TALLAHASSEE, Florida — For Kurt Shiver, becoming the Baptist Collegiate Ministries director at Florida State University feels like coming home. A native of Mayo, Florida, located just one hour from Tallahassee, Shiver has a sincere love for the students and campus at Florida State.
“There is a deep sense of camaraderie with the local churches,” said Shiver. “I’m stepping into a healthy ministry and a fruitful situation where we can continue the work that has already begun.”
As the Baptist Collegiate Ministries director at Florida State University, Shiver will work with local church leadership to engage students in the greater Tallahassee area, including on campus at Tallahassee Community College, Chipola College and Gulf Coast State College.
Shiver hopes to engage students through compelling events and small groups meeting on campus throughout each week. He believes there is much potential to reach students with the gospel of Christ. “Students are plugged in to the ministry and faithful to share Christ with their peers,” said Shiver, who hopes to raise up leaders on campus.
The college ministry largely focuses on outreach, disciple-making, missions and mobilization, measuring success by the number of believers following through with baptism in a local church. “We had three professions of faith during our first meeting this semester,” said Shiver.
“The Lord has used Kurt on our team for years,” said Nathan Schneider, lead catalyst for next generation ministries, Florida Baptist Convention. “He has been an encouragement to our team statewide and a leader among leaders, modeling intentionality in discipleship and evangelism. We’re thrilled to now have him providing oversight for our collegiate ministries in Tallahassee. He will be a blessing to students on campus and the local churches.”
Shiver’s start in the position coincided with the start of the 2026 fall semester. The position was left vacant after the previous director, Barry Sproles, announced his calling to be an associate pastor of ministries at First Baptist in Brunswick, Georgia.
The hiring was officially approved by the Florida Baptist State Board of Missions in its July and August meetings.
Kurt Shiver, his wife, Ann, and their four children are excited to be in the Tallahassee area. Shiver hopes to raise leaders for Christ on campus at FSU.
