BCM Student Shares Story of Radical Transformaton
By Sharon Mager
TOWSON, Md. — Brandon Arnold, a Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) student leader with GraceLife ministry at Towson University (TU), said he attended church, wore a cross around his neck and called himself a Christian in high school while living with what he now describes as “false assurance.”
Sharing his conversion story, Brandon, a senior at TU majoring in finance and accounting, said, “I didn’t really have a relationship with Jesus.” Travel sports programs eventually pushed Sundays aside. After that, he said, “I got caught up in a sinful lifestyle, satisfying my own desires and trying to be the god of my own life. And the whole time, I would’ve called myself a Christian.”
Towson University Senior Brandon Arnold shares how he was holding on to “false assurance” before The Lord opened my eyes to His power, His goodness, and His forgiveness, and I became a believer. I’ve been treasuring Christ ever since.” (Photo submitted)
But God! “The Lord, in His sovereignty and power, opened my eyes. I had no desire for God before that, and then my affections and every aspect of my life began to change.”
He looks back gratefully on a group of people who, without his knowledge, were specifically and persistently praying for him. God answered those prayers. Brandon is thankful for the many people who prayed and poured into him.
While Brandon was in high school, there was a strong Young Life ministry, and students gathered in parking lots for worship and prayer. In 2023, one of those students, Lucy, texted Brandon’s older sister this message:
“I wanted to tell you that we pray for Brandon and your whole family every day. … There’s a wall in my house with names on it of people we intercede for, and Brandon is on it. … I truly believe God is releasing His Spirit over him right now, and Brandon will know Him as his Savior. It’s only a matter of time.”
After Brandon’s baptism, his sister showed him that text, and he now uses it in sharing his testimony with others.
As a college freshman, Brandon was required to take a philosophy course. His teacher was Professor Mike McQuitty.
He said, “I had no interest in philosophy, but slowly I was just drawn into the questions that we were asked, and the things we discussed. For the first time, I began thinking about who God is, the ultimate end of life, and what I was living for. I realized I had no relationship with Jesus, no assurance. I was guilty in my sin and was in rebellion against God.”
He began reading through the Gospel of Matthew and grew increasingly thirsty to know more. Soon, he was attending McQuitty’s class help sessions – not because the class was hard for him, but simply to hear more and ask questions.
A GraceLife small group meets to study the Bible. (Brandon is second from right) (Photo submitted)
During winter break, Brandon continued to search. He read Romans and several other books, including Radical by David Platt and The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
“I was just so challenged by this understanding of Christianity that I’d never heard before,” he said.
Brandon’s sister’s faith and obedience also influenced his conversion. He was amazed when she and her husband announced to their family that God had called them to the mission field to serve in the North Africa and Middle East region (NAME).
“It became clear that her worldview was completely different, and there was a radical willingness to follow Jesus across the world,” Brandon said. “I realized that the ‘god’ I had worshipped my whole life was not her God.”
“For a long time … I was counting the cost and asking myself, ‘Is this really worth it?’ But when I looked at the reward, I saw that it was far greater. The Lord showed me that Jesus really is worth it. And the Lord opened my eyes to His power, His goodness and His forgiveness, and I became a believer. I’ve been treasuring Christ ever since — it’s been a radical change in my life.”
McQuitty, who also serves as a BCM leader with GraceLife ministry, began meeting with Brandon weekly, discipling him as Brandon grew in his faith.
“I would ask questions for two to three hours, and he was willing to sit there and listen,” Brandon said. “Knowing how busy he was, that was very generous. I think that instilled in me a desire to disciple others — to pour into others’ lives with that model and imitate Mike’s faithfulness.” And now Brandon meets with. other new believers, or those searching, encouraging, and challenging them.
Brandon began regularly participating in GraceLife. He also joined and was baptized at Valley Baptist Church, where McQuitty serves as lead pastor. “Being part of the local church has been a huge part of my discipleship — sitting under the preaching of the Word and inviting others into that,” Brandon said.
Towson students take a break to pose for a photo during their fall retreat. (Photo submitted)
Remembering the prayer lists from high school, Brandon later helped introduce focused prayer gatherings into existing Friday night youth and collegiate meetings at Valley Church. Students began writing down the names of classmates they met and praying for them by name, and the number of participants grew rapidly.
God is opening more doors for Brandon. In September, McQuitty gave Brandon the opportunity to preach his first sermon at Valley Baptist Church. In March, he preached at Cockeysville Baptist Church, led by Pastor Justin Manry, a former TU graduate also involved in GraceLife ministry. This winter, Brandon traveled to Central Asia for a mission trip with other students and church members.
Brandon will graduate in the fall and plans to attend The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary either in person or online, alongside a local church residency internship.
He’s excited about what God is doing and is trusting God as he looks toward the future. He now has true assurance in Christ.
For more information about BCM/D Collegiate Ministry and how your church and/or students can be involved, visit our website or email State Director of Collegiate Missions Jess Senasack.
Sharon Mager serves as BCM/D content and stories editor.