Training global leaders ELCA scholarships cover the world Yip Man-hei sees more squirrels than people on the campus of Wartburg Seminary. The campus isn’t empty. But Dubuque, Iowa, seems awfully quiet compared to Yip’s home in Hong Kong, one of the most densely populated cities in the world. “Dubuque is really a quiet place to start my theological studies, a good place to concentrate,” she said.
These ELCA scholarships allow future leaders worldwide to have advanced training that’s not available in their countries and to specialize in work that will strengthen the ministry of their churches. Sometimes that means theology. Other times health care, development or management skills are most needed. While serving an internship at the LWF in Geneva, Switzerland, Yip caught a vision of human rights that helped her when she volunteered in Mongolia for a year. “I saw many hungry people, people who were struggling to survive. I started to wonder about the role of the church in response to poverty. I wanted to learn more,” she said. Now at Wartburg, Yip is most interested in public health and economics. “They are essential parts of community development,” she said. “I have learned a lot about holistic ministry and how to strike a balance between evangelism and community development.” Matching students & countries Often there is an institution in a country other than the U.S. that best suits the student’s program and a church’s need. Currently half the students working under ELCA-related scholarships are studying in other countries, said Franklin Ishida, ELCA director for international leadership development. Liberia, for example, is struggling to recover from its civil war. Eric Allison and the Lutheran Church of Liberia understand that pastoral care is important to the rebuilding of that country. So in 2003 Allison traveled to Usa River, Tanzania, for a two-year master of theology program in pastoral care offered by Makumira Seminary there. Allison’s scholarship opportunity didn’t come without sacrifice. Plans to have his family join him at Makumira didn’t work out. He also had to learn the Kiswahili language. But he said the Tanzanians are “a friendly people” and, he added, “there was a sense of cultural affinity in the community life both on and off campus.” Now back in Liberia, Allison teaches pastoral care and counseling at the Gbarnga School of Theology, Monrovia, and assists with pastoral counseling. He works with leaders of the Liberian Lutheran church in reconciliation and peacemaking. He also hopes one day to serve with his country’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which is investigating wartime rights violations and will provide recommendations for healing and uniting Liberia’s people. Developing leaders Since 1988 when the ELCA was formed, 665 people have received international scholarships from the denomination, and 209 of those were women. In the past five years 50 percent or more of new scholarships were granted to women, a priority of ELCA Global Mission. These women and men, clergy and laity, are selected by their churches for international study. They return to serve in capacities determined by their church. Some have become bishops and other ranking leaders in their churches. Others serve as professors, teachers and experts in particular fields. Ten members of the LWF Council have in the past received scholarships through the ELCA. Scholarships are based on a companion church’s stated need, Ishida said. “We ask the church about its priorities, what kind of leadership or skills it needs at this time and what can wait. It is all part of the guiding principal of accompaniment (the model for global mission where ELCA activities are seen in relationship and in cooperation with companion churches, agencies and institutions),” he explained. Rafael Malpica Padilla, executive director of ELCA Global Mission, added: “This scholarship program enables us to accompany sister churches in building their capacity for mission and ministry through the development of leaders. These students share their talents and resources within their churches and make significant contributions to the Lutheran communion regionally and globally. “A salient component of this program is our commitment to the educational development of women. In cases where women have not obtained a college degree, an in-country scholarship program can assist them inpursuing it.” Faith Lugazia, a leader in Christian education from Tanzania, is working toward a doctorate at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. When she first came to study for a master’s degree at Luther, her home diocese in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania didn’t permit women to be ordained. While Lugazia was theologically trained in Tanzania, she couldn’t serve as a pastor. “I have always worked with youth as a religious instructor in secondary school. I conducted seminars for evangelists and pastors on how to go about Christian education in our diocese,” she said. About a year ago Lugazia’s diocese decided to accept women as pastors. She and two other women were ordained at the same time. Lugazia’s advanced studies are funded with scholarships from the LWF, the ELCA and Luther Seminary. ELCA seminaries are strong partners in the program, providing up to 50 percent of scholarship funding. Munib Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, is another leader who benefited from an ELCA scholarship. He studied Lutheran Confessions and theology in 1988 at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He went on to make the landmark first translation of the Augsburg Confession into Arabic. Younan returned to Chicago several years later to study administration and management, a critical concern to the new bishop of a tiny, minority church body. But ELCA accompaniment and scholarships aren’t only offered to Lutherans. Magdi Gendi, an ordained Presbyterian pastor, serves as acting dean of the Evangelical Seminary in Cairo, an institution of the Coptic Evangelical [Presbyterian] Church of the Nile. He used his scholarship for doctoral work in Old Testament at Luther Seminary. His wife, Heba, also studied while they were in St. Paul to improve her English teaching skills. “It was a wonderful experience,” Gendi said, “to interact with different people from different cultures from all over the globe.” David Ramse, who directs Yip’s program at Wartburg, believes the presence of international students “creates awareness of the church beyond Iowa, beyond even the U.S. We are a global church, together in ministry, learning and equipping both ways.” |
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| KOTOBESOA - 7/24/2007 |
I am here at Bossey for accoplishing the Graduate Ecumeical Studies. I would like to countinue that even for the Master and so one . I would like to ask to you about your scholarship 1- Is it possible to give someone as like to countue my study herev at Boseey. 2- And could you explain other idea about the scholarship of Global mission |
| PASTOR JOSEPH AMOAH ASARE - 8/11/2007 |
| I AM WORRIED,BECAUSE SINCE 2001 I HAVE APPLIED FOR INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP TO STUDY IN ANY LUTHERAN SEMINARY IN THE WORLD,BUT STILL I HAVE NOT GOTTEN IT,PLEASE HELP ME. |
| Elyanju Sihombing - 10/8/2007 |
| Long time I heard that ELCA give chance to pastors to get a scholarship. Most pastors at my church, HKBP (Batak Lutheran Church), got a scholarship. Never get a chance for a staff or workers even if she/he is smart or have potential. It is very disappointed me.
