Baptist collegiate groups use Pop Tarts in ministry

By Lisa Sergent, assistant editor , Illinois Baptist

NAMB missionary Serena Butler, campus minister at Illinois State University, Normal, Ill., hands out Pop Tarts to college students on a recent rainy morning. On average, 300-500 students pick up a Pop Tart for breakfast at the ISU BCM table on Tuesday mornings.

NORMAL , Ill.-- Pop Tart toaster pastries are a pantry staple in many homes. Their popularity comes from being easy to eat on the run, no fork or heating required. These qualities have also made them a great witnessing tool for Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) groups in Illinois. One of the participating groups is on the campus of Illinois State University (ISU) in Normal.

Illinois State campus minister Serena Butler, a NAMB missionary, has led the group in handing the toaster pastries out to students rushing to classes every Tuesday morning on campus. Each Pop Tart is labeled with a Bible verse, or as one student called them, “a God saying.” The label also contains BCM meeting and contact information. On average, the group gives out between 300 and 350 toaster pastries each week. Some of the Pop Tarts are donated by Illinois Baptist State Association churches, while most are purchased through gifts to the Cooperative Program.

As students approach the table, Butler greets them with a cheery, “Good morning, would you like a free Pop Tart?” She sees regulars approach and greets them by name. Then, she asks them how they did on the exam they took last week or if they watched the basketball game the night before. They smile, happy that she remembered them and begin to talk with her. Some will tell her about a paper that is due or another challenge they have facing them. Butler always tells them she will be praying for them.

During the two semesters Butler and her BCM members have been handing out the popular toaster pastries, the most common questions students have asked were, “They’re free? Really free? Why are they free?” and “Why are you out here every Tuesday?” She said the questions give BCM members the opportunity to explain they are a Christian group on campus and the free Pop Tarts are their way of sharing God's love and what He did for them.

The success of this ministry shows how outreach efforts have changed in recent years. Butler said, “Over the last few years, we’ve come to understand that you can’t just advertise about your group. You have to go where the students are. Posters and other mail-outs are just not as effective.”

While no one has made a decision for Christ at the Pop Tart table, seeds are being planted. One student came to the table and asked if anyone had a “light” for her cigarette. No one did and Lori Hallatt, a BCM student working at the table, told her, “Maybe God is trying to tell you something.” After some conversation, Hallett was able to pray with the student for God to give her the strength to overcome her addiction.

Another student began to share his problem with depression and asked Butler if she would e-mail him some Bible verses to help him.

Other students have commented that the BCM group has made their day by giving them Pop Tarts and that they are the only reason they make it to their 9 a.m. class. Some have said they know they can count on BCM to be there on Tuesday morning.

A few students have declined to take a Pop Tart after learning it was from a Christian group. One said he did not feel right about taking it since he had no interest in coming to a Bible study.

They have also met students who attended church when they lived at home, but have stopped attending after leaving to attend the university. Each is encouraged to get back into church and invited to the next BCM Bible study. Other students have shared that they only attended church when their parents wanted to punish them for something they had done wrong and how church is “a bunch of rules to earn your way to heaven.” Butler explained how they cannot “earn their way into heaven,” and that is why Jesus had to pay the price for the things they had done wrong in their lives. She also shared how “the rules” are guidelines God has to protect them because He loves them so much.

With the spring semester over, Butler shared, “We met a lot of people through the Pop Tart ministry and had the opportunity to share the Gospel with many of them. It is our prayer that God’s Word will continue to prick their hearts through out the summer and that someone will make contact with them next year.
“We did a survey the last two weeks and were able to get some names and e-mails of students who are interested in Bible study next year. We plan to contact them next week.”

Butler asked Illinois Baptists to pray for all campus ministries. She said, “There is such a huge need. Please continue to pray for our campuses and that those of us working to share the Gospel will not get discouraged. The task is just so huge.”