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

Professor Trains Missionaries in Counseling Skills



Dr. Jim Sells



 

By Rachel Bender

November 12, 2012

Isolation from family. Cross-cultural adjustment. Hostility from locals. Economic hardship. These are just some of the stressors that missionaries and their families face in the field. Overcoming these stressors takes time, understanding and patience. Dr. Jim Sells, a professor in Regent University's School of Psychology & Counseling, recently explained that it can also take trained professionals dedicated to making a difference.
"Missionaries are an essential and yet very vulnerable group of Christian ministers," he said. "In all of the ways that they are similar [to pastors], they are different."

Sells was recently invited to present at a two-week workshop for missionaries in Chiang Mai, Thailand, last month. The workshops are an annual event sponsored by the Narramore Christian Foundation. These particular workshops are geared primarily toward missionaries charged with oversight of other missionaries.

The workshops provided intensive psychological training and personal enrichment for a group of 30 missionaries. Sells, along with faculty drawn primarily from Biola University's Rosemead School of Psychology, covered topics of managing stress, coping with emotions and conflict resolution within mission teams, as well as families.

The need for older missionaries to understand how to support the younger missionaries in their care is great. "Part of being a lay counselor is being able to sit intensely with emotion," Sells explained. "You need to be comfortable with your own emotions to understand the emotions of others."

Sells admits that the topic of counseling and psychological issues among missionaries is one that needs more time and attention. He is thankful that groups like the Narramore Christian Foundation are doing just that. "I don't know any place that exists in the world where there is such an intensive psychological exploration for people in ministry," he said.

While this was Sells' first trip to Thailand, it is by no means his first time dealing with the topic. He's traveled to Kenya twice, presenting workshops in Nairobi and Mumbasa.

"When you take on the support of a missionary, you are doing far more than just sending a check," he explained. "A financial aspect is needed, but there is a host of support structures that are required for a person to survive in the difficult structures under which they are working."

Ultimately, he said, "I see my job as helping to train, educate and inform churches as to what their obligations are for the care of the missionaries that they send out." And, he added, his work is providing additional knowledge and experience for his students as well. "We have a number of our students who are working in mission care settings in China and in Africa," he said. "[This is important for them] just to be more knowledgeable about how mental health needs are being addressed in the international community."

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

President Campo Connects Christianity and Globalization



Regent president, Dr. Carlos Campo

By Amanda Morad

October 26, 2012

Regent University president, Dr. Carlos Campo, discussed the relationship between Christianity and globalization at the Wednesday, Oct. 24, weekly chapel service on campus.
Campo began his address with a scene from Regent's production of The Tempest, in which the native slave Caliban is called out by the foreign ruler and sorceress Prospera. The conflict and eventual reconciliation between them, "is the story of Christianity and its intersection with cultures around the world through history," President Campo explained.

In 1910, President Campo quoted, 66 percent of Christians lived in Europe. By 2010, only 26 percent of Christians lived there. Christians in the global north are shrinking in number while numbers in the global south (South America and Africa) are burgeoning.

While much of history has marked Western Christian missions and colonization efforts as "destroyers of indigenous cultures" and "alien cultural agents," the paradigm of modern missions has changed, President Campo explained.

"We've turned our focus from preaching the gospel to living the gospel," he said. "Missions now focuses more on service than on conversion of people groups, allowing unreached cultures to come to Christ through love, rather than compulsion."

Regent's role in the globalization of Christianity is ever-increasing, President Campo noted. With business centers in Africa, social justice efforts in Europe and educational initiatives in Latin America, Regent is expanding its borders to include service with traditional missions efforts.

"I'm impressed with Regent students who understand their vertical relationship with Christ compels them to reach across to all nations and cultures," President Campo said. "It is indeed our responsibility to see that God's purposes in the earth are fulfilled."

President Campo concluded the service with The Lord's Prayer, delivered by five Regent students and faculty in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Swahili and French, representing each region of the world where Regent's missional and educational efforts can be felt.

President Campo also welcomed two special guests during the chapel service, who greeted chapel goers: Ambassador Elkanah Odembo of Kenya and Reverend Louis Muvunyi, an Anglican Bishop from Rwanda. Both guests also held separate events on campus addressing the issues and opportunities of their respective nations.

