Winter 2023 IMPACT – Hope for a Hurting World

SUMMER 2022 A PUBLICATION OF REGENT UNIVERSITY WINTER 2023

PART N E R I N G TO C H AN G E T H E W O R L D FO R G O D ’ S G LO RY

Hope for a Hurting World

INSIDE: STORIES OF YOUR GLOBAL IMPACT

YOUR GENEROSITY IS CHANGING LIVES

“

Through the faculty, friends, mentors and opportunities here at Regent, I have become more sharpened in my faith, education and skills. I praise God for what he has done in my life at Regent University.

Elijah Prakash (CAS ’23)

”

LEADERS FOR HIS GLORY Your generosity is forging servant-leaders who will change the world.

After graduating from high school, Sean Connor (LAW ’23) accepted an offer to attend a small, secular university where he hoped to follow his dream of continuing his all-state football career.

But it didn’t take long for Sean to realize the school’s environment would never allow him to excel. With no biblical foundation, it also meant the school couldn’t prepare him to become the Christian leader he wanted to be.

“Recognizing that I really wanted to learn from a Judeo-Christian perspective was the turning point,” Sean says. “Regent University has taught me the importance of excellence, integrity and commitment to Christian principles in an increasingly secular world.”

Within days of leaving that university, Sean applied, was accepted and began attending classes at Regent. Thanks to donors like you, he received a scholarship, and, as the son of a Regent alumnus, a Legacy Grant.

Your generosity empowered Sean to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 2022. That same year, he began his professional career by working for Regent as a student advisor and financial-aid counselor.

Also in 2022, Sean married Alexis, his high-school sweetheart. She too is a Regent student (CAS ’25), studying to receive her associate degree in business.

“I want to thank the donors who make my Regent education possible,” Alexis explains. “You’re helping me grow spiritually and academically as I prepare to serve God and His people as an entrepreneur.”

As a full-time employee, Sean has continued his studies and is on track to receive a Master of Arts in Financial Planning and Law in May 2024.

“Through your generosity,” he insists, “I’m now fully equipped to become an effective Christian leader, husband and believer who will bring God glory in everything I do.”

Emotional Well-Being for a Powerful Life

Your support helped a Regent alumna shed new light on the role of emotions in healing mind, body and soul.

As a graduate student, Dr. Anita Phillips (SPC ’08) took a neuroscience class as part of her studies at Regent University when she received a revelation from God.

Sower, Jesus explains that the soil is the heart. And so the plant, which is our mind, is rooted in the soil of our hearts, which is where our emotional space is.”

“I saw a neuron, which is a nerve cell. It’s the building block of our thoughts, and it looked like a seedling. I was so struck by that,” she remembers. “I just went diving into scriptures about how we are like trees planted by rivers of water, and he’ll make us a water garden.”

Thanks to support from friends like you, Dr. Phillips received a scholarship to attend Regent, which provided her with the training she needed to help countless people around the world.

While growing up as a pastor’s kid and pastor’s grandkid, Dr. Phillips watched an older sister suffer with serious mental illness: “At the time, we didn’t understand it, but it was in my heart to find an answer.”

Through her studies at Regent, the bestselling author and licensed trauma counselor seeks to help people who find themselves at war with their emotions. Dr. Phillips insists this “enemy” has been misunderstood for too long, and she offers hope in her new book, The Garden Within.

“We must get in touch with where we are emotionally if we want to renew our minds,” Dr. Phillips shared with the 700 Club audience. “When we look at the Parable of the

“That was very special to me to have gotten that scholarship,” she told IMPACT. “It was a relief because I would have done anything to pursue my calling, but I’m so grateful that I didn’t have to have the addition of student-loan debt to do it.”

Today, she teaches others how to cultivate a state of emotional well-being that strengthens their bodies, reverses the effects of trauma and enables them to live their most powerful life.

“When we give scholarship funds that support students who need it,” Phillips says, “that clears a path for people to pursue Christian leadership. You have the opportunity to change the world through them.”

2

HOPE FOR A HURTING WORLD

Regent partners provide life-changing mental health care to meet a growing global need.

The rapid rise in mental health issues over the past several years, combined with a lack of accessible, quality care, has led to a mental health crisis in America and around the world.

