BYU students and faculty hosted students from other Christian colleges Tuesday, Mar. 9, in an effort to create relationships between students of different faiths.

"The purpose is to build positive relationships with people who don't have the same core religious beliefs," said BYUSA executive vice president Samuel Glanzer, who helped organize the visits. "We want to break down negative barriers and build on a foundation of trust and respect."

BYU has hosted students from Christian colleges for the past five years. While the visits haven't always been positive, this year's program was designed to create meaningful interactions for everyone involved.

"In the past it has been about each religion challenging the other's doctrine," Glanzer said. "This year we don't want the purpose to be confrontation. The program strives to create friendships and lasting relationships with people of other faiths."

When students of other faiths come to BYU, they interact with students on campus, attend a Devotional and religion classes and participate in a question and answer session with Robert Millet, the Richard L. Evans Chair of Religious Understanding, who promotes understanding among people of different faiths.

The Christian college students come to BYU on service-based "mission" trips. The visiting students learn about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, engage in the culture and prepare to openly discuss differences in beliefs.

"We were interested in coming to BYU to understand what other Christians believe and to see where the similarities and differences lie," said Jacob Winslet, a student visiting from Abilene, a Christian college in Texas.

Millet and local Evangelical pastor Greg Johnson spoke to students about the differences and similarities between religions.

They said students can build lasting relationships beyond the religious differences.

"I've been at BYU for so long that I forget the rest of the world is not LDS," said Kimberly Gardner, a student host and BYUSA vice president of public relations. "While hosting the students, I caught a glimpse of the purpose of BYU. BYU builds leaders who can then go share the gospel and our beliefs after we graduate."

The program aims to have the visiting students leave BYU with a clear understanding of the religion and to clarify any misperceptions they may have had.

"We hope the students leave with a change of heart and with an experience they will not forget," said program director Nichole Santiago. "Our desire is that they will have a better understanding and respect for our religion and its members."
Copyright Brigham Young University 11 Mar 2004