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

Study Abroad Programs See Significant Growth

October 16, 2012

In the last year, Regent University students have traveled abroad to England, France, India, China, Ghana, Israel, Jordan, Panama and Rwanda for a variety of learning abroad programs. These trips mark a period of significant growth in the number of students participating and the distance they are traveling to study topics including law and human rights, political technology, missions, English literature, government, international holistic development, C. S. Lewis's work, theology, church history, and Spanish.

Photo provided by Janina Peppers.
First place winner of the OGA Media Contest

"Our study abroad programs grew significantly this year," said Dr. Sergio Matviuk, executive director of Global Affairs. "We have experienced a 45 percent growth in the number of programs, and we have seen a 43 percent increase in the number of participants enrolled in these programs."

The favorite destination, Matviuk said, was England. Four different study abroad opportunities were offered in England over the last year.

Most of these study abroad programs were led by Regent University faculty from the Schools of Divinity, Law, Communication & the Arts, Government, Business & Leadership, and the College of Arts & Sciences. One of the programs was a student-led opportunity sponsored by the student organization Christ for India.

"More and more prospective students are looking for their university experience to include an international or global focus," said Regent president, Dr. Carlos Campo. "At Regent University, we are committed to providing our students with the global competencies they will need to be successful in a 21st century 'flat' world."

"At Regent, we are focused on educating global leaders, and we are glad to see this growing interest in our study abroad programs among our students because we believe these types of programs increase global competencies of the leaders we are forming," Matviuk said. "Growth in study abroad programs is an indicator of internationalization of campus growth, which is one of the global goals of Regent University."

Preparations for study abroad programs for the 2013 academic year are underway. The first program will take place in March 2013 in Turkey and Cyprus, offered by the School of Divinity.

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

Regent Finishes Entrepreneurship Program in Colombia

By Philip Foster

May 16^th through the 21^st I had the pleasure of traveling to Bogota Colombia to instruct a course titled “Leading and Managing a Small Business.” While in Bogota I met many wonderful people and saw the most beautiful country I could ever imagine. As part of my visit, I toured two primary schools and spoke to many students about entrepreneurship and leading an organization. The leaders of these schools asked many questions about leadership and entrepreneurship. These schools are private and the rooms are small but functional. The children all wore uniformed and when we entered the room they all stood until asked to be seated. While I spoke with an interpreter, most of the children understand English very well. They asked many questions about where I lived and what I did for a living. The most inquisitive class was the seventh graders. The most striking thing I noticed was that there were no computers in the classrooms and yet these children had an excellent command of business.

Another tour was of Cerro Norte which means the North Hill. This is one of the poorest barrios (district) in the northern part of Bogota. Bogota is a city of nearly 9 million people. As I stood on top of this mountain at an elevation above 6,000 feet I saw the splendor and beauty of this place. Bogota is surrounded by mountains and the city rests in the bowl of these mountains.

The view is breathtaking. Even my pictures do not do it justice. I was left speechless at the awe and beauty. In the distance I could see other mountains and before them I could see the flower farms where many of the flowers we purchase may come from.

Bogota is a contradiction. They have some of the most modern looking state-of-the-art buildings that I’ve ever seen. I dare say that these building rival some of the architecture of even the United States. But, right next to these areas of prosperity is factions of poor and extremely poor conditions. Cerro Norte runs up the side of a mountain. These are mostly squatters and the homes are, well…built with materials as they can obtain them. The road up to the top of the mountain is very steep and the switch backs are tight (I will tell you about the driving here in a moment). These people are very resourceful. These building spring up from the side of the mountain and in some cases are stacked on top of each other. Once you can look past the realities of poverty here the view off this mountain is stunning.

The food and coffee in Bogota was fantastic. I had the opportunity to visit what I would call a big box store called “Exito” which means success. I was most impressed with the store. Colombians are genius in their marketing techniques. Vibrant colors and the use of photography is a refreshing change of the blandness of the US marketplace. I think marketing companies could learn a lot from their colleagues here. As I understood it Exito is owned by the same company that owns the Target stores in the US.

