After five long years of renovations and countless hours of volunteer work, the new University of South Carolina Baptist Collegiate Center was dedicated Nov. 6 with more than 200 friends and alumni in attendance.
The center, located in the heart of the campus near the State House, was purchased in 2001 to replace the old center – open since 1966 – which no longer met building code regulations. Though the new location was prime, the former print shop building was in need of reconstruction. More than $300,000 was raised by alumni and friends to fund the renovation projects.
“I have never been more proud to be a Baptist than during the renovation of the center. Over and over, God provided more abundantly than we could have ever dreamed with volunteers, people to pray and generous hearts,” said Jane Poster, campus minister.
Woody Carothers, a member of First Baptist Church, Columbia, told those attending the dedication that the renovation process strengthened his faith. Carothers volunteered one day a week for a full year to paint the building and also served as treasurer for the project. “Some would say it was a miracle,” he said.
The new center has office space, a conference room, and study and recreation areas, as well as a worship center and staff apartment. As funds become available, Poster would like to add shower units for visiting mission teams, a kitchen and additional renovations to the worship area.
During the renovation, 11 churches sent teams to work on the building or provided materials. In all, 200 people volunteered.
The student leadership sees the center as an investment in the future of BCM on campus. “Most of them have said that they think God brought them to USC to help create the center for future generations of students,” said Poster.
After seeing an old print shop evolve into a first-class worship center, Poster is awed by God’s provision.
“Amazing is the only word we can use when we talk about this.”