Regent University Holds its Fifth Annual QEP Global Roundtable

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