WINTER 2025 5 FALL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT The Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) is a Christian, nonpartisan think tank at DBU dedicated to addressing issues in the public square with biblical distinctiveness. The mission of the IGE is to be a moral and spiritual catalyst for renewal in our culture. Their mid-September Leadership Lecture Series featured three foreign policy experts who addressed American foreign policy toward Ukraine, Russia, and NATO. Liz Brailsford, CEO of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, introduced the panelists. Panelist Fiona Hill serves as Senior Fellow in the Center on the United States and Europe within the foreign policy program at the Brookings Institution. She was joined by David J. Kramer, executive director of the George W. Bush Institute, who served in the Department of State during the president’s administration. Costanze Stelzenmüller, the director of the United States and Europe for the Brookings Institution also spoke. Rudolph “Rudy” Bush, editorial page editor and vice president at The Dallas Morning News, moderated the conversation. Later that same month, the IGE welcomed Dr. Peter J. Williams, author of The Surprising Genius of Jesus, as part of their Veritas Lecture Series. Dr. Williams, who presented an analysis of the teaching style of Jesus, is the principal and CEO of Tyndale House, Cambridge, an international center for research specializing in the languages, history, and cultural context of the Bible. Dr. Jeremiah Johnston, senior fellow for Christian origins at the IGE, also moderated a Q&A session with Dr. Williams. Rounding out the fall schedule, the IGE hosted a two-day event in October focused on the rise in religious persecution throughout the world. The event was in cooperation with Pepperdine University’s Program on Global Faith & Inclusive Societies, Christians Against All Persecution, and Templeton Religious Trust. Dr. Randel Everett, senior fellow for religious freedom, moderated a discussion about the Church’s responsibility to pray for the persecuted. Panelists included Bob Fu from ChinaAid, along with Katie Frugé from Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission, and Rex Horne from the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN CULTURES Dr. Andrea Ramirez, (‘06) was recently recognized by Congress for her service as a woman of distinction in America. Hon. Lisa C. McClain of Michigan, member of the U.S. House of Representatives, recognized Dr. Ramirez on the floor of the House on September 25. Dr. Ramirez was also named a 2024 Christian Woman of Distinction by She Serves America, a prestigious and diverse organization of accomplished Christian women from across our nation. We are fortunate to have Dr. Ramirez serving as a current DBU trustee, but it is her father—our own Dr. Gus Reyes—who feels especially blessed by such an
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODc4ODgx