Continuing Education

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AUTHOR, PASTOR MARK BATTERSON & THE SECRETS OF PURSUING “GOD-SIZED DREAMS” 4New York Times best-selling author and Regent alumnus Mark Batterson ’12 (Divinity) believes in dreaming big and praying bold prayers.

It is a principle that he explored in his popular book The Circle Maker, and one that has guided his ministry for the last 18 years. As lead pastor of National Community Church (NCC) in Washington, D.C., his God-sized dreams have resulted in a vast ministry reaching thousands.

By Regent University’s School of Divinity

IGNITING HEARTS THROUGH MIRACLES & HEALING 6Raised in a traditional Baptist home, Timothy Berry thought his path in life was to become an engineer.

That all changed at age 19, when a calling from God radically altered his course.

By Regent University’s School of Divinity

CHURCH EXECUTIVE • C o n t i n u i n g E d u c a t i o n – R E G E N T U N I V E R S I T Y4 churchexecutive.com

CONTINUINGEDUCATION

Author, Pastor Mark Batterson & the secrets of pursuing

New York Times best-selling author and Regent alumnus Mark Batterson ’12 (Divinity) believes in dreaming big and praying bold prayers.

It is a principle that he explored in his popular book The Circle Maker, and one that has guided his ministry for the last 18 years. As lead pastor of National Community Church (NCC) in Washington, D.C., his God-sized dreams have resulted in a vast ministry reaching thousands.

Batterson’s journey to becoming pastor of the D.C. ministry was one he says he never expected. After attempting a failed church plant in

Chicago as a seminary student, Batterson says he felt called to move his family to D.C., where they connected with a small group already meeting regularly. “When I started pastoring NCC, we had 19 people,” Batterson recalls. “We started very small, but we had a big dream. We dreamed of reaching thousands of people. The Lord has blessed us, and we are now one church with seven locations.”

The congregation continued to dream big when they started praying about purchasing an abandoned building — a former crack house — one block from Union Station so they could convert it into a coffeehouse. The $1 million price tag made the project seem impossible. Today, Ebenezers Coffeehouse is a reality. It sells fair trade coffee with all the proceeds going to local and international mission projects.

“People will ask me, ‘Why would a church build a coffeehouse?’” Batterson says. “Simply put, Jesus didn’t just hang out in the synagogue; He hung out at wells. I think coffeehouses are postmodern wells. We wanted to be in a place where the church and the community could cross paths.”

Missions is at the heart of NCC’s ministry In 2013, the church gave $1.8 million to mission projects around the

world, and it plans to increase its giving to $2 million annually by 2020. The church also wants to mobilize to make an impact locally. In

summer 2012, NCC acquired an abandoned apartment building which it plans to convert into the D.C. Dream Center, a facility that will serve the poor and destitute in an area of the city known for high rates of poverty, unemployment and teen pregnancy.

With all of these huge endeavors, what does it take to oversee a ministry the size of NCC? Batterson says it requires the willingness to ask God for big things and the flexibility to follow His leading. “Nothing keeps me on my knees like a God-sized dream,” he says. “Those dreams help me rely on Him and operate in faith.”

Honing leadership giftsDirecting NCC also requires strong

leadership skills — something the pastor honed during his studies in Regent’s Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program. He says he chose Regent because he greatly respected the faculty — several have become lifelong friends — and he was drawn to the university’s theological perspective.

“It was the beginning stages of the D.Min. program that really helped define my leadership gift and lay a foundation for what the Lord’s done. It gave me the practical tools that I needed,” he says. “We now have 55 staff members with seven locations, and our vision is to have 20 locations by the year 2020. The only way to get from here to there is as I keep growing as a leader. I knew the program at Regent would be a catalyst for that, and it has been.”

Regent’s School of Divinity is a transdenominational seminary located

in Virginia Beach, VA. The school offers a spectrum of course-delivery options — completely on campus, completely online, online with minimal residency, and blended structures — to put students in the driver’s seat as they earn their degree. Recently, Regent’s Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Practical Theology was approved by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) to be offered completely online, with no residency. Other Regent programs include the Master of Theological Studies, Doctor of Ministry, and Ph.D. in Theological Studies.

“At Regent, no matter which format you choose, you will receive an affordable, streamlined, high-quality education,” says the school’s interim dean, Dr. Joseph Umidi. “More than that, you’ll receive a biblically based education that emphasizes the vital role of the Holy Spirit in transforming lives. And you’ll connect with professors who care deeply about you and your God-sized dreams.”

This article is provided by Regent University’s School of Divinity in Virginia Beach, VA. www.regent.edu/divinity

“God-sized dreams”

Mark Batterson, New York Times best-selling author, lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C., and Regent alumnus

APPLY TODAY. success.regent.edu | 800.723.6162

Step Into YourGod-Sized DreamsMark Batterson, New York Times best-selling author and lead pastor of a thriving D.C. church, believes in dreaming big and praying bold prayers: “Keep growing, keep stretching, keep learning.” He says Regent University helped him sharpen his calling to Christian leadership. Our respected faculty and excellent programs will help you sharpen your theological and leadership insight too. And our new 100% online master’s programs offer even more flexibility. Ready to move toward your God-sized dreams? We’ll help you take the next step.

