“God is so good! Looking back, I can clearly see how He has woven a tapestry that only He could have created. I love college-aged young adults and view this stage of life as one of the most pivotal times for a person. When my children both left for college, I found myself with a little more time.

In the fall of 2021, I met a couple of people from the TJC BSM at an evangelism training at South Spring Baptist Church (SSBC). The training felt so practical that I asked if I could start tagging along on their campus outreach. I then began attending their Wednesday morning lunches, where I met local college students and connected with BSM leaders in the spring of 2022. It was a wonderful experience that I thought had come to an end when the BSM shifted to missions over the summer.

During that summer, I started attending a women’s Bible study at SSBC and began to feel a weight I had never experienced before, as though God was asking something of me. By August, I asked my Bible study prayer group—Becky Davidson and Gail R—to pray with me, as I wasn’t entirely sure what God was calling me to do. Then, in September, almost like a light switch turning on, I was praying one day when I recalled a conversation I had earlier in the spring with Reagan, the TJC BSM leader. He had mentioned that, with so many college students in Tyler, very few were involved in churches. In that moment, I felt God clearly say, “Get college students in churches.”

That statement set me on a journey of talking with leaders throughout the area and connecting with every college ministry I could find.

What began as an idea for a local ministry fair grew into a vision for an overnight camp. One of the people I reached out to was Blake Arrington, who had recently been hired at SSBC. He had previously served as a college minister at several churches and had a deep passion for reaching college students. Little did I know that Blake had been dreaming of a camp for incoming freshmen for several years. Having attended Texas A&M and served as a college minister in the area, he was very familiar with the IMPACT Retreat. We both recognized this as a perfect opportunity to combine our hearts for students.

A group of local college ministry leaders began meeting regularly to plan the event—a long shot, considering we didn’t start planning until June 2023, with the event scheduled for August 2023. Our first event, ETX Connection – One Day, began with worship at SSBC, followed by connection time and breakout sessions teaching students how to evangelize on their campuses. The event culminated with a ministry fair at Green Acres Baptist Church, where local college ministry leaders shared opportunities with students. The day ended with a concert by Chris Renzema, generously donated by a local business owner. It was a fun and successful day, but it also made us realize the need to form a nonprofit to continue the work.

One Sunday morning in September, while at church, I saw my prayer friend Becky Davidson and asked if she knew anyone who was passionate about college students. She replied, “I am!” And just like that, we had our third board member. Becky had been praying for college ministry for years and was thrilled to see something new begin. We officially formed the nonprofit, ETX Connection, in January 2024.

With Blake, Becky, and myself—along with Matt Munoz, a dedicated college ministry leader, and a couple of college students—we worked tirelessly throughout the year to plan our first overnight camp at Timberline Baptist Camp. The goal was to connect college students with one another, with Jesus, and with like-minded local churches. At camp, we hosted a ministry fair that allowed church and para-church leaders to connect with students. It was such a blessing to watch students build relationships, get plugged into churches, and make new friends.

In 2024 and 2025, we hosted two-day, one-night camps, and this year our student executive team is leading the charge to plan a three-day, two-night camp. Along the way, we have been blessed with talented and dedicated college students and leaders who have helped with every aspect of camp. This year, we also welcomed two new board members, and our student Executive Team has grown to six members.

Through it all, God has guided, directed, and provided at every turn. We are amazed at how He has orchestrated everything, and to Him be all the glory.”