A Table for Everyone

Campbell University Students Bring CBSF Back to Campus

Avery Browning and Ainsley Blasius started a new Cooperative Baptist Student Fellowship group at Campbell University last fall.

When Avery Browning, current sophomore at Campbell University and member at Ardmore Baptist in Winston-Salem, was looking at colThey launched the new CBSF group by taking part in Campbell’s annual “Street Fair,” which introduces students to orgaleges, she knew she wanted a school with a Baptist group on campus. She decided on Campbell, but the Baptist campus ministry there had dissolved. She was told that there was always the opportunity to start a new group.

“I have been involved in Ardmore Baptist my entire life and wanted a place to flourish my faith while in college,” said Avery.

During her freshman year, Avery lived in a Residential Learning Community (RLC) that focused on leadership and community service. That’s where she met Ainsley Blasius, a fellow freshman and Baptist from Fort Wayne, Indiana.

“I chose Campbell because it is a private, Christian university. I looked for groups freshman year and nothing seemed to quite line up with my faith,” shared Ainsley.

The young women quickly became friends and discovered that they shared the common interest in starting a Baptist group on campus. Over the course of that year, Avery and Ainsley would watch Ardmore Baptist’s services online. Ainsley liked it so much that she was baptized there last Easter and joined the church.

As that academic year was about to end, the young women began the process of starting a new Cooperative Baptist Student Fellowship (CBSF) group at Campbell. They first connected with Wanda Kidd, CBFNC’s collegiate engagement coordinator. Wanda facilitated meetings with Campbell staff, including Louisa Ward, the campus minister, to help start the process.

“We went through multiple revisions of our plan for the group before presenting to the Board of Spiritual Life,” said Ainsley. “We were approved over the summer and started the new group at the beginning of fall semester 2021.” nizations on campus. They also promoted it on Instagram and through email. But there were some challenges. It took a little extra effort to spread the word about Cooperative Baptists and educate other students about what that means. “When a lot of people first heard the word Baptist, it kind of had a negative connotation for them,” said Avery. “There was also awareness of the ‘rules’ that are common among other Baptists,” added Ainsley. With a core group of six students, the Campbell CBSF started with holding monthly meetings. Their first meeting was about sharing what the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is and the core beliefs. “The number one thing that seemed to resonate with students was women in ministry and how if you feel called by God to ministry, then you should be able to pursue that,” said Avery. “It was important for the other students to understand that CBF and our CBSF group have a table for everyone,” said Ainsley. “It’s knowing there’s a seat for you and you can take it or leave it, but there’s always an open seat.” Louisa Ward serves as the group’s on-campus advisor and Lawrence Powers, senior pastor at Benson BaptistBenson and former CBFNC campus minister, serves as the off-campus advisor. The group’s fall activities included monthly meetings where they shared a meal provided by a local church and a devotional led by someone from the church. They also

By Jamie Rorrer CBFNC Director of Communications