Regent University Holds its Fifth Annual QEP Global Roundtable



Ashleigh Chapman discusses her passion
for souls during the QEP Global Roundtable.
Photo by Alex Perry



By Brett Wilson

February 26, 2013

For five consecutive years, Regent University has addressed the challenge of leading as Christians in a disjointed world during its annual Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Global Roundtable panel. Friday Feb. 21, three distinguished speakers spurred the discussion of global competency, and asked—not only what Jesus would do—but how he would lead in the ever-evolving and modernized world.
According to president Dr. Carlos Campo, leading like Christ is paired with the responsibility of bearing eternity in mind when it comes to sharing the Gospel.

"Hundreds of years before Hester Prynne, there was the woman at the well," said Campo, retelling the story of Jesus' controversial connection with the Samaritan woman. "He didn't just leave her with a Gospel tract—he had a genuine concern for the eternal consequences of her sin."

Eternal awareness in daily interactions with individuals is the key to leading like Christ did, according to Ashleigh Chapman, the administrative director for the Center for Global Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law at Regent Law School. She calls this simply, "caring for souls."

"God has placed us in this world for a purpose," said Chapman. "That's true for you, it's true for me, and it's true for every single person on this planet."

Chapman warned that one of the main hindrances that separate leaders from Christ is their neglect of ministering to the brothers and sisters working alongside them as they charge into the world seeking change.

"If we're going to lead in Jesus' name, we can't let things like that creep in so easily—it's a poison, said Chapman.

Though Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño, the dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, acknowledges the acute awareness this generation of students has of current social justice issues, he is worried that is creating temptation for students to serve as a result of a trend rather than a purpose.

"You can't just jump on the bandwagon," said Moreno-Riaño. "You must have a thorough Gospel understanding of Jesus Christ."

Dr. Paul Bonicelli, executive vice president, explained that the most basic understanding of Christ and the Gospel comes from the realization that globalization and supporting freedom for people of other nations to "purple their fingers" or "punch a chad" is everyone's responsibility.

"People don't simply want the trains to run on time, they want to be free," said Bonicelli. "They want their dignity respected by their government."

The very role of the Christian leader is to care deeply for "human flourishing" across the nations, according to Bonicelli. Its lack in certain areas of the world is something that should be disturbing to followers of Jesus everywhere.

"What Christian could say, 'that's not my business—that's someone else's problem to deal with?'" asked Bonicelli.

Though the harvest is plenty and the workers are few, when it comes to advocacy for human rights and Christ-like global leadership, its recognition starts with individuals simply paying attention.

"There are a great many things we could do in this world that do not matter, but we all have to wake up to what Jesus would have us do," said Chapman. "We live in a broken world, but there is an almighty God who can hold it together."

Learn more about the Center for Global Justice.

PR/NEWS CONTACT:
Mindy Hughes, Public Relations
Phone: 757.352.4095 Fax: 757.352.4888
E-mail: mhughes@regent.edu

Regent Celebrates Global Day of Worship



By Amanda Morad

December 14, 2012 




President Campo leads chapel in "Hark!
The Herald Angels Sing."

As the semester winds down, pausing for reflection in worship remains a priority for the Regent University community. Recognizing this, President Carlos Campo spoke at a special chapel on Wednesday, Dec. 12, which also featured guest worship artists, Rooted Deep, and Orphan's Promise founder, Terry Meeuwsen.



The chapel service coincided with the Global Day of Worship, an international event featuring 24 hours of worship across 24 time zones, and occurred just hours before Adora America, a worship event featuring several Latino pastors and ministers, filled the Main Theatre for the East Coast broadcast of the Global Day of Worship.

President Campo focused his remarks on the story of Charles Wesley and the Holy Club he co-founded at Oxford University in the 18th century with his brother John Wesley and his friend George Whitfield. "Transform this campus," President Campo challenged students. "You are welcome here to form a 'Holy Club.'"

The Wesleys' transformative methods of worshipping God eventually produced the Methodist denomination and changed both the "old" and "new" world forever, President Campo explained.

"We are outcomes based, right?" he asked chapelgoers, "But we're looking beyond academic outcomes to the ultimate heavenly outcome. How are we preparing students for that?"

One way is through Regent's annual Week of Worship. Five days of special chapel services and a culminating night of worship called students, staff and faculty to focus on their faith. Regent's week of worship is held each November.

