Clemson University’s Baptist collegiate ministry welcomed new campus minister Doug Hunt on March 1.
Doug HuntHunt said he has a love for college students and is excited to be at Clemson. “I believe that Clemson is a strategic campus in the Southeast, where people come from across the country for their education,” Hunt said. “There is great potential for God to change the future generation of leaders coming through this school.”
A Georgia native, Hunt has served in campus ministries in Massachusetts and Arkansas. He was involved in planting a church in Boston, where he also served as pastor of the congregation. Most recently, Hunt served as the worship pastor in a church in Mississippi. His experience leading worship has helped to shape his current view of college ministry.
“This generation of college students relates so well to music. By helping to create an environment with music that relates to them, students can be better reached with a message that directs them to God,” Hunt said.
Ken Owens, collegiate ministry group director, South Carolina Baptist Convention, said he is delighted that Hunt has joined the state collegiate ministry staff. “God has used Doug mightily on campuses in Little Rock and Boston, and we look forward to seeing how God will continue to use his leadership on the campuses in the Clemson area to build disciples and to mobilize students for kingdom impact,” Owens said.
The university has a total campus population of about 17,000, with an undergraduate population of around 14,000. The BCM at Clemson began in 1930 and today involves more than 150 students.
Hunt said that roughly 21 percent of Clemson students are involved in the Greek fraternity community. “I’m praying for how the Lord will connect us as a ministry to other people groups on campus, including fraternities, sororities, and athletic groups. I would love to see BCM be a part of a movement of multiplying disciples, where students would come into this ministry and intentionally make other disciples of Christ. BCM is bigger than Bible studies or events – it’s about relational discipleship,” Hunt said.
Local churches are welcomed at the Clemson BCM building. In fact, Hunt said one of the greatest things that churches can do is to be present on campus with the ministry. “Any time the doors are unlocked, church staff and members are welcome to be here with us. When I have seen college students plug into the local church, it has been because a pastor or student pastor has spent time building relationships with them.”
Hunt and his wife Shelley have two young children. He has a bachelor’s degree in music therapy with a minor in business administration from Georgia College and a master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. – SCBC