Finally I had a meeting with the Dean of Education at the Universidad del Bosque (pronounced Boss-K). My role in this meeting was as Ambassador for Regent University and to introduce myself to them. They asked many questions about my education and the doctoral program at regent. What I have learned is that the education system in Bogota is extremely interested in Entrepreneurship and they were interested in talking about how I could help them develop the countries very first Entrepreneurship center with them and the help of Regent University. After the meeting I was able to enjoy a wonderful cup of coffee with the dean.

The conference on Leading and managing small business was held at the Universidad del Bosque. In attendance were over 130 students and business leaders from around the country. The Dean of Education was impressed with my presentation and complimented me on the ability to take complex subjects and reduce them to simplistic manageable messages that didn’t overwhelm but actually informed the audience in practical and useful ways. I was most honored to know this feedback. I spent a total of 10 hours lecturing on the subject matter.

What I’ve discovered is that Colombians are hungry for information on leadership and entrepreneurship.  The people are beautiful and very welcoming. I feel like I am amongst family there and I miss them very much. One of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done is to step outside of the United States and to walk amongst the cultures of this planet. In Leadership studies we talk about the cultural context of leadership and cross-cultural context of communication. When you step into a culture different than your own, you live out the context of those studies.

There were times when I was surrounded by language somewhat foreign from my own. Granted, I grew up in South Florida and have been around theSpanish culture half my life. But, this is different when for 5 days, over 100 hours – you are immersed in a language that is not your own. There are many things I still have to learn about Colombia. I desire to go back and engage this beautiful country and the beautiful people. I wanted to get to know them and to see their wonderful country.

It is not until we eat at someone’s table, live within their culture and take the time to get to know them one-on-one that we can begin to understand them. Going to Colombia has been rewarding but also very humbling. The people there are hungry for knowledge and information. It was strange to have so much focus on oneself. They welcomed me with friendly arms and hosted me, translated for me and made me feel like family. My heart now longs for the friends I have back there. My eyes long for the beautiful mountains that surround nearly 9 million people. I see a return trip sometime in my future… and it will be a wonderful homecoming.

Regent Students Discover the Glory of God

By Dr. Peter Fraser

Our Literary trip to England has taken a few weeks to digest fully because we saw and did so much in our nine days abroad. From our initial witnessing of the Changing of the Guard in a London drizzle and subsequent tour of the grandeurs of Westminster Abbey to our final day’s tour of the Tower of London with all of its dark history, we were overwhelmed with rich experiences. The trip was designed to help students understand British literature and the Christian tradition, and it easily accomplished that goal. The journals the students kept were glowing.

For me the culminating experience took place in a bell tower at Christ Church Spitalfields, just down the street from our hotel, the Wynfrid House, and a few blocks off London’s notorious Brick Lane, an artists’ enclave with a street full of open shops and galleries and ethnic restaurants. A member of Christ Church Spitalfields, Alan Regin, had agreed to get together a group of ringers to illustrate for our group how change ringing is done. There isn’t much of this in the States because fewer than fifty churches have multiple bells in their towers. In England, there are many more.

Change ringing is the musical art of bell ringing in which groups of trained ringers pull their bell ropes in precise mathematical sequences sometimes for hours on end. Our ringers had recently done a three-hour change. The record for the church was over eleven hours. As one of the novels we were reading was Dorothy Sayers’ The Nine Tailors, which features a murder committed in a bell tower during a record-breaking ring, this tower exercise for us had a very immediate literary connection.

But the ring had a richer connection still. Imagine climbing a set of narrow stone steps into the belfry of an old church with stone walls and no hand railing to guide you. At the top you enter a room the size of a modest classroom with eight ropes dangling through openings in the wooden ceiling. There eight very ordinary, yet distinctively British ringers of all ages and backgrounds stand ready to pull the ropes at the direction of the lead ringer. Once they begin, the room swells with the melodies of the grand old bells ringing out the glory of God throughout that section of the city. The bells can be heard for miles. What an experience!

Regent’s mission to encourage global experiences took on life in that tower and all throughout our trip. There are some things in life like love and faith and English change ringing that you have to experience to appreciate.

Dr. Peter Fraser is an Associate Professor and the Chair of the Language and Literature Department at Regent University. Dr. Fraser is an author of several books. He was also the trip leader for the Literary Oxford Study Abroad trip. Are you interested in participating in a study abroad trip? Click here for upcoming trips and additional information.

