Supporting Regent College

Who Are We

In the 1960s, a group of men and women in Vancouver, Canada had a dream. They envisioned a graduate school of theology that took seriously the education of the laity—the whole people of God. And for over thirty years, their dream has been fulfilled in the lives of the graduates of Regent College. Regent College is recognized as one of the leading accredited graduate schools of theology in the world and continues to set a unique standard for theological education. Known particularly for its outstanding faculty, it attracts men and women from around the world—in any year, between 30 and 40 different countries and between 70 and 80 denominations or independent church groups are represented in the student body. Many of these people come from leadership positions in industry, government, the professions and ministry in their own communities. Our vision for the new millennium, as it has been for over three decades is to foster a faith that makes a difference in the world, that shapes behaviours, and then empowers others to serve God.

Why Regent?

What is unique about this place, Regent College? And, what does creating this space on the campus of the University of British Columbia provide to further the Kingdom? The best answer to these questions is found in the stories of the men and women whom God calls into this community. It is through their lives, and in what they experience here that the mission of the College is fulfilled.

Here are just a few of the stories from students who have been a part of the Regent community over the past year:

Kevin Duffy ThM
New York

Being at Regent has been both an exhilarating and a traumatic experience. I came to learn, unlearn and re-learn many things before I could continue in ministry. Regent forced me to examine what I once easily — perhaps glibly — believed. The faculty pose questions that force open our minds to think differently about important issues. I have had to examine almost every assumption upon which my life, marriage, family, faith and ministry was build. I had to die to my own conceptions of God and ministry. But, Regent is not just a place of deconstruction, but of reconstruction and renewal as well. Whatever comes in the future, we are content to trust God to make it happen. And, we think that now we can share our faith in him with others with greater accuracy, understanding and love. Pictured: Kevin Duffy and his wife Margaret with Stephen, Meredith and John.

Edward Yang ThM
California/South Korea

While completing an MA in Theology, I wondered what I should do next. I felt God was calling me to teaching in a university setting which meant I needed more schooling. But, I did not see myself studying just theology. I wanted to study how theology interacts with other aspects of human life. I chose to study theology and the visual arts (I began my undergraduate as a studio art major). Regent College was the only school I could find that had a strong biblical/theological foundation that was serious about the arts. I am presently completing the ThM in Christianity and the Arts concentration and will finish in April 2004. I feel that my time at Regent College has been a tremendous experience of learning, growing and being equipped to that which God has called me.

Margaret Trim MCS
Saskatchewan

The plan was to come to Regent College for a year of faith formation. The first year was filled with amazing discoveries as I studied and lived daily in a place filled with the exploration of God and his Kingdom in the world and in our lives. Now, in my final year, after two extra years, I know that God has kept me here so that he could bring transformation to my whole heart, mind and body. He has offered me the space, time and people to help bring me out of my darkness and move me fully into his light. I am considering a Masters in Counselling as, having now experienced God’s healing in my life I wait, with anticipation, as to how he will call me to be a “wounded healer” for others.

Tony Tremblett MCS
Newfoundland

Coming to Regent fulfilled a long-standing desire to explore the intersection of vocation, work and ministry. I’ve been able to do exactly that through the Marketplace Ministries concentration. In this, I’ve been deeply influenced by the teaching and mentoring of Paul Stevens and others on faculty. This time at Regent is giving me the tools to play my unique role in equipping the whole people of God, wherever God calls me next. As I near graduation, I’ve come to appreciate Regent’s proximity to, and association with, the University of BC. It has allowed fabulous access to UBC’s facilities and boundless opportunities to interact with peers studying in a secular context. I’ve also come to appreciate the College’s physical space — not large, but for me it has been an urban refuge in which to study and work on spiritual and intellectual integration in all areas of my life.

Gareth and Michelle McFadden
MDiv & MCS
Republic of Ireland

We’ve come from well-established professional careers in the Republic of Ireland (Michelle a legal consultant and Gareth an engineer).We came to Regent to gain an education that was culturally diverse and still relevant to our context in Ireland. One of the surprising things about our time at Regent has been the number of lessons we have learned outside the classroom. With such a diverse range of students and staff, there is a genuine opportunity to learn from different people’s experiences and their approach to life. We finish this spring (2004) and will return to Ireland where Gareth will be involved in pastoral ministry in the Irish Presbyterian Church and Michelle may consider further studies to build on the interdisciplinary studies from Regent. No matter what the future brings, Regent College, both in the classroom and outside, has shaped us and will continue to shape what we do in the future.