About 15 years ago, I was a part of a group of leaders who launched a city-wide faith-based youth mentoring initiative in my city. To be honest, I was charged with leading a new urban ministry and I was completely unprepared for what I was about to experience. I was optimistic and passionate, but I lacked the tools to be able to thrive in a complex urban environment. Thankfully, someone handed me a book called Transforming Power by Robert Linthicum. That was the first book that I read about urban ministry, and it sent me on a path of … [Read more...]
Upcoming Learning Opportunities
DTL Open Forum – August 22, 2020
BGU Open Forums are an opportunity for new and prospective students to get an overview of the program being highlighted. It is also a time for perspectives to ask any question, hear from current students, and/ or alumni as well. We highlight different programs in each Open Forum. It is a very helpful experience for prospective and current students to ask questions, hear questions that may concern them, and get updates from the program director. It will be one hour total and this month will feature the DTL program as well as a short … [Read more...]
Fundraising is not begging: BGU Fundraising Course starting July 6
Fundraising is not begging. It is a call to be a disciple-maker, in the realm of money, where many have stubborn strongholds that keep them from growing. Fundraising should never be attempted alone. The first step is to recruit a team of people who pray, edit, resource, write or just encourage. Fundraising is a journey of building trust through improving skills in expressing needs, vision and reporting. Fundraising may start out transactional, but if done well, it can move into a transformational relationship of sustained interdependence in a … [Read more...]
BGU’s Fiscal Year-End Needs – Financial Update in June 2020
BGU’s fiscal year ends on June 30. As with many schools, the global pandemic and economic uncertainties have made it difficult for many students to continue their studies. God has been very gracious by moving donors to help BGU with its core administrative needs and students with their tuition needs, but there are so many needs that still exist. BGU students, alumni and faculty are on the frontlines of crisis, speaking out against injustice, and creating long-term transformational change in over 50 nations in the world. Please pray if God is … [Read more...]
Speak Different; Be Different; Do Different. – President’s Note in June 2020
Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 3: 1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens (NIV). We are in a time or turmoil and God is neither surprised nor distraught by this. When our ancestors chose to eat the pomegranate in the garden, we set ourselves on this path. As Jesus-followers, we are citizens of a different kingdom yet still living in a rebellious world. Turmoil provides us an opportunity to speak out against the evil that formerly enslaved us and call others to freedom. Turmoil convicts of our own … [Read more...]
