With a heart for evangelism, Ryder Burdett ’28 is passionate about having conversations where he shares the Gospel. This desire to engage in thoughtful, respectful dialogue is what led him to participate in Azusa Pacific University’s Utah global engagement trip. Burdett approaches such conversations with humility and respect, seeking to understand others’ beliefs while thoughtfully sharing his own. Through open, meaningful dialogue, he values building genuine relationships rooted in compassion and mutual understanding.
Led by Dalia Cortes, MDiv, associate director of Chapel and Pastoral Care, Benjamin Doerksen ’27, and Kinley Hartz ’26, Burdett and the rest of the Utah team
focused on education as a significant part of their preparation prior to going to
Utah. “We gathered in groups and learned about an aspect of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints (LDS),” said Burdett. At Salt Lake Christian Center, which hosted the Utah team, Burdett and other team members would prepare for their
day.
The team’s focus was on dialoging with members of the LDS faith. “It is way better to ask questions humbly than to assume you know everything because you did your homework,” said Burdett. “A dialogue day consists of going to colleges, walking into a room with many LDS students, and having conversations with them. Their choir would sing a song, and we would also share a worship song. Then we’d turn to the LDS members who are at our table and begin conversing with them.” To continue the conversations afterwards, APU students exchanged phone numbers with the LDS members they’d talked to.
Burdett knows that the Holy Spirit works in his life and in those around him. “The Holy Spirit places you with the people you’re meant to interact with,” said Burdett. “I am a philosophy major, and I happened to sit next to other philosophy majors.” Burdett began conversations with mutual interests, and slowly weaved into the conversation of faith. “This focus on common ground was super helpful in achieving our goal to share the love of God with them,” said Burdett.
Having gone on the Utah trip last year as well, Burdett reconnected with a few familiar faces. “I met Warren last year. He goes to BYU, and we have stayed in touch throughout the year,” said Burdett. “I texted him and told him I’d be in Utah, and we were able to talk again.” Burdett also got to know an LDS student online named Michael. “We finally got to meet in person at Utah State after six months of online exchanges.” For Burdett, this opportunity to deepen relationships made the experience especially meaningful, reflecting the lasting impact of intentional dialogue and Christ-centered connection.
While primarily speaking to college students during the trip, Burdett also went to a retired professor’s home. “He brought his friends, and we were able to talk with them,” said Burdett. “They were impressed by our immense love for Jesus.” The setting created a meaningful opportunity to engage in thoughtful, faith-centered dialogue across generations. As a gesture of gratitude, one of the professor’s colleagues offered gifts in recognition of their intentional care and thoughtfulness.
On this trip, Burdett prioritized meekness, looking at the community with conviction and humility. He noted that 1 Corinthians 2:2 stood out to him with the idea that he should not boast about his faith. “You have to have a humble heart ready to share about Jesus, and that’s all the preparation you really need.” For Burdett, this reinforced the importance of trusting God to work through each conversation.
Following the experience, Burdett carries forward a deeper understanding of what it means to engage others with both conviction and compassion. Through prayer, intentional dialogue, and a commitment to humility, he was reminded that meaningful impact is often built over time through relationships. With a continued passion for evangelism, Burdett remains encouraged to keep showing up, trusting that God will work through each conversation to reveal His truth and love.