Scripture and Ministry Amplified for Study Abroad Students

By Dr. Mark Wilson

In February-March, 2012, thirteen students, alumni, and friends toured with me in Israel and Jordan. The purpose of the trip was threefold: 1) to understand better the geography and history of the Holy Land; 2) to visit sites associated with key biblical persons such as David and Jesus, and 3) to learn about the contemporary situation in Israel and Jordan by meeting local people.

During our fourteen days we traveled by bus from the length of Israel from Beersheba to Dan. We participated in an archaeological dig at Tel Maresha, viewed the Canaanite gate at Ashkelon, and walked in the clefts of En Gedi where David hid from Saul. Along the way the students gave devotional presentations about various biblical sites.

Jerusalem was a joy and challenge: fascinating sites but blustery, wet weather. One day it rained, then a rainbow followed by snow and hail. To visit Bethlehem we passed through the high security wall that separates Israel from the Palestinian Authority. The Holocaust museum at Yad Vashem was a sobering time of recalling this horrific period. One evening Chris Mitchell, CBN’s correspondent, shared his experiences about living in the Middle East. On another Dead Sea Scroll expert Stephen Pfann spoke to the group.

The crossing to Jordan brought everyone face to face with life in a developing Arab country. Snow had earlier closed the road to Petra so our bus was fortunate to get in. Everyone enjoyed seeing Petra’s magnificent stone monuments, which were featured in an Indiana Jones movie. After days of bad coffee the group was thrilled to stop at the large, two-story Starbucks in Amman.

The final week was spent in the Galilee region where the weather improved greatly. Each day was filled with memories: a boat trip on the lake, a drive along the Golan Heights with overlook of Syria, an unplanned visit to the ancient synagogue at Bet Alpha, and a presentation by the president of the Arab Christian seminary in Nazareth. Through these shared experiences the group bonded in a Spirit-led way. The students kept a journal of their experiences, and it was enlightening to read their recollections. Evident in each was that the trip had been life-changing and would affect how they read Scripture and do ministry in the future. The next Divinity School trip will visit the biblical sites in Turkey and Cyprus so please plan to join us in 2013.

Dr. Mark Wilson is a Visiting Professor in the School of Divinity. He was the trip leader for the Israel and Jordan Study Abroad trip and is a Regent University graduate. Are you interested in participating in a study abroad trip? Click here for upcoming trips and additional information.

Overwhelming Gratitude in Panama

By Dr. Frieda Brinkmann 

Four undergraduate students (Elizabeth Butler, Samantha Pineiro, Victoria Thompson, and Jaquelyn Alvizures), their Resident Assistant, graduate student of Divinity, Yaitza Monge, and, I, traveled to Panama City from May 8 through May 15, 2012.  Our short-term mission trip was organized through Christ for the City International.  This experience gave students the chance to practice their language skills while serving abroad in the Spanish-speaking world. 

We assisted the ministries of Templo Zuriel El Refugio Church in the San Miguelito Community outside of Panama City.  We ran an after school program for children and helped church members deliver meals and minister to the homeless.  We were privileged to participate in several worship services and an evangelistic film night at the church as well.  Students were able to experience first- hand what life and living conditions are like for many in Latin America.  They were immersed in the language, as well as the local culture, as no one spoke English in our host families. 

The disparity between the modern areas of Panama City and the living conditions of the people of San Miguelito are shocking.  However, the simple and uncomfortable conditions we lived in were quickly overshadowed by the kindness and generosity of our host families.  I believe they ministered to us as much as we did to them, possibly even more. 

Our time in Panama also included additional learning opportunities, such as a visit to the Miraflores Locks and the Canal museum, and a boat trip down the Chagres River to visit a village of the Emberá indigenous people.  After this experience, it is hard not be overwhelmed with gratitude for everything we have that we take for granted and humbled at how “our families,” who seemed to have so little, had so much to give. 

Our experience in Panama exceeded my expectations in its contribution to meeting the goals of the Spanish Residential Language Community Program (Enhanced language competence; enhanced global competence; and a strengthened Christian worldview).  It is a desired outcome of the program that students travel to a destination in the Spanish-speaking world to immerse themselves in the language and culture, as well as to give service.

