By Rachel Crenshaw, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.— “The theme of this year's Baptist Campus Ministry is love, truth and action. Because so many great people came to support this year's dinner theater, CU students can now live out the theme through various missions trips this spring break,” said Emily Bryant, a junior from Louisville, Ky., and fundraising coordinator for BCM, as she spoke about Campbellsville University's 15th annual Baptist Campus Ministry dinner theater Friday, Feb. 6.
The dinner theater is an event, open to the public upon paid admission, designed to raise funds for the yearly mission trips taken during spring break.

“Around 100 guests joined us for an evening of wonderful fellowship around the table,” said Ed Pavy, director of campus ministries. “It was a great event for the BCM and all who attended. We raised around $500 to support our students in missions.”

Volunteers from the BCM provided the service and entertainment for the night. Several Creative Ministries teams, under the direction of Esther Middlekauff, a junior from Barnegat, N.J., and creative ministries coordinator, performed Bible-based entertainment through drama, sign language and various backlight ensembles.
In addition, the first place winners of the Dave & Ed Show performed their winning song “That's How You Know.”

BCM President James Dean, a senior of Williamsburg, Ohio, spoke about the 2008-09 BCM strategy of “Love=Truth+Action.”

BCM President-Elect Garrett Lowery, a junior of Mt. Washington, Ky., gave his testimony over his recent overseas mission trip through the International Mission Board effort called “Christmas in China.” Lowery was one of a four-person team of CU students who attended the trip.
Lowery touched on five basic reasons on why he believes God sent him to China which were to: shine the light to his people; the gospel must be preached; the gospel can't be chained; if you just believe, he will work through you, and to learn to stay the course because His work is never done.

The money raised at the annual event will help student endeavors over spring break to travel to Costa Rica, Mexico; New Orleans, La.; Toledo, Ohio; Dearborn, Mich.; Houston, Texas; Panama City Beach, Fla.; Miami, Fla., and Orlando, Fla., in order to participate in various types of missions.

Pioneer College Caterers Inc. catered the meal for the dinner theater.

Pavy said the BCM is planning to have a 16th annual dinner theater on Friday, Feb. 19, 2010.

Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,601 students who represent 93 Kentucky counties, 27 states and 31 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report's 2009 “America's Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South for the second consecutive year. CU has been ranked 16 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America's Best Christian Colleges®. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his tenth year as president.