Another way Regent is preserving its commitment to spiritual outcomes is the building of the Chapel, expected to open in spring 2013. "So much will happen in that building across the way," predicted President Campo.

Acknowledging both Wesleys' contributions to the canon of traditional church hymns, President Campo concluded his remarks with a breakdown of one of Charles Wesley's more well-known hymns, "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing." After explaining what the beloved lyrics represent, President Campo led the audience in the seasonal song.

What the vision and mission of Regent University come down to, he said as he concluded, is "glory—may it ever be true on this campus, that we bring glory to the name of God."

Learn more about Campus Ministries.

PR/NEWS CONTACT:
Mindy Hughes, Public Relations
Phone: 757.352.4095 Fax: 757.352.4888
E-mail: mhughes@regent.edu

Registration Opens for Study Trip to Turkey

By Amanda Morad

December 7, 2012

From the mosques of Istanbul to the ancient walls of Troy, Turkey is often considered the cradle of civilization. Regent University's School of Education (SOE) is offering a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the depth of history and culture of Turkey by taking a study tour June 15-26, 2013.
"We will investigate innovation in education from a global perspective as we begin our adventure in [the capital city of] Ankara," said trip leader Dr. Hope Jordan, a professor in SOE. The group will also visit the cities of Cappadocia, Ephesus and Istanbul.

"Turkey has a rich history—that history has significance for Christians with such historic sites as Ephesus, the Hagia Sophia, Laodicea, and the church cave of St. Peter," said Jordan. Outings to each of these sites and others are scheduled throughout the 10-day trip.

Graduate and undergraduate students are invited to participate and earn three credit hours for the study tour. The trip is also open to the community at large. "Anyone who would like to collaborate and learn from teachers and educational leaders while visiting this ancient nation is welcome to join the class," Jordan added.

Of the many highlights of the trip will be a Best Practices in Education roundtable, hosted by Jordan and the team and involving Turkish university and K-12 educators.

Participants will earn three credits at a special reduced tuition rate. Registration for the trip is now open and final travel expenses will be due April 15.

Learn more about the trip.

PR/NEWS CONTACT:
Mindy Hughes, Public Relations
Phone: 757.352.4095 Fax: 757.352.4888
E-mail: mhughes@regent.edu

Professor Joins Outreach Team in Malaysia

By Rachel Bender

December 12, 2012

It was a different kind of mission trip that took Dr. Amy Trout, associate professor in Regent University's School of Psychology & Counseling (SPC), to Malaysia over Thanksgiving. Accompanied by her husband and three daughters, Trout joined her colleague, Dr. Evelyn Biles, adjunct professor in SPC, on a project designed to allow orphaned girls to experience a mother-daughter relationship.

Photo submitted by Caroline Leal:
fourth place winner of the 2012 OGA Media Contest.

The program, called "Vital Foundation for Girls," is designed to show what family love can look like to girls who have been living in a rumah (shelter) and have not had a solid home life of their own.

Biles has been traveling to Malaysia since 2002, but this was the first time Trout and her family joined the founder of Global Mosaic International.

When the family arrived, Trout and her daughters went to the Golden Palm Resort where they met a group of 18 girls who were picked to join in their adventure. The Malaysian girls were assigned a mother-daughter team to spend the week with in hopes that they would experience the love of the mothers and children, as well as learn about their own self-worth and experience unconditional love.

"A lot of what we did was really live life with these girls," Trout explained. "One girl said to me that she had never seen a real relationship between a mother and child before and that I inspired her."

Living life included playing games, having sleepovers and developing friendships. Each Malaysian girl also worked on a book called My Book of Me, containing creative pages designed to be a reminder of who they are and who they want to become.

Biles created the program simply to give girls a chance to learn more about themselves. "We wanted to have a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural experience, having invited families from Malaysia, India and also Australia, so that the girls from the rumah would see that the love expressed in a family is not just an 'American' thing, but a universal way of how God wants a family to be," explained Biles in a recent article published by Christianity Malaysia.

That also meant training local counselors to work with the girls on issues of identity, sexuality, character development, etc. This was especially important, Trout explained, because they are the ones who will continue to work with the girls long after the mothers and their children have returned to their home countries.

"We're trying to show them that we're really people—that we struggle, we hurt, we love," Trout said.

The trip was organized by Global Mosaic International, a nonprofit organization founded by Biles to provide training in leadership, counseling, conflict management, crisis management and discipleship to areas and people with limited access to these resources.

