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“We saw a lot of disunity among the African-American students on campus,” Melissa said, “and we thought this would be a good way to bring them together.”

So, on their own, they held weekly Bible studies. Though the studies were sparsely attended, a dedicated group of about five students came regularly. Then in the fall of 1998, Harvey and Melissa began to pray about the direction of the Bible study. Through that prayer, they felt God was leading them to join with InterVarsity as a CBC (Collegiate, Black and Christian) affiliate.

Attendance jumped to about 25 students a week. “We considered this a blessing from God,” Harvey said. He added that the increased attendance confirmed to him that he made the right choice in becoming a part of InterVarsity.

Melissa, a counselor, and Harvey, a campus minister, led the group in singing, Bible study and Christian fellowship each Tuesday night. Often meetings lasted for more than two hours.

“Students don’t feel intimidated here, they feel they can come and be themselves,” Harvey said. When Harvey began his campus ministry, he said he was saddened by the small number of blacks involved in ministry. He added that many African-American students felt uncomfortable going to other religious groups on campus where there was little black representation.

Angie Martin, a senior from Richmond, Kentucky, said the CBC has helped her gain control in her life. “Melissa and Harvey are loving and concerned about my problems,” she said, “I feel at ease here; I can say whatever I want.” Martin has a young child and says she joined CBC when her problems were “hitting me all at one time. It’s easy to stray. But here I can worship the Lord and pray. I could be doing a lot of other things, but I show up here faithfully.”

Toyia Franklin, a senior from Louisville, has been with CBC since its early Bible study days. She stayed faithful for so long in order to reach out to other African-American students on EKU’s campus. “The group has grown tremendously in the last two years,” she said.

Another student, Willie Brooks, Jr., a graduate student from Tuskegee, Alabama, said that CBC members have become his extended family. He sees himself as sort of a father figure in this close-knit group. “I mainly help others to adjust. There are many first-generation college students here and we try to embrace them and take them in to the best of our ability,” Brooks said.

The Cozarts have many plans for their ministry. Their top priority is to “see people develop a relationship with God,” Harvey said. Another goal is making black students feel comfortable about their faith and themselves on a predominately white campus. But their ultimate goal is quite a lofty one. Though they have not yet set a definite timetable, they plan to merge CBC members with EKU’s larger InterVarsity group. This, they said, will be part of their dream to see racial reconciliation begin among blacks and whites on campus.

Why are they taking on such an awesome responsibility? “God put a burden on our hearts for students,” Melissa said.

This year CBC started the school year with a joint InterVarsity/CBC meeting. They met for a time of praise, worship and Bible study. In addition to the joint meetings, both groups will meet for a daily prayer session at EKU's meditation chapel. Plans for joint conferences are also in the works.

“We're trying to grow together in unity and love, and let our light shine for Jesus Christ,” Harvey said.