Stetson Cooperative Collegiate Fellowship
Beginning in the Fall semester of 2010, Baptist ministry to and for students at Stetson University will have a new look and a new name. Continuing the years of tradition formerly known as "Baptist Collegiate Ministries" and "Baptist Student Union," COOPERATIVE COLLEGIATE FELLOWSHIP (CCF) will seek to help students on their faith journies while pursuing their academic fulfillments.
Rev. Ben Collins, a Stetson alum and former student leader of campus ministry at Stetson University, is the new Director. Ben and former BCM Director Margie Duncan have worked together to create a smooth transition from Margie's retirement to this new era.
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida is excited to be a partner along with Stetson Alumni, faculty and friends to create this new ministry for this new day. Contributions are needed to fund this ministry. A Steering Committee consisting of representatives of student leadership, Stetson faculty, alumni and CBF of Florida have been diligently charting the course and will oversee this work. They have been inviting all who wish to join with them by pledging their prayerful and financial support.
A ministry flyer is available by clicking on the link.
Donations and/or inquiries may be directed to "Stetson Cooperative Collegiate Fellowship, P.O. Box 2556, Lakeland, FL 33806," or by calling the CCF office at Stetson, 386-822-8940.
Tommy Deal, Associate Coordinator is also available to assist with any inquiries at 888-241-2233, or tdeal@floridacbf.org.
At the Spring meeting of the Representative Assembly of CBF of Florida, Tommy Deal Chair of the CCF Steering Committee gave the following report:
Cooperative Collegiate Fellowship (CCF) – A Baptist Ministry at Stetson University
Report to CBF of Florida Representative Assembly, March 4-5, 2011
Tommy Deal, Chair Steering Committee
Just one year ago we took a leap of faith as we affirmed moving forward with plans to continue ministry with college students at Stetson University. Now we are one and a half semesters into a transition of the “home” for campus ministry and success is the word that comes to mind.
A Steering Committee was formed and has led in the plans and implementation of Cooperative Collegiate Fellowship (CCF) – A Baptist Ministry at Stetson University. The Steering Committee is comprised by:
Dr. John Tichenor, Stetson University Baptist ministry advisor; Dr. Kandy Queen-Sutherland, Religious Studies faculty; Tom Allerton, Alumni; Bob Mulkey, CBF of Florida; Garth Jenkins, CBF of Florida and FBC DeLand; Dianne Forrest, CBF of Florida; Tommy Deal, CBF of Florida; Duncan Jerrett, Student; Jessica Allen, Student; Margie Duncan, former BCM Director; Michael Fronk, University Chaplain, ex-officio; Ben Collins, CCF Director, ex-officio.
This Committee has met almost every month since inception. The early meetings were centered on organization, name, mission statement, goals, budget, solicitation of support, approve Job Description and recommend Director. More latter meetings monitor giving and expenses and receive reports of the ministry.
The Mission Statement for CCF is: “Cooperative Collegiate Fellowship: A Baptist Ministry at Stetson University will encourage students from varying faith traditions to engage in critical theological reflection, in sincere seeking, and in mission engagement, toward a lifetime of service for the Kingdom of God.”
To help with identity on campus and otherwise, a logo was approved.
A modest Budget was adopted of $ 50,000. Unapologetically, most of this amount ($40,800) is compensation for the Director. The Director is the face and guide of the ministry. This amount includes Salary/Housing based on ¾ time employment plus Medical Insurance, Retirement contribution, and FICA supplement. The remainder is used for programming, outreach and ministry. Knowing that to “birth” this ministry we developed a “contingency budget” providing for necessary items for first semester. And we approved that the annual budget amount would begin in January to align with the Fiscal year of CBF of Florida.
We established a “Fictitious Name Organization” or a “Doing Business As” (DBA) under the umbrella of CBF of Florida, Inc. This provided for the opening of a separate bank account and allowances of receiving gifts payable to “Stetson CCF,” etc. CBF of Florida, Inc. provides the financial accounting, liability coverage and is the employer of the Director.
In March of last year a group of alumni met during Homecoming festivities. At that time they were introduced to the ideas and concepts of CCF and encouraged to financially support. In several weeks, a “reunion” gathering will occur on March 26th in which they will learn of the successes thus far and the continued dreams and plans.
Since the first gifts received in support of CCF, we have received in gifts and pledges 50% of our Budget. We feel this is a good start, but are eagerly seeking more donations. A Development Committee is being developed to give guidance and direction to seek funders who can assure the financial stability of this ministry. We are currently building a data base of alumni and friends in order that regular communication can be sent to keep them informed of the successes and the challenges.
Ben Collins began as Director on August 1, 2010. His love for and commitment to reach and challenge young adults in their faith journey is second to none. Carrying forward the traditions garnered by Margie Duncan, Charlie Grainger and others before him, he and the student leaders are finding new opportunities on and off the campus. The students have led two youth retreats; one at Hendricks Avenue Baptist and one on the campus of Stetson. This weekend over 30 students are engaging in a Spring Break alternative missional opportunity in Richmond, Virginia. They will be serving among several inner-city ministries and visiting Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. There are at least eight seniors who are considering furthering their education and following a call to full-time vocational ministry.
The ministry has regular activities in which students participate and give leadership. Every Friday morning in front of Allen Hall they cook pancakes for anyone who wishes to eat. They also do a “Free Lunch Tuesdays” and many students on limited budgets get a good meal and some great fellowship. Weekly there are small accountability groups, Bible studies and Vespers Services. Mainly, there continues to be a strong Baptist ministry presence on the campus of Stetson University.
From the beginning we have prayed that this would be a model that would be adapted beyond Stetson. We continue to pray, dream and believe that this will be the case. Thank you CBF of Florida for agreeing to reach young Baptists, and challenge other young adults in their faith journey!