“The mental health crisis has been historically significant with increasing rates of mental health disorders and related challenges over the years,” says Regent School of Psychology dean Dr. Anna Ord. “The pandemic has certainly not helped. It has exacerbated pre-existing mental health challenges and added new ones.”

One of the many ways your generous gifts help Regent University students and alumni respond to this global crisis on both a local and international level is through the university’s Psychological Services Center (PSC). The PSC not only educates and equips future psychologists 3

and psychiatrists; it also provides effective, affordable care to individuals and families from across southeastern Virginia. Donor support for the Center ensures that a person’s lack of financial resources is never a barrier to receiving the help they need.

“The Center has been making a significant impact on both the students at our university and the wider community,” Ord explains. “By offering affordable mental health services to the under-insured and uninsured individuals, the PSC plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between mental health needs and accessibility in Hampton Roads. We are the only training clinic of its kind in our region.”

“It’s a kind of unique setup,” adds Dr. Rachel Stephens, director of the PSC. “We have a training clinic run by

Regent’s doctor of psychology program, and it’s specifically to train our students in seeing their first clients, performing their first intakes, performing their first assessments, and helping them gain real-world experience.”

In addition to providing professional counseling services to the local community, including Regent students and employees, your gifts help PSC offer valuable clinical experience for students enrolled in the American Psychological Association (APA), an accredited doctoral program in clinical psychology.

“One of the things I love about the PSC is our dual mission,” Stephens says. “We have the freedom to offer something really meaningful—and needed—to our community, while also witnessing our students do some really, really amazing work as they learn new skills.”

Thanks to friends like you, future mental healthcare leaders, like fourth-year doctoral student Taylor Lombardo, are gaining valuable experience at the Center. “The PSC is special because of its rigorous training sequence and its ability to offer spiritual and Christian-integrated psychological services to its clients,” insists Lombardo. “I am well-trained, competent, compassionate, and well-equipped to handle a wide spectrum of psychological issues and crises.”

Regent-trained clinicians provide much-needed care in both secular and faith-based settings in the United States and around the world. Your generous donations make it possible to alleviate the impact of the global mental healthcare crisis and foster psychologically healthier societies worldwide.

“We have more than 1,200 students enrolled in various mental health training programs,” Ord explains. “In our residential programs, we train students locally in Hampton Roads, but our online programs are spread around the world. We have students across the United States and in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Central America.”

“

By offering affordable mental health services to under-insured and uninsured individuals, the PSC plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between mental health needs and accessibility in Hampton Roads. We are the only training clinic of its kind in our region.

Dr. Anna Ord, Dean of Regent’s School of Psychology

”

4

Navigating the Holidays With Joy Proactive ways to enhance your mood and well-being this Christmas.

For many people, the holidays can be emotionally and mentally draining. Dr. Anna Ord, dean of Regent University’s School of Psychology and Counseling, shares five tips to better manage stress, lower your risk of illness and enhance your mood.

1

E mbrace Simplicity: Remember that holidays aren’t about grandeur, but the joy of togetherness.

Prioritize meaningful traditions over perfection.

A simple, heartfelt gesture often brings more happiness than elaborate plans or expensive gifts.

2

P ractice Gratitude: Take a moment each day to reflect on what you’re thankful for. This act can shift your focus from what’s missing or stressful to the abundance of love and joy around you.

3

T ake Time for Yourself: Amidst the holiday hustle, set aside personal moments for peace and quiet.

Whether it’s spending time alone with God, taking a walk or simply sipping a cup of cocoa, self-care is essential to rejuvenate your spirit.

4

Find Joy in Giving: Embrace the spirit of giving without expecting anything in return. Whether it’s a thoughtful gift, volunteering, or simply lending a listening ear, the joy received from giving is like no other!

5

Your Generosity Fuels World Changers

S tay Connected: Whether you’re celebrating in person or virtually, take time to nurture the bonds with your friends and family. Sharing stories, laughter and memories can infuse your holiday with genuine joy.

Your support for Regent is not only a financial gift—it’s a transformative force that shapes the lives of our students and empowers them to change the world for God’s glory.

Thank you for your partnership in this vital work!

Donate now at regent.edu/impactgift.