M.A., M.Div., MTS, Th.M.

Ph.D., D.Min.

ON CAMPUS & ONLINE

The School of Divinity is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), with approval for a Comprehensive Distance Education Program. *SACSCOC approval pending. DIV150590

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CONTINUINGEDUCATION

Igniting hearts through miracles & healingRaised in a traditional Baptist home, Timothy Berry thought his path in life was to become an engineer.

That all changed at age 19, when a calling from God radically altered his course.

Berry began to intensely pursue a deeper experience and understanding of God’s love, presence and power. He moved to California to study under Minister Randy Clark — known for his gift of healing and miracles.

Clark became Berry’s mentor, and together they traveled to conferences, renewal meetings and crusades throughout the United States and the world. A humble, spiritually hungry Berry says he began to “see miracles happening in my life on a regular basis.”

Clark recommended Berry pursue a religious studies degree at Regent University, due to the school’s “renewal” perspective that embraced the renewing work of the Holy Spirit.

“My undergrad experience was great!” Berry recalls. “I loved the feel of Regent and the professors.”

During that season of his life, he adds, “The Lord spoke to me to get serious about my personal ministry — to ‘ignite hearts for Christ in every nation’ — which would become my ministry’s slogan.”

A solid foundation for spiritual, professional growthShortly after marrying in 2010, Berry and his wife, Elizabeth, founded

Hearts Ignited Ministries International. He then worked as an itinerant pastor, traveling up to 180 days of

the year. While fulfilling this call, he pursued his Master of Divinity degree at

Regent. The program’s flexibility enabled him to learn from anywhere — whether Berry was at his home in California or on the streets of Mozambique. This approach meant he could accomplish varying goals, together with Regent faculty.

“The professors understand people who are multiministry and have families,” he explains. “I would email a professor about a pastoral emergency, and [that professor] would give me grace and grant an extension.”

Berry says he was especially impressed that the professors — who have decades of experience — treated their students as peers; as people whom they wanted to raise up to their same level.

“To realize you have a voice, and have a chance to become like them — it changes the whole dynamic of the program,” Berry shares. “It’s so uplifting. Regent is cutting-edge on the best ways to empower and equip future leaders.”

Today, Berry says, about 50 percent of what he does in pastoral ministry comes directly from Regent’s divinity program — from preparing sermon notes, to creating personal boundaries that protect his family from being constantly driven by his work.

“At a different seminary, I would not have had the same partnerships and freedom to express my charismatic background,” he points out. “Regent really placed me at a higher level, and I am different because of it.”

About the educationRegent’s School of Divinity is a multidenominational seminary

located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school offers a spectrum of course-delivery options — completely on-campus, completely online, online with minimal residency, and blended structures — to put students in the driver’s seat as they earn their degree.

Recently, their Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Practical Theology was approved by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) to be offered completely online, with no residency.

Other Regent programs include the Master of Theological Studies, M.A. in Christian Spirituality & Formation; Master of Theology; Doctor of Ministry; and Ph.D. in Theological Studies.

“At Regent, no matter which format you choose, you will receive an affordable, streamlined, high-quality education,” says the school’s dean, Dr. Corné Bekker. “More than that, you’ll receive a biblically based education that emphasizes the vital role of the Holy Spirit in transforming lives.

“The Regent University School of Divinity will prepare you for a multi-ethnic, multicultural and multigenerational ministry,” Bekker adds. “You will experience academic excellence that reflects the mind of Christ and empowers you to serve with the heart of the Father.”

This article is provided by Regent University’s School of Divinity in Virginia Beach, VA. Explore your program options by contacting an advisor at 800.723.6162, or visit regent.edu/divinity.

“To realize you have a voice, and have a chance to become like [your professors] — it changes the whole

dynamic of the program. It’s so uplifting.”

APPLY TODAY. success.regent.edu | 800.723.6162The School of Divinity is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), with approval for a Comprehensive Distance Education Program. DIV150592

Pursue Your Ministry Degree. Live a Lifetime of Calling.Creating ministers with longevity. That’s one of Regent University’s core strengths, says traveling pastor Timothy Berry (‘15). While earning his Master of Divinity online, Timothy continued working around the world to expand his Hearts Ignited ministry. Even from the depths of Mozambique, he could count on Regent’s flexible, committed faculty: “The professors are supportive, and they treat you like peers.” On campus or online, you’ll gain scholarship and practical tools to live out your calling.

We’re ready to lead you.

M.A., M.Div., MTS, Th.M.

Ph.D., D.Min.

ON CAMPUS & ONLINE