Baptist Student work was started as soon as the college opened in 1923. The pastor of First Baptist Church, Rev. Bonnie Grimes, hosted J.P. Boone, the secretary of the Student Department of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, on October 21, 1923. The first president of the college, Dr. A.W. Birdwell, a deacon at First Baptist, encouraged its work.

Sue Barksdale was employed to guide the Stephen F. Austin State College BSU in 1942. She was a secretary at First Baptist Church and alos ministered to college students as the BSU Secretary. The first Basptist Student Center was located at 113 Weetermark during her leadership in 1943-44.

A significant advance in the ministry of the BSU came when the First Baptist Church, Fredonia Hill Baptist Church, and Hoya Hill Baptist Church worked to secure a Baptist Bible Chair at the Stephen F. Austin State College. Dr. William B. Coble was employed as Bible Teacher and BSU Director in 1948. The Baptist Student Center was moved to 125 East College Street when a two-story frame house was purchased in 1948.

The old building was built in 1952 to provide for a suitable ministry setting.

The SFA BSM is committed to missions. We currently have ministries that reach the county jail, low-income housing areas, and nursing homes. Students have served as ministers in area churches as well. In addition, hundreds of students have served on short-term mission projects and as summer missionaries. Stephen F. Austin State University is also in the top ten state universities in preparing SBC missionaries, a legacy that spans from Baker James Cauthen to John Coffman.

Our Legacy