Auburn University of Montgomery that brought a newer community for students who are from different cultures and religions.
“Our main goal is to be a restful and hospitable place for anyone,” said Ben Crocker, head minister of BCM. “The amount of Buddhist, Muslims and Atheists that have been in our building over the past 50 years has been immense. We want everyone to experience love and hospitality.”
In an interview, Crocker said that pastor Ken Maye started the Baptist campus Ministries in 1975 at AUM and Alabama State University. The students and Maye would meet in a trailer on the plot that the BCM building stands on now, 7095 AUM Dr., at the corner of Senators Drive near campus.
The BCM hosts “Grove” every Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at the BCM building, with a mealtime provided by a local River Region church. Students then go into worship time that involves scripture and prayer.
The BCM may be Baptist, but that does not stop them from inviting anyone who is different religiously and culturally.
“I love seeing them set up on campus every day,” said Jordan Phillips, an AUM first-year student who is methodist, but finds fellowship with the BCM group. “In between my first and second class they are always there and I get to talk to them which is cool.”
From trivia night to kickball and pickleball, each BCM event the first week included free food for the students to enjoy. The club hosted a pickleball tournament where about 30 members taped a court and put a net up in the main worship room. The day of kickball had rained but nevertheless, students showed up.
Crocker added that BCM club members typically come up with ideas for a variety of activities, so the campus community can find one that best suits them.
“I told them I was from Faulkner and they totally accepted me,” said Jonathan Lynch, a first-year student at Faulkner University. “They’re all very nice and kind.” The BCM aligned more with his religious beliefs.
The BCM kickball event held outside on Thursday, Aug. 20 at BCM had free ice cream for the students to cool off. Despite the humidity and heat, everyone seemed to be having fun.
The BCM holds events every week that will be posted on their Instagram or on the event schedule on the AUM website. For any questions you can contact Caleb Green at the email address bcm@aum.edu .
