By Ellie Keith   
Psychology Major

Regent recently unveiled their global initiative, RU Global, in an effort to further expand the mission of the church and grow into the responsibilities entrusted to us by Jesus Himself: "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation" Mark 16:15 (NIV).
 
My experiences here, even as a distance education student, have been life changing. Contemporary Problems for Christian Leaders (GENE 101) challenged me to think in Kingdom and Global terms. From that first class, I was challenged to apply biblical principles to real world circumstances. Some scenarios seemed a bit extreme (anyone remember the Parable of the Sadhu?), and yet I knew they were important. Every class, every professor, every paper, every communication frustration, and every Blackboard lockout pushes us to weigh, challenge, and absorb principles.
 
Regent doesn't give us a set of rules to follow, or a handbook on how to be a Godly influencer. Instead, we are given the tools to interpret and apply biblical principles to every aspect of life. We are taught to think critically and to challenge critical thinking. We are given the confidence to experience life fully as ambassadors of Christ in a world whose borders are diminishing by the minute. Regent gives us an education backed by Kingdom values that are strong enough to withstand the deceptions perpetrated in a world that doesn't know Jesus.
 
As graduation approaches, I've asked myself, "What does Regent mean to me?" According to Merriam-Webster.com, one definition of a regent is "a person who governs a kingdom in the minority, absence, or disability of the sovereign." Regent equips us to be global, to be regents preparing for the return of our King.