Biola University’s Campaign National Tour continued with back-to-back events in Washington, D.C. and New York City on April 1 and 2, respectively. Local alumni, parents and friends gathered to learn more about Biola’s bold vision for the future, propelled by the fundraising campaign “A Soul of Conviction, A Voice of Courage: The Campaign for Biola University” at each event.

President Barry H. Corey met with approximately 50 guests at the historic Whittemore House off of Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C. on April 1. Prior to the program, guests reconnected with old classmates in the house’s formal reception rooms.

Bryan Loritts (’98), a current Biola Board of Trustees member and Talbot School of Theology alumnus, spoke at the event. Loritts, who is lead pastor of Abundant Life Christian Fellowship in Silicon Valley, Calif., shared about how his Biola education set him on a career path dedicated to the health of the local church. He also elaborated on the growth of multi-ethnic church communities he and his network of church partners have built.

“Biola has not just changed the trajectory of my life; it is changing the face of the local church,” said Loritts.

The very next night on Saturday, April 2, Corey hosted approximately 50 guests at the Lightbox Venue in the heart of Manhattan, New York. Live action videos of Biola’s campus were projected onto the walls of the space, giving guests a small taste of being back on the La Mirada campus.

Erik Thoennes, professor and chair of Biblical and Theological Studies at Biola, joined New York guests as the keynote speaker. Thoennes shared about the tension of Christians living in the the current world, balancing the pain and suffering with the good and the beautiful, and the role Biola plays in influencing the world within this tension.

“The world is broken and the world is beautiful. And Jesus is Lord in all of it. That’s what Biola is about — sending out students who live in this tension with truth and love,” Thoennes said.

At both events, Corey briefly updated guests on the state of the university, highlighting recent changes like the addition of Blackstone Hall and the groundbreaking of the Alton and Lydia Lim Center for Science, Technology and Health at the end of February.

The $180 million comprehensive campaign to raise support for student scholarships, facilities, academic centers and online learning is the largest and first comprehensive campaign in university history. Corey introduced guests to the details of The Campaign for Biola University, where he shared his excitement and thankfulness for God’s faithfulness at the campaign’s progress. To date, more than $169 million has been raised toward these goals.

“We are 94 percent of the way towards our goal, and only 87 percent of the way through our timeline, so we are making great progress,” said Corey.

At the close of each event, guests were invited to join in the vision and support The Campaign for Biola University. Thanks to the generosity of alumni in Washington, D.C. and New York City, an additional $18,000 was gifted to the campaign, bringing the total raised on the Campaign National Tour to more than $300,000.

The Campaign National Tour continues with stops in San Francisco, Calif. on April 16 and Seattle, Wash. on May 7. For the full schedule and to register for future events, visit giving.biola.edu/nationaltour.

Written by Cambria Aviles. For more information, contact Jenna Loumagne, media relations specialist, at (562) 777-4061 or jenna.loumagne@biola.edu.