Ivy chosen to lead Miss. Baptists’ Collegiate Ministries

By William Perkins
Editor

Sam Ivy, Baptist Student Union (BSU) director at the Mississippi University for Women (MUW) in Columbus and East Mississippi Community College (EMCC) in Scooba, was selected Dec. 6 to lead the Collegiate Ministries Department at the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board (MBCB) in Jackson. He replaces Lloyd Lunceford, who retired in June.

Ivy

Ivy was the unanimous choice of the MBCB Executive Committee, meeting at Mississippi Baptists’ Central Hills Retreat in Attala County prior to the full board meeting at the campground.

“Sam brings experience at every level of campus ministry within the Mississippi landscape,” said Shawn Parker, MBCB executive director-treasurer, who pastored Ivy at First Church, Columbus, before coming to the board.

“He’s been involved in the community college, the major four-year university, and the smaller four-year campus as well. I’m thankful to have someone who has experience at each of these levels and can lead this work from personal insight.

Parker

“On top of that, he’s done a remarkable job at MUW of establishing a solid program through both evangelism and discipleship efforts. I’m confident he’s going to work hard to strengthen what is already one of the marquis ministries of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board.

“I’d encourage everyone to pray for him and his family during this transition,” Parker said.

Ivy, a Pontotoc native, holds a master of arts degree in pastoral ministry (2020) from New Orleans Seminary; a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering degree from Mississippi State University in Starkville (2018); and an associate of arts degree from Itawamba Community College in Fulton (2015).

He is currently enrolled in the doctor of ministry degree program at New Orleans Seminary.

Ivy served from May-August 2017 as a camp counselor at Central Hills Retreat, and as BSU director for MUW/EMCC from August 2018 to the present. He will begin his new position in early January.

Hamilton

David Hamilton, senior pastor of West Heights Church, Pontotoc, and currently chairman of the MBCB Executive Committee, was Ivy’s childhood pastor. “I don’t know of anyone who would be a better fit for this position than Sam Ivy,” he said. “I have known Sam since he was a teenager in our youth department at West Heights Baptist Church. He was always a leader among our youth and was willing to serve anywhere he was asked to.

“When Dr. Parker asked me what I thought about Sam for this position, my first thought was, ‘You won’t find anyone who will work harder.’  Sam has a passion for serving Jesus and he has a passion for collegiate ministry. I have no doubt that he is the person for this ministry at this time,” Hamilton said.

Ivy and his wife of three years, Abby, are expecting their first child. “It is an honor to serve in the Baptist Student Union ministry that God used to bless my life in so many ways!,” Ivy wrote in a statement to The Baptist Record after his selection.

“The mission of BSU ministry is, ‘To Know Christ and To Make Him Known.’ Our BSU staff is comprised of some of the most talented and driven men and women that I’ve had the privilege of serving with and knowing.

BSU DIRECTORS – Baptist Student Union directors and staffers pose with Lloyd Lunceford (seated), retiring director of collegiate ministries at the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, at a reception in his honor in the Skyroom of the Baptist Building in Jackson. Sam Ivy, the incoming Collegiate Ministries director, is standing to the immediate left of Lunceford. (Photo credit: Bart Lambright)

“We will seek to reach students where they live, work, and play, understanding that every campus and city is rich with culture and requires an intentional mission strategy. I’m excited for all the God is already doing to spark revival on our college campuses and in our Mississippi Baptist churches!” he wrote.

The Collegiate Ministry program and BSU campus locations are supported by the Mississippi Cooperative Program and direct gifts from local churches. BSU members also personally raise funds for ministry and missions efforts.