“Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.” 1 Tim. 4:15
These words of St. Paul to the young pastor, Timothy, resound through the ages to underline the importance of proper preparation for pastoral ministry. Those who would serve the Lord must diligently apply themselves for such service. This award is directed to needy students, buying them time to be diligent about their studies and rewarding them for their progress.
Answering student need
Initial offering of the scholarship would be given to all new Pre-seminary and Pre-deaconess students.
Rewarding student merit
The scholarship would continue to be granted every semester upon the condition of maintaining a 3.0 cumulative GPA in the courses of the Pre-seminary or Pre-deaconess program.
Responding to student achievement
All incoming students who have need will receive $250 toward their books. Subsequently, students with a GPA of 3.0-3.49 receive $250 for the next semester; students with a GPA of 3.5 and above receive $500.
Impacting students today
Priority is given to answering student needs today rather than accumulating an endowment. If funds do not cover the full scholarship for each student, then the monies will be distributed among all eligible students such that students with a GPA of 3.5 and above will receive twice the grant of the other eligible students. Excess funds raised each year will be held in an account for subsequent years, with the possibility that a full endowment for the underwriting of the book award may eventually be attained.