BCM leaders, students recall life-changing moments from their travels
Rodney Norvell (back row, fourth from right), collegiate ministry specialist at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, visits with a group of students during a trip to the Philippines.
KNOXVILLE — Rodney Norvell has been at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) for 11 years, leading students on journeys of faith and service.
One of his favorite things as a BCM minister is taking students on mission trips. Norvell first heard about ministry opportunities in the Philippines from missionaries connected to UT and Carson-Newman alumni. They spoke of their work in Batangas City, where they established a Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) for Batangas State University.
“One of my favorite things about being Baptist is we are a family and we are a big network that cooperates together,” Norvell said.
This connection grew personal when Norvell’s son, Jacob, chose Batangas City for his own mission work. Inspired by his son’s experience, Norvell felt called to take a team from UTK to the Philippines.
Benji Mendoza, a UTK student with Filipino heritage and a heart for ministry, helped lead this endeavor.
Mendoza’s journey, however, wasn’t straightforward. Called to ministry at 15, he initially ran from it, choosing to study kinesiology with plans for a career in physical therapy.
“I came into college running away from the Lord,” Mendoza admitted.
Personal losses led him to resent the Lord, and he drifted from his faith. But halfway through his first semester at UTK, the pull of the Holy Spirit and the encouragement of his youth pastor back home led him to BCM. There, he found community, accountability, and a renewed sense of purpose.
“Without BCM, I probably would have been so far down the hole of just worldly and fleshly desires,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza’s leadership shone brightly on the mission trip to the Philippines. His team partnered with a church plant in Manila, engaging in campus evangelism and forming deep connections with local students.
The church they worked with was unique — 70-80% of its congregation were college students, and discipleship was its backbone. Mendoza was particularly moved by witnessing a fifth-generation disciple, a testament to the church’s commitment to mentoring and spiritual growth. “Discipleship is the pillar of that church,” Mendoza said. “It’s just a generational pipeline of discipleship that I absolutely loved.”
While Mendoza’s team thrived in Manila, Norvell’s group faced different challenges in Batangas City. Unable to access university campuses, they took to the parks and plazas, engaging in cold-call evangelism.
“You can figure out who students are because they wear a lanyard with their information on it,” Norvell explained. Many were open to conversations about Jesus, despite their predominantly Roman Catholic backgrounds.
The mission wasn’t just about spreading the gospel — it was also about personal growth and leadership development. For Mendoza, it was transformative, not only in his ministry work but also in reconnecting with his Filipino roots.
He had the chance to meet with family in Manila, including his cousin Justin, a successful mining attorney. Their heartfelt conversations about faith and purpose bridged gaps of pride and achievement, leaving both cousins encouraged and inspired.
“I have no idea why I opened up to you,” Justin told Mendoza. “You’re my baby cousin, and I’m the high-up attorney. But I want you to know that I’m right beside you, I’m encouraging you, I’m in your corner.”
Funding such trips can be daunting, but the cooperative efforts of the Baptist network made it possible.
The University of Tennessee has an endowment fund, initiated by former student missionaries, to help underwrite mission trip costs. Students also received coaching on fundraising, from writing support letters to engaging their home churches.
“The cooperative program makes it so that you can come to a Southern Baptist seminary, get an education, and we’re supporting you on the way to ministry,” Norvell noted.
Reflecting on the trip, Norvell emphasized the importance of creating a lifestyle of evangelism. By stepping out of their comfort zones, students discover that sharing their faith isn’t as daunting as it seems.
“It’s the process of just getting you out of your regular routine so that you can try something different,” Norvell said. The mission trip became a catalyst for lifelong habits of ministry and outreach.
Mendoza’s advice to pastors looking to connect with college students is simple: “Be consistent and invest in relationships.” Authenticity and persistence go a long way in breaking through the digital barriers that often isolate today’s youth.
As for discerning a call to ministry, both Norvell and Mendoza agree on the importance of honoring family while staying true to God’s call. “You honor your father and mother, but you’re also going to have to be true to what God’s call is in your life,” Norvell advised. It’s a delicate balance, but one that, when navigated with grace and patience, can lead to incredible personal and spiritual growth, he said.
The impact of the cooperative program and the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions is undeniable.
They not only fund these transformative experiences but also support the long-term spiritual journeys of students like Benji Mendoza, who are poised to become the next generation of Christian leaders. B&R — For more stories like this, tune into The Tennessee Golden Hour Podcast. Every two weeks, we share powerful narratives of faith, mission, and transformation. You can find us on YouTube and all major podcast platforms, including iTunes and Spotify. Don’t miss out on these remarkable journeys — subscribe today!