5

Chasing Down Truth You helped prepare a CBN News journalist to elevate reporting in the Middle East.

Emily Jones (CAS ‘19) is a multi-media journalist, working for CBN News in Jerusalem. After feeling “very safe” over the past five years living in Jerusalem, she says life in Israel’s capital has changed.

“It’s very clear we are now living in especially dangerous times, as the Israel-Hamas war threatens to ignite the entire region,” Emily explains. “My daily decisions are guided by the constant underlying threat of terrorism or rocket barrages.”

In addition to guidance from the Israel Defense Forces, Emily relies on her reporter’s instincts and believer’s prayers to report from an active war zone. She insists CBN News’ reporting on the Israel-Hamas conflict stands apart from other news organizations’.

“We’re not only reporting on the violence and bloodshed.

We also encourage our anchors and correspondents to pray for the victims on air,” she says. “One of my favorite interviews we did was with a former Hezbollah member who had an incredible encounter with the Lord. He became a Christ-follower and left behind a life of terror.

It’s stories like these that show God’s redemptive power in the face of incredible darkness.”

Before working for CBN News in Israel’s capital, she spent several years traveling to the region and studying the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, meeting with government officials, and raising awareness about Christian persecution in the Arab world.

Today, while chasing down stories across the Holy Land, Emily remains grateful for the support she received from donors like you, who made her Regent education possible.

“Donors provide much-needed resources for Regent to offer highquality education, research, and outreach programs that prepare students, like me, to be servant-leaders who integrate their faith into their careers,” she insists.

Emily adds that your partnership with Regent isn’t only about money. She says your support helped her make life-affirming connections with mentors who greatly influenced her professional success and journey.

“Generous donors allowed me to focus on my studies and pursue my academic and career goals without the stress of overwhelming student loans,” Emily recalls.

“The scholarships I received helped shape my life and career trajectory by reducing financial barriers and empowering me to pursue my dreams.”

6

Mental Health and the Bible Words of encouragement from Chancellor Gordon Robertson.

A growing number of individuals in the United States and around the world are struggling with mental illness.

During the Christmas season, those struggles can intensify for a number of reasons. Finding solutions to the global mental health crisis is an urgent need and one of the biggest challenges facing people 30 years old and under.

Most of the problems we face can be traced back to the COVID outbreak and the isolation that occurred as a result. The World Health Organization says the pandemic triggered a 25% increase in anxiety and depression worldwide.1

If you find yourself lonely and depressed, what’s supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year” can actually be one of the worst. That’s why positive interactions and regularly connecting with friends and family members, especially during this “Season of Joy,” are so important.

In John 16:33, Jesus tells His disciples, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you “Draw near to God will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the and He will draw world” (NKJV).

near to you”

Don’t distance yourself from the Lord in times of trouble. Come to Him; express your grief to Him; and turn to Him because He is there. He hears your cries, and He will answer you.

The solution and the promise are both found in His Word: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).

James 4:8

Today, so many people have replaced relationships with technology and are trying to live in this “metaverse,” thinking they can be anything they want. But that ultimately leads to absolute confusion of the mind and heart. Our obsessions with digital devices and social media have taken us past a breaking point in our culture, and I think it’s a direct result of turning our backs on God.

1 https://www.who.int/news/item/02-03-2022-covid-19-pandemic-triggers-25-increase-inprevalence-of-anxiety-and-depression-worldwide

This is your legacy.

You will always be part of the Regent Family. Now it’s time for those in your family to join as a Legacy student.

An eligible grandchild, child or sibling of a CBN or Regent University alumnus will receive an award of $2,000 toward their tuition.

Learn More: regent.edu/learnmore

REGENT.EDU/IMPACT | regentalumni.org | @regentalumni | Regent University’s Impact is published quarterly by the university’s Office of Advancement, free of charge, for alumni and friends of the university. To review Regent’s nondiscrimination statement, visit www.regent.edu/nondiscrim. Opinions expressed in Impact are those of individuals and do not necessarily represent the views of Regent University’s board, faculty, administration or staff. Regent University accepts news submissions from readers but reserves the right to edit based upon clarity, length and content. The university may decline to print material at its discretion. ADV230990

C H R I S T I A N

L E A D E R S H I P

T O

C H A N G E

T H E

W O R L D