READ ABOUT OUR NEW VISION and HOW YOU CAN JOIN US
THE PEARLS AROUND THE WORLD ARE CONNECTING!
For the past ten years we have been doing outreach events, meeting girls where they are and leading them to the Fountain of the Water of Life where they could be restored, renewed and refined. We have literally seen thousands and thousands of girls from all over the world come to know who they are and what they are living for.

Christina has been greatly concerned about the need for the girls to continue to grow on their journey and have resources that could encourage and equip them to become all God has designed them to be.  Last March, she was asked to speak at an event at Biola University called Pearls in Process. It was during this time that a new vision was birthed. A vision that could multiply what has already begun and create a huge movement across college campuses and eventually the world! We are excited to share this vision with you!!!

PARTNERING WITH BIOLA UNIVERSITY
TO CREATE A CENTER FOR MENTORING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FOR GIRLS!
Proposal for new center to begin 2011 as soon as funds are raised!

Please take some time to read.

WRITTEN BY IRENE NELLER, (how do I write your new title!!!!?????????)
Ever since I met Christina and this vision became a reality to me and Biola through the Pearls in Process event, I knew I had to partner with this ministry in some way. Biola University is ready to embrace this idea and develop a center where this vision can launch more formally and with intentionality.  Reaching girls and mentoring them for leadership has been on my heart for years, but I never came across the materials or curriculum or leadership to formalize it.  Now, I do. You're Designed to Shine has so resonated with girls at Biola.  My own pod experience has been so rewarding and I know many others are eager to join in - at Biola and at other college’s around the world. The timing is perfect for Biola as we move forward with our University Plan that is all about cultivating the next generation of leaders. This proposal has been shaped to respond to this vision aimed at girls/women.  Biola cannot make this happen though on its own.  While we have the infrastructure and facilities, we lack funding. We ask that you consider helping us bring the girls from the north, the south, the east and the west - to come and be equipped to go out and shine for other pearls around the world.

THE VISION

I believe that Biola University is uniquely prepared to serve the church and the broad Christian community by raising up a generation of female leaders who will be prepared and equipped in their faith and in so doing lead others to Christ as they go out into the world to shine and fulfill the Great Commission.

This Center directly responds to the growing needs of Christian females who are not finding the support and spiritual care needs they have.  They are not being equipped in their faith and therefore cannot share it with others.  A Christian university setting is the ideal environment to provide the support, education and spiritual care as they go through their most formative years that establishes a solid foundation for their faith in Christ. 

Demographic trends at Christian colleges and universities demonstrates that the prominent gender population is female, yet the majority of programs, leadership and professors in the classroom are male. There is a female leadership gap that the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) is attempting to address by requesting schools to develop leadership programs aimed at cultivating the next generation of female leaders.  In addition, college and university accrediting agencies, such as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) are placing higher expectations and demands upon schools to develop programs and leadership opportunities for females, but few schools and colleges have the resources and support to respond to this request.  The Biola University’s Center for Leadership Development for Women responds directly to this growing concern and develops programs that meets the needs of the female student– in mind and in character– so she can go out to impact the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Biola University has the infrastructure to provide for the program–facilities and staff to assist with program elements, but it lacks the funding to provide for a director and administrative support who can fully focus their time and attention to fulfill this endeavor.

THREE FOLD PURPOSE AND PLAN

ONE: EVENTS
This center will initially not be a building, but a gathering of girls from around the world where they can come together together to be encouraged and equipped on Biola’s Campus. These programs and events will educated and support the spiritual developmental needs of female students.
   
Plan a fall kick-off event that introduces the You’re Designed to Shine mentoring program and connects female students at the beginning of the year with mentors.

Host a leadership development event that extends an invitation to churches and other colleges and universities leaders to develop a like-program for their high school and college-aged students.

TWO: MENTORING / DISCIPLESHIP
To develop a mentorship leadership program that journeys with female students throughout the academic year and connects them with staff and faculty mentors who are interested in leading small group interaction and discussion.

Connects Student Ministries opportunities

Identifies service opportunities with other girls’ programs

Supports the on-going mentorship programs in existence through Student Development

Provides curricular resources that educates and equip female students to deepen their faith and relationship with God allowing them to live beyond the limits of their faith and discover God’s plan and direction for their lives.

Journals and devotional, tracking their journey.

Spiritual development curricula and discussion group materials to lead interactive exchanges between the girls and the mentor.

THREE: OUTREACH
Support girls in looking for opportunities to reach out to their local community in unique and creative ways to share the love of Christ and encourage other girls to know how to journey with God.

Continue existing outreach to inner city kids and encourage students from all other campuses who connect with our vision to do the same in their own community.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!
THE DOLPHIN ARE COMING, WILL YOU BE ONE OF THEM?
From Christina DiMari
As many of you know, the dolphin are a symbol as “support” in my books.
Irene (Biola) and I have been praying and planning about landing this whole dream to take the You’re Designed to Shine mission to a whole other level. One morning I laid it all out before God and prayed that if it was from him, he would give others a heart for the girls we are reaching and be willing to join us so we can reach so many more girls around the world!

That same afternoon I got this message from one of our pearls in Barbados.
She has no idea of all the things being planned.
Her note simply said something to the effect that “my supporters were coming!”
And then attached was this video.
It’s short...but definitely worth watching!!!!

Click here after you watch video.