Weekly free lunch gives students chance to share faith

Even though he has graduated, E.J. Wilson continues to be active in a Tulsa Community College student organization that he helped start. He makes sure that students enjoy a free, delicious meal every Wednesday courtesy of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry on TCC’s West Campus. But for Wilson, it’s more than just an opportunity to share free meals.

“The main goal is to get students to live out their faith,” he said. “It’s important to stay in the faith and help others do the same, and Noon Day helps to achieve that.”

Wilson and Cody Brumley, another TCC student, started BCM in 2008 on the TCC West Campus. It’s not that there had never been a BCM before, but the group was dormant.

“We revamped it,” Wilson said.

Melinda Smith, TCC Professor, helped them by volunteering to be the BCM faculty advisor. The three worked together to create Noon Day, a weekly luncheon that is provided by area churches who volunteer to purchase and prepare food.

“We have about 150 students and staff each week who come to eat at Noon Day,” she said. “The contribution from the community churches exceeds $10,000 a year. We are very grateful for their generosity.”

In addition to the weekly meal, BCM holds a meeting every Monday called Momentum. This gives students an opportunity to hear from a guest speaker and discuss biblical topics.

Creating the BCM on the TCC West Campus, along with pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business at the Northeastern State University in Broken Arrow, is helping Wilson with his latest project: Starting a BCM at NSU-BA. The group has grown to 10 members who meet weekly to study the Bible.

 To see a full list of TCC student organizations, click here. For more information about BCM, contact Smith at 918-595-8031.