How Your Generosity Is Opening Doors for Regent SBL Students To Lead With the Love and Compassion of Jesus Christ.
Regent University’s School of Business & Leadership (SBL) seeks to transform business innovation into ministry and leadership while impacting lives for eternity. To do that, SBL emulates and instills “the ultimate model of servant leadership” for its students.
“At the heart of our approach is the recognition that Jesus Christ exemplified the qualities of a true servant and sacrificial leader,” SBL dean, Dr. Doris Gomez, explains. “Jesus consistently put the needs of others before his own, humbly using his influence and authority to serve, uplift, and empower those around him.”
Propelled by your support, the school’s distinctive, heart-and-soul approach to leadership development and business has produced thousands of graduates who exemplify Regent University’s mission of Christian leadership to change the world. The generosity of friends and donors, like you, paves the way for SBL alumni to lead in business by serving others.
Kenton Lee (SBL ’08)
Shortly before earning his Master’s of Organizational Leadership at Regent, Kenton founded Because International, a global humanitarian ministry that created “The Shoe That Grows.” This life-changing footwear adjusts five sizes, lasts for years, and has blessed approximately 500,000 children in 125 countries.
“In 2007, while living and working at a small orphanage in Kenya,” Kenton recalls, “I had this idea for an adjustable shoe, after seeing kids who were outgrowing their shoes and had no access to more.”
Drawing from what was learned bringing “The Shoe That Grows” to market, Kenton and his team founded Because Accelerator to work with global entrepreneurs and take their innovative products to the next level. To date, they have worked with more than 150 entrepreneurs to help them accelerate their businesses and create thousands of jobs in poverty-stricken areas around the world.
When he began studying at Regent, Kenton admits that his idea for “The Shoe That Grows” was just getting off the ground. He not only thanks SBL for his success, Kenton also encourages friends and donors to give generously to the university so it can continue to be a catalyst to forge tomorrow’s servant-leaders.
“You should give to Regent because the university invests, empowers, supports, and believes in young leaders,” he insists. “The deans, faculty, and staff take chances on young leaders, and it sets them off on a path to change the world.”
Leah Williams-Rumbley (SBL ’24)
In her role as Chief Programs and Innovation Officer at Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, Leah is responsible for creating sustainable solutions to decrease food insecurity by implementing innovative practices, addressing root causes, and cultivating strategic partnerships that advance advocacy for Foodbank’s efforts.
Leah received her MBA from Regent this past May. She chose Regent because she wanted to study with fellow Christians at a school with care and concern for her academic journey.
“That’s exactly what I found,” Leah says. “My schoolwork has really made me more strategic and deliberate about how I integrate a biblical worldview into my everyday work. … As a leader and as an executive in an organization, what is my responsibility to the people on my team and to my neighbors?”
In both her professional life and Regent education, Leah understands the critical need for generous donor support. She calls it “the lifeblood of service” and insists financial giving is what helps her and others serve as the hands and feet of Christ.
“The four ways you can give back are through your time, talent, treasure, and voice,” Leah explains. “All of those things are absolutely necessary. They make sure our neighbors have access to the things they need.”
Ethan Batschelet (SBL ’25)
As a Ph.D. student in Regent’s Organizational Leadership program, Ethan currently serves with World Gospel Mission (WGM) in Honduras as the general director of the ministry’s rural, Christian, boarding school with 300+ students. He’s also an ordained minister with the Iglesia Evangelica de Santidad en Honduras, where he serves as director of
their theological education ministries nationwide.
Ethan says his greatest motivation for attending Regent was the university’s focus on serving the Lord: “In my experience, the terms ‘leader’ and ‘servant’ are nearly synonymous. Everything my wife and I do as leaders is done with a desire to serve God and serve others. Many people have invested in me by demonstrating a servant’s heart. I desire to do the same.”
As a scholarship recipient, Ethan is “forever grateful” to those who make his Regent journey possible. As a missionary, he knows your prayers and gifts are critical to fulfilling the Great Commission.
“I would never have been able to afford this education alone,” Ethan insists. “But God moved mountains and performed miracles, through the generosity of Regent donors, to help equip me as a servant-leader to change the world.”
Gomez insists that, by modeling how to serve others, these three alumni exemplify the mission and values of Regent University and SBL. She adds that additional scholarships and grants would make it possible for many more well-deserving, high-potential candidates to access this transformative, Christ-centered education.
“Your support makes a profound difference in the lives of countless students, enabling them to pursue God’s call on their lives,” she says. “You are the answer to my prayers of provision and to the prayers of these students. Thank you for your faithfulness. Please don’t stop; please don’t get weary; please continue to consider us.”
