If you have been on multiple BGU Immersions, you may hear participants say that every immersion is uniquely different. That couldn’t be any truer than with the Dallas-Metro Immersion, whose resident portion was held October 17-28, 2024. It was nothing short of amazing and all of us who participated are still basking in the transformational and spiritual impacts it has made on our lives, ministries, and callings. While BGU sponsored a Dallas Immersion in 2019, this year’s immersion was broader in geography (as it covered the Metro) and more expansive in scope and perspective. The learning experience was impactful in many ways and transformative for many of the participants.
This year’s immersion theme was “Transforming a City- Perspectives, Precepts, and Processes”. The 10-day experiential, educational, and spiritual journey started with a Meet-and-Greet where our students met and networked with local leaders and donors who personally shared the Texas hospitality. With three gifted and dynamic speakers (Dr. Brad Smith: The Paradoxes of Dallas, Dr. Bryan McCabe: Exegeting the City, and Pastor Mark Eaton: Nighttime), students got a historical and current picture of the city they were about to explore. The evening was filled with faith, good food, fellowship, and an incredible message in music by Martha Susie McEntire-Eaton. The immersion was fully underway, and students were anxious to see what the next nine days would include.
Our sponsoring church, The Redeemed Christian Church of God in the Americas, Headquarters Region, hosted us to tour their 800-acre Continent 1 Headquarters/ Campground and their leader’s vision for growth and expansion. It was incredible. We were blessed to have their pastors participate throughout the week, and many of them assisted us with transportation and other logistics. Dr. Abi Coker secured their support throughout the planning, which was excellent support for our students. On Sunday, we visited the One Community Church of Dallas, and later in the week, we learned about the Hispanic Community’s church growth and that of the African Diaspora as it relates to city transformation.
For the Dallas-Metro, there were many other perspectives to consider and processes to explore. From the political and economic challenges to the city’s love of its sports teams, events included everything from the Texas State Fair to “the owner’s experience” Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium tour. We visited with Dallas-Metro leaders as a panel shared the business and political impacts for the area. Then, we met with Junior Ezeonu (the deputy Mayor ProTem), who shared his vision for Grand Prairie, Texas, as a second-term newly elected member of the City Council.
For the Cowboy influence, we spent a morning at the Fort Worth Stockyards and saw the nationally recognized “cow drive” with Texas longhorn cows…a first for many of us! The nine-day immersion included visits to community organizations serving vulnerable populations, such as the Northwest Community Center for Refugees and The Inspired Vision Compassion Center for food and clothing assistance. Students witnessed the impact of local churches on neighborhoods, supporting those in need, including unwed mothers and individuals reentering society. They engaged with 31 speakers and participated in 21 site visits including a windshield tour of the Oak-Cliff community, with strong support from the BGU Staff.
Many students found the experience life-changing, inspiring them to seek opportunities to serve in their communities. Daily Spiritual Formation session sets a meaningful tone, inviting the Holy Spirit's presence and opening their hearts. It is difficult to put into words what we experienced during this immersion. The impact is impressive, bringing a smile to our faces with every thought or memory. God has used this immersion to ignite the callings that He gave to each of us. The sights, sounds, words, places, and people left us an impression that will change the trajectory of our lives forever. City transformation is accomplished through one person’s commitment to collaborating with like minds. We invite you to make room for an Immersion; it is well worth the sacrifice!
Dr. Abi Coker & Dr. Paulette Jordan
Professors of Record