Learn more about the School of Psychology & Counseling.

PR/NEWS CONTACT:
Mindy Hughes, Public Relations
Phone: 757.352.4095 Fax: 757.352.4888
E-mail: mhughes@regent.edu

Global Education Center in South Africa Earns Incorporation

December 3, 2012



John Jones (back row center) and members
of the center's South Africa team.

On Tuesday, Nov. 20, the government of South Africa confirmed the incorporation of Regent University's Global Education Center. After months of work establishing partnerships and training opportunities, incorporation of the center will allow Regent to seek local accreditations and professional certifications for programs offered in South Africa, making those programs more appealing for local students.
"The establishment of the Global Education Center in South Africa indicates another milestone in the advancement of Regent University's global vision and ministry," said Regent president, Dr. Carlos Campo. "The university's global strategic plan includes establishing five Global Centers around the world to serve the nations, and this is the first one toward the fulfillment of that plan."

As Christianity continues its explosive growth worldwide, President Campo explained, Regent will look for strategic opportunities to expand. The university's commitment to improving the global competence of its faculty, staff and students also means that the university will continually look for ways to embed global opportunities into its curricula and operations.

Regent's entry into South Africa began around 2000, when representatives from the School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship—now the School of Business & Leadership (SBL)—began participating in educational conferences and offering seminars. In 2009, SBL began offering its online master's degrees in organizational leadership and business administration, and the School of Psychology & Counseling's Trauma Team visited South Africa to provide counseling and training, contributing to Regent's presence and growing reputation there. In 2011, SBL also began offering its online master's in strategic foresight. Currently, about 60 South African students are enrolled in courses, following on the heels of some 20 alumni living in South Africa.

"Established as a branch of Regent, the Global Education Center will serve as Regent's area office in South Africa to promote the university's vision, mission and ministry in the country and the southern Africa region," said Dr. Sergio Matviuk, executive director of Global Affairs.

"South African students are interested in Regent's education, but they are also interested in an education that has the proper recognition by the local government and professional associations," explained the center's director John Jones '10 (School of Business & Leadership). "The incorporation of the Global Education Center brings us closer to obtain those quality assurance certifications and accreditations."

"The Global Education Center becomes the most important global operation and the first international site for the university," explained Matviuk. "It provides a platform for Regent to conduct seminars and conferences, study abroad programs, service learning abroad programs and international research. As a whole, it will be a hub to provide support to Christian leadership development in South Africa."

Currently, the center promotes and markets Regent's Professional & Continuing Education programs and several online graduate programs through the School of Business & Leadership.

In the coming months, the center will work on developing its marketing strategy, building its own administrative systems, and seeking appropriate accreditations and certifications for key programs.

Learn more about Regent's Office of Global Affairs.

PR/NEWS CONTACT:
Mindy Hughes, Public Relations
Phone: 757.352.4095 Fax: 757.352.4888
E-mail: mhughes@regent.edu

Ambassador Shares Kenya Opportunities and Challenges

October 31, 2012

Hearing the name Kenya evokes an image of a country that's home to safaris and long-distance runners, but this African nation is far more complex and on a trajectory to become a key player in the global economy. His Excellency, Elkanah Odembo, ambassador to the United States from the Republic of Kenya, spent Wednesday, Oct. 24, at Regent to learn more about the university's programs in Kenya and share some of his nation's opportunities and challenges.
Ambassador Odembo's visit was the first in Regent's Office of Global Affairs Ambassador Series, which brings diplomats to Regent for personal interaction with faculty, staff and students to provide global insights for academia, community service and career growth.

"Regent's mission is to educate global leaders, and part of that education involves providing opportunities for our students to interact with global leaders," said Dr. Sergio Matviuk, executive director of the Office of Global Affairs.



His Excellency, Elkanah Odembo, ambassador
to the United States from the
Republic of Kenya, speaks at Regent.

During the day, Odembo participated in meetings with university leaders, including President Carlos Campo, as well as deans of Regent's eight schools and Professional and Continuing Education division. He learned more about Regent's work in Kenya and also discussed other opportunities for education and training.

"I'm very happy about the work that Regent is beginning to do in Kenya," Odembo said, speaking at the university's weekly chapel service. "Universities must have a global outlook and take a global approach. That's what I see at Regent, and it will yield significant fruit."

