BCM Director Gilmore’s Call and Return to NGU
Posted on: March 27, 2019
Tigerville, SC (March 27, 2019) Even before graduating from NGU, Joshua Gilmore (’05, MA’07) and his wife, the former Nicole Rebardo (’05), knew they would one day return to serve on campus. What they did not know was when or how they would be able to come back.
Gilmore had one commitment that he held above all others, he made a special vow with God. Together, the couple promised God that they would travel to minister anywhere He called them to go.
Much to their surprise, this promise led them to Chicago, where Gilmore would serve as a youth pastor with a five-year commitment.
Gilmore shared that moving to Chicago was a significant transition from what he was used to from living in the South. Gilmore and his wife faced cultural differences that made doing youth ministry much more difficult than they had expected at first.
On top of the stresses that came with adjusting to another culture, Gilmore and his wife also had to adjust to the freezing temperatures and snowstorms common of a Northern winter.
However, Gilmore explained that the difficulties he experienced serving in Chicago led him to grow deeper in his relationship with God and his understanding of the church.
After Gilmore finished his term in Chicago, he again felt the tug on his heart to return to NGU.
Having worked as the director of Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) at NGU for almost one full school year, students across campus have noticed one thing in particular about Gilmore: he has a heart for ministering to college students.
William Winstead (expected ‘22) wrote in a paper for a class about Gilmore, “He will sit down with students one-on-one and pour into them spiritually. Often, he goes around the cafeteria asking each student how he can pray for them, once he knows their needs and struggles, he will stop and pray with them.”
Winstead, who has attended BCM for the last four semesters, described BCM as the heartbeat of NGU’s spiritual life on campus.
Regarding BCM’s impact on NGU, Camille Hagerman (expected ‘19) shared, “BCM definitely helped me grow spiritually and learn about the community on campus. BCM was a big blessing because the whole group of BCM leaders is encouraging, fun, and loving at times when I needed encouragement.”
Courtney Chestnut (expected ‘21) wrote an article introducing Gilmore for NGU’s Vision Online. “I want to help people connect the dots between the Creator and the creation,” Gilmore told Chestnut.
According to Winstead, Gilmore prays regularly for three things, “A full out revival on NGU’s campus, an increase of diversity among our student body of BCM, and to deploy more and more students in ministry and missions on and off campus.”
Currently, BCM attendances average around 250 students, but this number can vary depending on school events. “The swings in attendance are related to finals, midterms, breaks, and athletic events,” said Gilmore. BCM has attracted upwards of 900 students for some meetings.
BCM gathers every Thursday at 7 p.m. All students are invited to join in the worship, regardless of denomination.
Learn more about BCM.
Article written by NGU Communications Intern Hannah Hurst (expected ’19).