Dr. Frieda Brinkmann is an Associate Professor of Language and Literature at Regent University. She is also the Director of Regent’s Spanish Residential Language Community. Dr. Brinkmann was the trip leader for the Study Abroad trip to Panama. Are you interested in participating in a study abroad trip? Click here for upcoming trips and additional information.

Trauma Team Returns from Kenyan Trip

By Rachel Judy

August 16, 2012

Halfway through a two-week trip to Kenya, Regent University's Trauma Team prepared for a women's conference at a church outside of Nairobi. They were expecting around 100 local women to come for a day of discussing domestic violence. As the conference got underway, more and more women kept coming. In all, 400 Kenyan women showed up that day to learn about issues surrounding domestic violence, as well as dialogue about their own experiences.

Idalia Voigt '11 (Psychology & Counseling).
Photo courtesy of Center for Trauma Studies.



"These women [were] so isolated and alone," said Libby Cutshall, a student in the community counseling graduate program. "The highlight of that moment was when a middle-aged woman came to me and stated, 'You see me, you really see me. Thank you for letting me know I'm not alone.'"

This conference was just one in a series of training events the Trauma Team conducted while in Kenya in July.

Under the supervision of Dr. Benjamin Keyes, director of Regent's Center for Trauma Studies, the team of 22 students, faculty and alumni—all associated with the School of Psychology & Counseling—provided crisis and group counseling and offered training workshops for local mental health professionals, pastors, school children and families in the region.

Much of their trip was arranged in partnership with an orphanage called Into Abba's Arms.

The week prior to their training conferences, the team spent several days working in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp. Formed after internal uprisings in Kenya in 2005, the two-acre camp houses between 1500 and 2000 adults and children. Because of the poverty and close quarters, illness, neglect and sexual trauma are rampant there.

"Nearly all of the children had runny noses from colds, half of them showed signs of poor nutrition and only some of them had shoes," recalled Erik Lohmann, a student in Regent's doctoral in clinical psychology (Psy.D.) program. "It was a place where one had to really step back and assess what they believe about the world and about God."

"Nothing prepares you for the IDP camp," Keyes said. "It's just a sea of people in a very small space."

For some of the students on the trip, this was their first international experience both personally and professionally. "It was good, solid hands on experience for our students to work with families and individuals who have been affected by a severe trauma," Keyes explained. "They're scared going into it. Usually within the first couple of hours, they adjust to the interpreter. They realize they're just talking to other people in other parts of the world and they make the transition. And, they happily discover that not only can they do this, but they can successfully do this."

For Cutshall, the trip was an opportunity to combine service with professional practice. "Education at Regent focuses on being leaders, big or small, in church, in the community, at work, in the United States or abroad. Slowly, but surely, we are inundated with skills that allow us to take a stand, go out into the world and lead as the Lord would have us," she said. "In conjunction with my own life experiences and the advanced trauma trainings at Regent, I felt prepared to identify trauma and grief, assess symptoms of PTSD, offer coping skills, deal with compassion fatigue and offer psycho-educational knowledge to people who otherwise had none, all the while surrounded by an amazing team willing and able to offer an ear when needed."

Lohmann agreed. "As a Psy.D. student, I wanted to find a way to gain experience in the field of psychology and in trauma psychology, but at the same time wanted to continue finding ways to serve others," he said. "I decided to go on this trip when I realized that going would help me accomplish both of those goals."
Learn more about the Center for Trauma Studies.

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

Students, Professor Train Therapists in Haiti

By Rachel Judy

August 8, 2012

Thanks to a substantial grant from the Equitas Foundation, Regent University's Child Trauma Institute is undertaking a therapy and research project with Restavek children in the Port-au-Prince area of Haiti.
From July 22-27, Dr. Donald Walker, director of the Child Trauma Institute, led a team of three students to Haiti to train local Haitian therapists who work with children who have been rescued from trafficking. They worked closely with colleagues from Wheaton College and University of Notre Dame, Haiti.

The students accompanying Walker were second-year Psy.D. students Katlin Knodel and Katherine Partridge and first-year master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling student Candace Wheeler.

