President's Update, Part 2
In this message, President Jeffrey P. Greenman and some faculty, staff, and student friends share stories and updates about life at Regent College. Want to help make stories like these possible in the coming year and beyond? Regent relies on donations for over 30 percent of its budget. Consider making a gift to support Regent's mission.
For a video update on Regent's finances, future plans, and more, see President's Update, Part 1.
“How is Regent? Really . . . how
is Regent?”
I hear that question often, and for good reason. In February 2015, Regent had to make some significant budget cuts that, while necessary, were incredibly difficult. It was a painful time, and I know many people want to know how we're doing now.
Regent is doing well. I mean that. By God's grace, Regent is in a far better position today than it was two years ago. And, as I'm reminded by the stories below, God is doing good things.
Gustavo Santos, Current Student (MA, Marketplace Theology)
"I came to Regent because I was
trying to answer a question: what does my faith have to do with my work? I know
lots of Christians back home in Brazil have the same question. For a long time
I was looking for connections in Brazil who could help me with this, but I
couldn’t find any. Now I have become the person I wanted to find a few years
ago—God has a very good sense of humour! My question today is this: how can I
help the Brazilian church bring the depth of the gospel into the conversation
between Sunday and we preach on Sunday into the other six days? My
time at Regent is equipping me to do this." Read more from Gustavo.
Iwan Russell-Jones, Faculty (Theology and the Arts)
"I’ve always had a very
ambivalent relationship with theological education. I believe in theology; I
believe it’s really important. But I can’t stand the ivory tower. I can’t
stand the idea of theology as just some hobby that theologians talk about with
one another. I’ve seen a lot of that in universities. However, I fully believe
in ideas, in the mind, in engagement with the world in all its complexity.
Theology that really seeks to engage with life is critical. It’s got to be
lived—it’s got to be theology for life. Regent is a place that values that.
It’s about empowering people, sending them out in the power of the gospel to
live and work to God’s praise and glory. That’s why I came here. As long as
there’s a church, there’s always going to be a need for a place like Regent." Read more from Iwan.
Karen Boldt, Director of Finance
"I
have the daily privilege of leading and partnering with a great team of people
in stewarding Regent’s finances. I also have the even greater privilege of
bearing witness to countless signs of God’s faithfulness. Together, we can give
thanks that Regent’s overall financial position is stabilizing. We are
fulfilling the Board of Governors’ mandate to have a balanced operating budget.
We continue to see a reduction in our overall operating debt, and we are
reporting surpluses in our unrestricted funds. We’re moving forward with
greater confidence as we seek to attain long-term financial sustainability for
Regent. I am very thankful for God’s continued provision, and to all the
friends of the College who are partnering with us."
Claire Perini, Assistant Dean of Students
"Every year at the Leaving Regent
Retreat, I love hearing about what Regent has meant to graduating students from
all different backgrounds and life stages. One 2017 grad called Regent a
nursery for his faith. Another called Regent a place where she wrestled with
God. I think they’re both onto something: Regent is a safe, nurturing place to
struggle! That’s what makes studying here such a pivotal, transformative point
in people’s lives, and that’s why so many students describe it as a gift."
Regent’s mission isn’t
easy—that’s we rely on the generous support of donors around the world. But the
mission is important and worthwhile.
Now more than ever, the church needs theology for life. The world needs
thoughtful, faithful Christians who engage with culture, seek complex truths
over easy answers, and fully commit to participating in God’s creative and redemptive
work. As Iwan put it, "As long as there's a church, there's always going
to be a need for a place like Regent."
To learn more about supporting Regent, or to make a donation, visit our giving page.