The Black Campus Ministry gives glory to God
By Jasmine White
The biblical lesson, “Jesus predicts the betrayal of the last supper,” is just one of the many outlines that the Black Campus Ministry taught to its members. The ministry welcomes people from all backgrounds and beliefs, hoping to bring everyone together to practice their faith every Tuesday evening.
On April 15 at 8 p.m., the BCM met in Bierenbaum Fisher Hall room 112, with roughly 10 people in attendance. The leaders, sophomore psychology major Nicholas Depass and graduate organizational leadership major Cherrish Hudgins, tend to begin their services with instrumental music or gospel music to set the tone.
“We wanted to provide a space where Black people and really anyone can come and just worship God,” Depass said.
Depass leads the group in prayer to bring their minds in, asking that “God teach us at this time.”
As amens filled the room, Depass began to teach, encouraging those in attendance to open to specific scriptures and read them aloud, acknowledging that everyone has a different version of the scripture. Some people read from the “King James” version, while others read from the “Institute for Scripture Research” version.
In allowing all the different versions of scripture to be studied, Depass and Hudgins essentially eliminated a barrier between all the members based upon their differing texts. As a whole, the group was all there to learn how to interpret the lesson focus at hand, so the different Bible versions only enhanced their discussion.
Hudgins said, “We felt like there was a cultural gap between having faith and displaying faith on campus. … This is the first year of BCM, so we’re hoping that it can continue to progress and grow larger.
BCM is one of the branches of the organization InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Last semester Depass, Hudgins, and recent graduate Naa’san Carr banded together to create this smaller fellowship. With Hudgins graduating in May, Depass will continue holding Bible study with Mekhia Gwynn, senior arts and entertainment industries management major and Dallas Hohney, junior graphic design major, by his side.
Hudgins recalled one of her favorite Bible verses from Corinthians 4:18, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
She explained that though there is so much violence and chaos being depicted in the media, her relationship with God and the Scriptures are eternal to her.
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘What I am doing you do not understand it now, but you will after this,’” Depass read.
Depass looks to John 13:7 whenever he may be struggling during his walk through life, with the understanding that everything happens for a reason.
As spring 2025 comes to a close, Depass and Hudgens continue to encourage their peers to start their journey to build a relationship with God.
“So lastly I would say, just be patient with yourself,” Depass said. “He is merciful [so] get in the good and just start your life with Jesus.”
