Baylor BSM receives Mabee Foundation challenge grant for new campus ministry center

The Texas Baptist Missions Foundation (TBMF) announced Tuesday that the Mabee Foundation has awarded a $1.3 million Challenge Grant toward the construction of the new Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) Center at Baylor University.

TBMF President Jerry Carlisle spoke about the significance of the financial gift.

“This Mabee Challenge Grant is a strong endorsement of the BSM Center at Baylor project. Over the past 75 years, the Mabee Foundation has made strategic grants totaling over $1.5 billion for impactful buildings; their process encourages increased generosity in every project,” Carlisle said. “We are grateful to partner with this Kingdom-focused organization.”

Will Bowden, director of the Baylor BSM, said God is at work on the university campus.

“BSM at Baylor already engages over 6,000 students each year; this new 12,000 square-foot Baptist Student Ministry Center will give us room for incredible growth,” Bowden said. “The Center will serve as a home for campus ministry to raise up student leaders who can articulate their Christian faith and be sent out to make a global impact for the gospel.”

Baylor University conveyed to Texas Baptists the deed for a one-acre parcel of land at the intersection of 4th Street and Daughtrey Avenue during an April ceremony in Waco. Per a 2023 agreement, that transfer was initiated once the $3 million fundraising goal was reached. 

Carlisle noted that TBMF has now raised $3.253 million of the $7 million needed to construct the new Center. To receive the Mabee Challenge Grant, an additional $2.447 million must be given or pledged within the next eleven months.

“The entire project depends upon the generosity of God’s people,” Carlisle said. He urged those connected to the university and the BSM to consider participating “prayerfully and financially” in the days to come. 

Once the $7 million cost of construction is met, TBMF intends to raise a $2 million endowment fund to operate the building.

To learn more and make a gift, visit baylorbsm.com/bsm-building.

Texas Baptist Student Ministry engages 1.6 million Texas college students to follow Christ and transform the world. Texas BSM currently has a presence on 130 campuses around the state.

Headquartered in Midland, TX, the Mabee Foundation has helped fund new construction and building renovations for non-profit organizations since 1948. It funds projects in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas.