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ive of Judy Orcutt’s seven children have been—or currently are— Regent University students. “It is an excellent school that has the students’ best interest at heart,” she says. Now co-chair of Regent’s Parents Association, Orcutt says being a part of the organization allows her to “give back, serve and support Regent even more.” Regent is unique in its commitment to fostering family ties that go well beyond graduation. Because of its excellent academics, Biblical values and commitment to personal transformation, Regent—for many—has become part of a family tradition. And the outcome is a robust legacy of Christian leadership across generations. For Orcutt and many other parents, Regent is an extension of the training provided at home. Involvement in the Parents Association is one way these parents make the school a central part of their family life. It is a win-win effort that
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links parents to student life and the vision of Regent and Regent to the heart and input of families and friends. “Regent feels like a family to me,” says Orcutt, who has a daughter and twin sons currently enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences. “I love how they reinforce not only the academics, which are excellent, but also the spiritual walk of the students. As a result of attending Regent, my children have gone to a whole new level with the Lord.” As parents engage more intentionally in the Regent experience through the parents’ organization, they offer valuable views to strengthen the university. The
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committee also raises and distributes funds to worthy student-sponsored projects and student-led initiatives. Parent involvement in these kinds of focused projects helps the university maximize every student’s oncampus experience.
This spring the Parents Association sponsored student participation in the Regent spring break mission trip to inner-city Richmond, Va. Interested students completed an application, and three received a 50-percent scholarship for the trip.
Yulia Bocharova, who serves as the Parents Association coordinator, says the group participates in quarterly conference calls, and members also meet on campus for events throughout the year. The most important gatherings include the annual Parents’ Weekend and Move-In Day.
“I was honored to receive a scholarship,” says Chelsea Adams. “Throughout the mission trip I was able to learn so much about missions, racial reconciliation, and what it truly means to be a neighbor. This trip has inspired me to begin volunteering in my own community, and it has helped me to realize that God calls us to be neighbors to those around us, not just passing strangers.”
Executive Director of Student Services Carolyn Hughes agrees: “When the Parents Association assists at events like Parents’ Weekend and Orientation, the connections they make with other families are extremely valuable, especially for the parents of new students. They connect with one another in a way that is unique from how university administrators and faculty connect with
Rachel Ellington, who also received a scholarship, found that her connection with one little girl taught her bigger lessons about God’s love: “This precious little girl latched onto me during gym time. She reminded me of the unconditional love that Jesus has for me and everyone. Through loving her, I
This is a tangible way for them to support their children while they are students—and support the mission of Regent University. them. They are going through similar experiences and can provide invaluable peer support.” As a co-chair of the association, Lisa O’Dell sends regular updates to other parents. “I try to connect parents to the school by telling them what is happening on campus, or sending them the link to Regent C.A.R.E.S support (a student-focused support and information center),” she shares. When she gets calls from parents across the country asking for input on specific areas of Regent, O’Dell says she “can refer them to Regent team members with confidence that they will get the right information.” She and her team also value the opportunity they have to ask questions during conference calls with the executive vice president, a representative from Student Services, and other key staff members. “This is a great way to get parents’ perspectives about current and upcoming initiatives that will affect their students,” explains Hughes. “It really helps inform our decisions. Parents are also encouraged to share general concerns and praise so that we can respond to needs effectively,” says Hughes. “Having this regular contact with parents is an extra measure to ensure effective communication and well-rounded review of our efforts.”
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saw the Father’s love more clearly. We were able to see the poverty of the city and had the opportunity to do something about it. I encountered God in a new way, and it was life-changing.” Bocharova says parents sometimes think that, because they don’t live near the campus, they can’t readily support their students’ university. “But we try to make it easy and welcoming,” she shares. “The chair of the association lives in Connecticut, and she’s very involved. So parents don’t have to live in Virginia to participate.” Bocharova invites additional parents to come alongside the current association members to help carry the torch of support and leadership. “This is a tangible way to support our students and the mission of Regent University,” Bocharova says. “And it helps solidify Regent’s investment in generational influence that will change the world.” Learn how you can become a member of the Regent Parents Association by emailing: parents@regent.edu Find other resources for parents and families: regent.edu/parents Learn about Regent C.A.R.E.S. (Communication and Response for Every Student) and watch video: regent.edu/regentcares
REGENT UNIVERSITY
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Regent University students have shared the gospel coast to coast through missions trips to Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C. This year, with the help of Regent’s Parents Association, a team served in Regent’s own backyard through a partnership with Church Hill Activities and Tutoring (CHAT), a vibrant outreach to at-risk youth in the inner city. The group offers tutoring, entrepreneurship opportunities and basic education. Missions Coordinator for Regent Campus Ministries Jordan Crouthamel says Regent also partnered with nearby elementary schools, after navigating a glitch in weather that resulted in seven inches of snow and schools being closed as the outreach began. The team was challenged to think and work in ways that stretched their resourcefulness and their faith. “We were bummed when it looked like we weren’t going to be able to serve,” Crouthamel remembers. “But the CHAT director invited elementary students to meet us at a community center, and nearly 50 young people arrived. We jammed the center to capacity.” A highlight for College of Arts & Sciences student Emily Kooiman was talking with a second-grade boy during the outreach: “I told him how Jesus wants to have a friendship with him where he can talk to God whenever he wants. He asked, ‘How can I talk to someone that I can’t see?’ I told him, ‘Jesus is like the wind. You can’t
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see Him, but you know He is there.’ The moment I told him how much Jesus loves him, he gave me a huge hug. I know that the Father was pouring His love into His little son at that moment.” From painting projects, to tearing up carpets, to preparing the soil in a community garden, the team served local organizations throughout an impoverished part of the city. On “Wacky Wednesday,” the CHAT youth chose electives such as cooking, sewing, basketball and dancing. Half of the Regent students helped in these events, while the rest of the team went to the Salvation Army to tutor younger children. “As Christians and emissaries for God, we won’t always have those jobs with the most immediate, evident pay-off,” says Ryan Smith, who spent a grueling day digging up an overgrown community garden during the trip. “Sometimes He calls us to soften hearts; to help remove old hurts and fragments of broken lives so that someday, someone else can plant. But it’s the ministry of God’s love all the same. Plus, who doesn’t like playing in the mud every now and then?” Watch a video from the Regent Spring Break Mission Trip: regent.edu/springbreak2014 Learn more about Regent Campus Ministries: regent.edu/campusministries
REGENT UNIVERSITY
For the Levys of Kingston, Jamaica, Regent is more than just a university—it’s a part of the family! Robert Levy is chairman of Jamaica Broilers Group (JBG), a thriving collection of companies providing superior poultry, beef, fish and energy resources throughout the Caribbean and beyond. A remarkable 1 million chicks are hatched every week at JBG’s hatchery, raised to maturity by local contract farmers, and processed at a rate of 100,000 chickens per day. The company also owns the Caribbean’s most advanced ethanol refinery with a capacity of 120 million gallons per year. Jamaica Broilers has expanded its U.S.-based operation to become one of the largest exporters of fertile hatching eggs, with operations in North and South Georgia and in Arkansas. But Robert is also a member of Regent University’s board of trustees and the head of a vibrant family legacy that includes a rich partnership with Regent. In fact, two of Robert’s sons and another relative, along with company executives, are Regent graduates. As a boy, Robert never displayed much discipline, and he left high school in ninth grade. But after receiving Christ as his Savior, Robert attended Harvard University’s Owner/ President Management program and saw the value of a world-class business education. Today, education is a top priority for the Levy family. Having missed out on much of his own education, Robert made sure each of his children received the best possible university experience. For him and sons Christopher and Steven, that excellent educational experience was found at Regent University. In fact, Regent has become part of a Levy family tradition, partnering to build a legacy of Christian leadership that spans the generations. “Our culture revolves around the principles of living the Bible,” says Christopher Levy, who graduated in 1994 from the School of Business & Leadership. “We see ourselves as having a responsibility for employees, customers and suppliers to see Christ in us.”
In 2009, Chris took over as president and CEO of JBG. “There’s awesome responsibility and privilege sitting in that chair,” he says. “You have a far reach, authority and a lot of resources. If it was not ground in me that it’s all to God’s glory, we wouldn’t be where we are.” “We make a big deal of sticking to our word,” says Stephen Levy, who graduated from the School of Business & Leadership in 2011. “I don’t think we’re known as the most aggressive company or the company with the most hip trends in Jamaica, but what everybody does know is that our word is our bond.” After graduation, Stephen joined the JBG subsidiary Wincorp International to apply the lessons learned at Regent to expand the JBG reach into the United States, Latin America and beyond. “Regent has taught the principles that can make new business ideas not as daunting,” he says. “It has definitely broadened my perspective about what Jamaica Broilers is capable of. I honestly believe that if we’re willing to have faith in the Lord and step out, it will become bigger than any of us can imagine.”
Learn more about the Regent School of Business & Leadership: regent.edu/sbl More from Jamaica Broilers Group: jamaicabroilersgroup.com
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May 21, 2014 The Arnold Palmer Signature at West Neck Virginia Beach, Virginia
Call: 888.372.1006 email: events@regent.edu regent.edu/golfclassic
Register Today!
Proceeds Benefit Regent’s New Biophysical Sciences Program
Regent World Changer
Randall Bach
President, Open Bible Association of Churches Randall Bach ’08 (Business & Leadership) has served Open Bible Churches since his mid-20s, and in that time he has learned that faithfulness is the most important attribute of a minister. “It is a continually confirmed revelation that character always trumps charismata,” he says. “I have seen many shooting stars of charisma with incredible gifts and talents flame out and crash. I esteem the stalwarts of character who faithfully stay the course with lives that are a testimony to Christ.” Open Bible Churches first invited Bach to serve as director of Christian education and youth. That responsibility morphed over the years into responsibilities as a regional director for the eastern United States. “I had the opportunity to help churches through pastoral and other transitions, conflict resolution and other arenas of church life,” he explains. In 2011, the ministers and church delegates elected Bach to serve as president of the Open Bible Association of Churches. “I delight in everyday service,” Bach shares. “I am blessed to collaborate with our regional and global directors to pursue mission and vision in the most fruitful ways possible.” Please pray for Randall Bach—and all of the Regent graduates who are leading churches and ministries around the world.
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REGENT UNIVERSITY
A Message From the Chancellor Dear Friends, On one memorable occasion, my mother had a vision from the Lord concerning the founding of CBN. I had been struggling to secure the finances to launch this television ministry and had reached a point of crisis. I considered quitting before the first broadcast had aired. I told God that if He had not supplied the money needed by a certain Wednesday, I would be forced to sell everything. On the Sunday before that Wednesday, unaware of the impending deadline, my mother was in the midst of her usual intercession when she saw a vision of me kneeling with my arms outstretched toward heaven. As I prayed, a packet of large bank notes floated down into my hands. As events unfolded, even Mother was amazed at the prophetic nature of her vision. On the Tuesday night before I was to quit, a friend from New York arrived in our home, saying he had brought something from the Lord. He gave me a check for $8,000—enough to pay the bills to get CBN started. It was a miracle. But equally miraculous was the way in which the Lord had revealed His intentions to my faithful, praying mother. I am often reminded of my dear mother when I meet parents who have sent their children to Regent. Like her, many of you understand the importance of calling forth God’s mighty plans for those coming behind us. Psalm 145:4 says, “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.”
SUPPORT SCIENCE & FAITH Construction of our new Applied Science and Ethics Lab is estimated to cost $1.5M. Your gift can help us reach our goal. To make your donation, visit regent.edu/give, and enter “Applied Science Lab” in the special instructions section. You can also use the enclosed postage-paid envelope. Simply make your check payable to “Regent University” and write “Applied Science Lab” in the memo section. Thank you for your support.
Whether you are the parent of a current or future Regent student, a valued alumnus, or perhaps both, I encourage you to prayerfully consider how you can support Regent in multiplying our kingdom reach for the generations. Thank you for your faithfulness to God. May He richly bless you. In Christ,
Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson Founder, Chancellor & CEO Regent University
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