In the impoverished nation of Haiti, there is a cultural practice of sending poor children from the countryside to live with families in the city. The idea is that the child will help around the house in exchange for food, shelter and education. What really happens, though, is that these children, called "Restavek" children (a Creole term that means "stay with"), face enormous workloads, isolation and frequent abuse.

"The experience has allowed me to learn how consultation works, learn a new therapy technique, and network with other psychologists and organizations with similar goals to my own," explained Knodel. "I feel that both the Haitian individuals we are working with, as well as our research team, are gaining valuable knowledge that will make a difference in the lives of many children."

The Child Trauma Institute—housed in the School of Psychology & Counseling—aims to serve as a leading voice in research, training and practice to understand the role of religious and spiritual faith in the prevention of and recovery from various forms of childhood trauma, particularly child abuse. The institute is believed to be the first and only research center in the country dedicated to studying the dynamics involved in child abuse from what the institute calls "a spiritually integrative psychological perspective."

"It was great to be able to talk with others (the board members and other organization leaders) about my experience as a student and seeing ways where, in the future, I can use my training to be able to help these people," said Partridge. "We were also able to see ways that we, as students, would be able to help now.

"Being a student in a program like Regent s really helps develop the mindset that the education experience is not just about the individual learner but, more importantly, about the people that can be helped because of the research and work that you will do with your degree."

This trip, added Walker, as well as continued work under the grant, has a purpose higher than academia.

"Our trip to Port-au-Prince will not solve the world's problems, or even this entire problem," he said. "I pray that [Kaitlin, Katherine and Candace] remember what they saw and learned this week and carry it with them into their work with their own trainees in the future. For at least this week, we will not be silent."

Learn more about Regent's School of Psychology & Counseling.

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

Student's Language Study Confirms Career Plans

By Rachel Judy

August 7, 2012

During her second week in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Katherine Nace was given the rare opportunity to explore the building that houses the Latin American country's Supreme Court. For the aspiring attorney and current Regent University School of Undergraduate Studies student, this was the opportunity of a lifetime.



Katherine Nace stands in the
Pallacio Judicial (The Supreme Court).



Beginning in July, Nace spent five weeks in Buenos Aires studying with Español y Cultura en LatinoAmerica (ECELA), a Spanish language program that places students in a number of Latin American countries, including Argentina.

"I was not only benefitting intellectually and socially, but my perspective was widened," Nace said. "Never in my life have I conversed with so many people that all possess radically different perspectives."

In the mornings, Nace took Spanish grammar and conversation courses, some focusing specifically on learning legal terminology and increasing fluency. In the afternoons, she divided her time between lectures at the university and exploring the city.

Nace has always had an interest in human rights issues and her experience in Buenos Aires only served to solidify her desire to make that her career.

"I attended a lecture about the human rights violations during the dictatorship [a period of political and social turmoil in Argentina from 1976-81], with a focus on the people who were imprisoned or who simply disappeared," she recalled. "Then, the next day, I visited the naval school (Escuela de Mecánica de la Armada) that was used as a clandestine detention center during the dictatorship.

"Listening to the guide talk about all the horrible things that were done to people because of their political views really made the facts that I had learned about the dictatorship come to life. I connected personal stories to facts, which made the detention center even more horrible. For me, it was a rather soul-wrenching experience."

ECELA approached Nace about participating in their program because of her affiliation with Phi Alpha Delta International, Regent's pre-law fraternity. Nace is a former president of the organization.

"The more I talked to people from all over the world, the more I realized just how blessed we are in the United States," she said. "The world can be a cruel and harsh place, even if it claims to protect human rights. Therefore, this experience has exponentially increased my desire to work with private organizations within Latin America that strive to give a voice to the voiceless and protect those that have become victims of violence and political oppression. Something has to be done."

Learn more about undergraduate degrees at Regent.

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

International Youth Leadership Institute Instills Vital Principles



International Youth Leadership Institute
students (L-R) Nathanya Zyl,
Brandon Walker and Kareena Ali.



 

By Amanda Morad

August 3, 2012

For many people, summers come and go as a time to relax. But the three students selected for Regent University's International Youth Leadership Institute this July did everything but relax.
The summer program, sponsored by Regent's Professional & Continuing Education (PCE), provided an introduction to leadership principles for young adults in high school or preparing for college.