Regent's initiatives in Kenya include plans to offer Africa's first faith-based Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, in conjunction with Pan Africa Christian University, as well as ongoing discussions to provide teacher training. Regent's Center for Entrepreneurship has an affiliate that is helping to revitalize communities through business initiatives. This past summer, Regent's Trauma Team spent two weeks in Kenya, providing crisis and group counseling and offering training workshops for local mental health professionals, pastors, school children and families in the region.

One of the highlights of the ambassador's visit was his presentation to more than 150 students from Regent, Tidewater Community College, several private high schools and seven of Virginia Beach's public high schools, including Princess Anne's International Baccalaureate program and Tallwood's Global Studies Academy.

In a wide-ranging discussion, Odembo focused on Kenya's efforts in economic development. He noted that Kenya is taking a lead role to strengthen regional economic communities so that African nations do more business with each other, do more business globally and uplift the entire continent. Kenya, which has the strongest economy in east Africa, is looking for more companies to join the many companies with a large presence there, including GE, IBM and Coca-Cola.

He also talked about the nation's major investments in education, which is critical because Kenya has a very young population who need appropriate educational opportunities to become productive citizens.

Odembo openly addressed the challenges in the "horn of Africa," which has been a fairly unstable region due to problems in countries such as Somalia, Uganda, Rwanda and Sudan. He pointed out Kenya's role in promoting peace and security, such as assisting a transitional government in Somalia and helping to support a refugee camp in Kenya—the largest in the world—that has about 600,000 people living in an area designed for 60,000. "Across the board, changes are happening in Kenya and in Africa," he said. "In governance, leadership and economic development—very important things are happening."

Students demonstrated good knowledge of issues in Africa, as they posed questions to the ambassador on topics including Kenyan government policies to promote investment, U.S. policy toward Kenya and Africa, managing the challenge of ethnic tension in the region, and Kenya's new constitution, which was adopted in 2010.

Odembo has held senior-level positions at philanthropic and non-governmental organizations in east Africa for more than two decades, advocating for human rights and social justice. Before his appointment as ambassador to the U.S. in June 2010, he previously served as Kenya's ambassador to France. He has a bachelor's degree from Bowdoin College and a master's degree from the University of Texas.

Learn more about Regent's global activities.

PR/NEWS CONTACT:
Mindy Hughes, Public Relations
Phone: 757.352.4095 Fax: 757.352.4888
E-mail: mhughes@regent.edu

Registration Opens for Summer Mission Trips

By Amanda Morad

November 6, 2012

Regent University's Center for Global Missions has opened registration for its two summer 2013 mission trips. The center's fifth annual trip to Ghana will be May 15-31 and their second annual trip to China will be July 2-16.
The registration deadline for both trips is January 31, 2013.

"We are living in changing times; global communication now takes place at the speed of light, global immigration precipitated by wars and economic push factors is occurring on an unprecedented scale and cultures and religions once separated by vast chasms of land and seas are now existing very close together," said Dr. Clifton Clarke, the center's director.

"In such a complex and evolving world, the Center for Global Missions seeks to train and prepare leaders that are competent to navigate the fluctuations of these modern times through cross-cultural learning, global immersion, education for global competence and the ability to share Christ in a way that is relevant," Clarke added.

With this evolving global landscape in mind, the center is developing leaders to reach every corner of the world. In Ghana, students will have the opportunity to stay with Ghanaian families and experience the culture and hospitality of the nation first-hand. Participants will also visit churches, schools, colleges and villages, and take part in outdoor crusades.

Through these snapshots of service and outreach, participants will become familiar with African Pentecostalism. Students will share the gospel with unreached people groups and have opportunities to teach needy children and orphans. There will also be opportunities to learn about the history of the slave trade and to visit slave castles.

On the China trip, students will visit Chinese university campuses, learn about the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements in China and work with local missionaries. Visiting government-sanctioned churches will also give students a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities for evangelism and church growth in China.

The approximate cost of each trip is $3,500. Students may also register for three credit hours for each mission trip at a significantly discounted tuition rate.

Contact Eric Ketcham, Center for Global Missions coordinator, at ericket@regent.edu for application details, or start an application.

Learn more about the Center for Global Missions.

PR/NEWS CONTACT:
Mindy Hughes, Public Relations
Phone: 757.352.4095 Fax: 757.352.4888
E-mail: mhughes@regent.edu