The Tri-Cities Immersion took place in the October 2025 term with onsite dates October 24-November 2. Dr. Godspower Ugboh and Dr. Paulette Jordan were the PORs. It was the first immersion to include three cities (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill in North Carolina), and it proved to be one for the records book. From the opening dinner, where Dr. Bryan McCabe shared his life as an incarnational leader, along with his lecture on Exegeting the City, to the closing dinner at the famous “Top of the Hill” restaurant located in the heart of the UNC Chapel Hill community, this immersion had transformation as its bedrock.

Even the street that ran alongside our hotel was named “Transformation Drive”! Over the 10 days of visiting the three cities, exploring the work of God’s hands in so many people, organizations, and ministries, we witnessed firsthand the individualized transforming experiences for each student. It was amazing to see how God worked through the examples of service, relentless commitment against all odds, and leadership that personified all eight of the BGU transformational leadership perspectives. Ray Bakke’s legacy and influence were felt throughout the visits, as many of these leaders had been trained under his leadership and were incarnational leaders serving among the three cities’ most vulnerable populations. His legacy continues.

For the immersion, students visited CCDA-member organizations like Neighbor-to-Neighbor who sponsored their annual community day on Saturday. They provide after-school services and tutoring to students who are struggling academically. One of their volunteers had been with the organization for 38 years! They tasted the culture and food at the North Carolina State Fair and attended Sunday services with Dr. James Greer at the Summit Church. They explored Raleigh and Durham via a guided tour as they walked the historic streets downtown and felt and touched the heritage of tobacco from the American Tobacco Company. They met with the mayor of Durham and the Mayor Pro Tem in Raleigh, taking a first-hand look at the political environment and upcoming political races. On the educational front, whether it was the strength of Duke University or the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the importance of education was all around us.

Site visits to a wide variety of mission-focused agencies made the concepts being studied in the course come alive. Whether it was El Centro Hispano where they focused on meeting the needs of the Hispanic community, or the Raleigh Rescue Mission that provides shelter and food for those who are homeless or unemployed, students saw the hand of God at work through these ministries, or Refugee Hope Partners who serviced the refugee community with unconditional love, we saw God’s love being poured out on “the least of these”.

Other impressive operations were seen at the Raleigh Technical Community College where they trained girls and women in construction trades such as carpentry, building construction, and welding; the Merrick-Moore Community Development Program where they teach young people how to farm and grow their own food; Dorcas Ministries where they operate a retail thrift shop with $4.4 million in annual sales to finance their food and employment programs; the Reality Ministry that provides full-day care and permanent housing for adults with special needs; and, Hope Reins, a therapeutic horse program that provides horse therapy for children experiencing trauma.

The immersion would not have been complete without a trip to the Triangle Research Park and a taste of the Southern cuisine. At the research park, students attended a business seminar with community organizations to learn about business start-ups in the area. They got to stand next to the first portion of the Berlin Wall that was on display in the lobby of the building. Local pastor and CCDA member, Pastor Doug Gamble, met us there. Later that afternoon, he shared with the students the current state of church and community relations. A trip to the Museum of Natural Sciences and UNC NASH Hospital (where Dr. Godspower is on staff) provided a realistic picture of the history and current challenges faced in these communities.

The southern cuisine was on full display. From the Raleigh Soul Food Kitchen to the incredible ministry for homeless persons called “A Place at the Table”, students tasted the southern hospitality in many forms. At the homeless ministry, people could work in the restaurant for one hour and receive an exquisite lunch cooked and served by those who were formerly homeless themselves. A full-service restaurant in downtown Raleigh, they teach homeless people cooking and culinary skills and then gainfully employ them in the restaurant.

Noah Manyika was our final lecturer on Saturday, and he was absolutely amazing. He shared from his most recent book, Prevail: Reclaiming the Divinity of Humanity, and it was the perfect completion of the messages from the week. In all, we had 13 students and staff participate, had 17 lectures, and 21 site visits.

The groundwork for the immersion experience was laid in advance when the PORs scheduled weekly Zoom meetings with seven of the ground-shaking transformational leaders and products of BGU’s legacy of transformation as guest lecturers. Weekly guest lecturers included Dr. Larry Lloyd, President of the National Leadership Foundation; Dr. Eric Swanson; Dr. Piet Brinksma; DTL candidate Amy Wilhelm, Dr. Matthew Flippen, and Dr. Kathy Dudley.

Here are a few quotes from students and participants:

“We saw so many people truly bring God’s shalom to their contexts. Our group was so touched!!!” (Nita Kotiuga, BGU Spiritual Director)

“It was a life-changing experience. I learned a lot about my ministry context. Now, I have many contacts and am building a network of leaders to partner with to bring God's shalom to the Tri-Cities. I made the best decision ever by co-hosting the Tri-Cities Immersion with Dr. Paulette. Dr. Nita is a blessing to any team, as she provides a stabilizing, divine presence while also serving as the "Barnabas of an innovative team”. (Dr. Godspower, Co-POR)

“I can’t wait for all of us to come together. I am so grateful that God chose this course for me. The more I read and the more I am a part of BGU, the more I am changing." (Marvin Smoot, DTL Student)

“The Dorcas Ministry and visit to Hope Reins were my takeaways to be integrated in our local ministry!” (Sunday Omotosho, PhD Student)

“BGU Family: Thank you for sharing your heart, feelings, and God-given resources with me during the immersion. I am marching back to Ethiopia with great encouragement and vision because of our time together in the Tri-Cities”. (Tesfaye Chombamo, DTL Student)

Dr. Paulette Jordan

Professor of Record