Over the nine-day course, students Brandon Walker (USA), Kareena Ali (Iraq) and Nathanya Zyl (South Africa) convened on Regent's campus for classes and lectures, field trips, activities, and networking opportunities.

"It was as if leadership was redefined for me through this course," said Zyl, a 25-year-old boutique hotel owner from Pretoria, South Africa. "Leadership is not just having influence on others but leaving footprints worthy of walking in."

Zyl came to the program on the recommendation of John Jones '10 (Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship), PCE's program manager on the ground in South Africa. With a passion for women in leadership and a vision for her motherland, Zyl knew the Youth Leadership Institute would be a big step forward in her journey. "In South Africa, there's a big need for strong leadership," she said. "The biggest lesson I've learned here is how to be a productive, strong leader."

Ali's story is different, but the result has been the same: invaluable lessons in servant leadership from a Christian perspective. Coming to Regent from Iraqi Kurdistan, 18-year-old Ali experienced a bit of culture shock when she arrived in the United States and was introduced to the concept of servant leadership.

"The leaders I have met here are not like the leaders at home," she says. "The things they're teaching us are so important. Leadership is something I need in my home and my country, and I have learned how to be a great leader."

A Regent student and friend of Ali's told her about the Youth Leadership Institute on a trip to Iraq. In response to her desire to become a leader in her community, Ali knew she had to come.

"We always wait for God to tell us what to do, but He wants us to move," she encouraged. "Don't wait. He wants us to choose to serve Him."

Ali, Zyl and Walker enjoyed trips to Colonial Williamsburg, local museums and cultural points of interest during the Institute. Most importantly, they also had the opportunity to connect with renowned Regent faculty members from the School of Global Leadership & Entrepreneurship and the School of Undergraduate Studies (RSU).

"Leadership is a people process—how to inspire people, how to motivate people, how to guide people," said Dr. Michael Hartsfield, assistant professor in RSU, in his class on emotional intelligence. "One of the worst things a leader can do is to say one thing and live something completely different .... Behavior is all followers see."

Hartsfield's class was one of six intensives the students attended throughout the course.

Learn more about PCE's programs.

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

Legal Intern Impacts Advances in Trafficking Awareness in Japan



Rebekah Kaylor in front of the Imperial Palace.



By Rachel Judy

August 1, 2012

Third-year Regent University law student Rebekah Kaylor grew up in Japan as the daughter of missionaries. But, when she started her degree at Regent Law, she never dreamed her studies would take her back to the country she'd grown to love.
Sponsored by the Center for Global Justice, Human Rights & the Rule of Law, Kaylor is one of a group of 22 interns working on issues of human trafficking and justice both in the United States and abroad.

Kaylor's summer internship was with Operation Blessing International (OBI) in Japan. Her task: researching ways the non-profit organization can help fight violence against women, including sex trafficking and domestic violence in Japan.

"Even though Japan is one of the largest destination countries in Asia for trafficking victims, awareness of trafficking is very low," Kaylor explained. "Many times, there is either an outright denial of its existence or a complete misunderstanding of what it is."

One of the major reasons Kaylor decided to go to law school was because she wanted to fight violence against women. When the opportunity to complete an internship under the umbrella of the Center for Global Justice arose, she knew the right doors were opening.

"I was overwhelmed that God opened the doors for me to be able to go to Japan, a country I love, and work as an intern in the field I am passionate about," she said.

Kaylor knows that her first two years at Regent Law prepared her for this internship.

"In law school you are taught to identify the rule and then to analyze by applying the facts to the rule to come to a conclusion," Kaylor said. "I would go into an interview with the definition of trafficking and, as I talked with the interviewee and elicited facts, I realized as I applied the facts to the rule that, even though the interviewee was insisting that they had not worked with trafficking victims, they actually had. I was able to use this to demonstrate that problems such as human trafficking are a lot more widespread then statistics show."

As she enters her final year of law school, Kaylor has a new perspective on her future as an attorney and advocate for women's rights.

"The greatest way my career plans have been impacted is simply understanding that God is the One who opens the door," she said. "Yes, it is our responsibility to knock on doors, send out applications, network, etc. Ultimately, though, God is the One who opens the right door at the right time, and we need to have a responsive heart in order to walk through."

Read more about the summer adventures of the Center for Global Justice interns.

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