JT Norcross Casts Vision for College Ministry at EBA Pastors’ Luncheon

ENNIS — August 26, 2025 — Ellis Baptist Association kicked off its fall pastors’ luncheon series at Tabernacle Baptist Church with its largest turnout to date—28 pastors and guests. The featured speaker was JT Norcross, director of the Navarro College Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) in Corsicana, who shared how God is moving among students and outlined a Navarro BSM initiative to begin ministry on the Waxahachie campus—starting with prayer-walking the campus this fall.

Norcross described the mission of Navarro BSM and the opportunity of discipling students during their two years at a community college:

“My heart is to see students come to know the Lord in personal relationship and grow through discipleship. The unique aspect of working with students at a junior college is that we can create and train missionaries in the two years we have them. After training them up we get to send them into four-year universities and the workforce as advocates for the Gospel of Christ. This Great Commission vision is a blessing and an exciting mission that I’m proud to be a part of.”

Navarro BSM serves students from its home base at 3245 W. 7th Ave., Corsicana, with weekly touch points like Tuesday Night Bible Studies and a Wednesday Free Lunch outreach on campus. Baptist Student Ministry The ministry’s heartbeat is simple and clear: “We take hold of Jesus as King, enjoy Him daily, and share Him with others.” Baptist Student Ministry

As BSM director, Norcross focuses on developing student leaders who will carry the gospel into universities and the workplace—an emphasis highlighted in recent coverage from statewide Baptist news outlets. Baptist Standard+1

A Next Step in Waxahachie

EBA and Navarro BSM will begin by prayer-walking the Waxahachie campus, inviting Waxahachie area churches to cover the campus in intercession. Pastors and church members who are interested in joining a prayer walk or exploring on-campus service opportunities can contact the EBA office for upcoming dates. Navarro College

Getting to know JT Norcross

Norcross has served in ministry since 2011, primarily as a youth and music minister. He and his wife, LaNelle, actively serve in their local church. LaNelle teaches at a junior high. They are parents to four children—Dawson, Brooke, Seth, and Jaxon.  JT’s dad is Shane Norcross, a former pastor in southern Ellis County.

How You and EBA Churches Can Help

• Join a prayer walk at the Waxahachie campus (details forthcoming).
• Adopt a BSM outreach (provide meals for a Wednesday lunch or help with Tuesday night gatherings in Corsicana). Baptist Student Ministry
• Pray for student leaders to be raised up and sent out from our region’s campuses.

For more on Navarro BSM’s ministry and rhythms, visit the Navarro BSM website. Baptist Student Ministry

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