But years ago, I know someone, she is a doctor, got a scholarship to be participate in a year English program at TAFE Institute, Brisbane, Australia. She had told me that she got a chance because she has a good friend at ELCA.
Brothers/sisters in Christ, I do not have a friend in ELCA. Do I have a chance too?
To let you know that I am not a pastor. I am only a staff of JPIC desk at Diaconia Department of HKBP (Batak Lutheran church) especially for women issue. I love if you give me a chance to learn English. This is very important to develop my study which is relevant to my jobs at JPIC desk and to build communication in English and also to develop networking. I need this. I need your agreement first. As you know it is hard to get access from our leaders. As I said before that I am not a pastor. But do not ask me about my heard how to service God. I believe that I have also strong motivation to be servant of God. GBU, Anju |
| KINGSLEY CHE BENG - 1/19/2008 |
Hello Brethren, Calvary greetings at this end of the world in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am interested in a scholarship program in Theology and I wish to apply for a scholarship to your Institution. I am an African, Cameroonian but residing at the moment in Nigeria. I will be pleased to have more information and clarification about this topic. Wish you God's blessing. Yours In His Vineyard, Kingsley |
| Response - 5/1/2008 |
| It would seem, Lutheran, that despite all your efforts to inform the public of the nature of your magazine, that people might be frustrated with the little information that is provided on the [link to expired web page] webpage about how, one might obtain such a scholarship. The scholar selection process is presented there as non-transparent, particularly in light of Sihombing's comment regarding "a friend" in ELCA. Perhaps some hard-hitting journalism might address this question: Who and how is one selected to be so fortunate? |
| derin - 6/16/2008 |
to whom it may concern; im derin aras from turkey im going to school in alabama...and my school tuition is going up almost every semester, so im getting unable to afford it. i saw this adress online just wanted to try my chance to ask about what are the ways of me getting scholarship. my school is a lutheran 4 year college. so if you could help me taht would be great...
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| Pastor Tesafaye Nenko - 7/19/2008 |
Greetings from Ethiopia, East Africa, I am a candidate for PhD study program in South Africa. I am interested to study leadership for it is a supremly a thougt after subject in the continent of Africa. Therefore, I would like to apply to your organization to grant me the scholarship at least one time for the first year. Pastor Tesfaye N. Edema |
| Pastor Fred W. Wakula - 9/16/2008 |
HEFSIBA CHRISTIAN CHURCH P.O.Box 104 Cyangugu Rwanda P.O.Box:1251 Bukavu DR Congo E-mail :hchristianchurch@yahoo.com E-mail: fredwwakula@yahoo.com Phone: +243 81 277 85 73 Hello, Dear faithful in the Lord , Rev. Jonathan J. Bonk, Ph.D. |
| Benjamin Odhiambo Nandi - 9/16/2008 |
Am a student in one of the Theological college in Kenya currently taking BA in Theology..How can i reply for the Scholarship? |
| Benedict Ndlovu - 10/31/2008 |
| Greetings.I am presently pastoring a Church in Hillbrow in South Africa.This my seventh year in the service of this congregation.The church has a weekly attendance of between 500 and 600 people.About 95% of the membership is made up both economic and political refugees from Zimbabwe.I am presently enrolled with the University of Johannesburg doing my MA in NT, but l failed this year to raise my tuition fees of R7000.00.I am also intending to finish off my MA next and I will need R9000.00.Please help! |
| adewale samuel adekunle - 11/7/2008 |
| HELLO, I AM A NIGERIAN PASTOR AND CHRISTIAN LEADER. I AM KEENLY INTERESTED IN YOUR WONDERFUL PROGRAM. I HAVE BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION. HOW DOU YOU THINK ICAN ENJOY YOUR SCHOLARSHIP TO FURTHER MY RELIGIUOS EDUCATION? THANKS FOR YOUR FAVORABLE REPLY. |
| Web Manager - 11/11/2008 |
If you have questions about the ELCA International Scholarship program, please contact Tammy Jackson by email or contact her by mail at: Tammy Jackson, |
| Pastor Tesfaye Nenko Edema - 11/27/2008 |
| Pastor Tesafaye Nenko - 7/19/2008 Greetings from Ethiopia, East Africa, I am a candidate for PhD study program in South Africa. I am interested to study leadership for it is a supremly a thougt after subject in the continent of Africa. Therefore, I would like to apply to your organization to grant me the scholarship at least one time for the first year. Pastor Tesfaye N. Edema |
| Amber - 11/27/2008 |
Dear Pastor Edema, Please get in touch with Tammy Jackson via the methods above. Web Manager |
| wycliffe kaduchi - 2/6/2009 |
how are you Brethen? hope you are pretty good and full of continuous God's blessings. i do take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitudes that you are exhibiting towards the people of God. i must admit that indeed God will mnever take His eyes off you. a am a kenyan by nationality and i have completed a degree in human resource management in Makerere university Uganda and would wish to apply for a scholarship which would enable me study a masters in theology if not leadership. i will be very greatfull if granted a chance. may God bless you abudantly
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| Pastor Kengok John Ngokse - 5/26/2009 |
| I am a hospital chaplain who have been working with persons living with HIV/AIDS since 2001 with the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services. Of recent I have been admitted for a graduate program in counseling in the Nairobi International School of Theology. Can you help me found a scholarship to study in this school in Kenya? |
| Web Manager - 5/26/2009 |
If you have questions about the ELCA International Scholarship program, please contact Tammy Jackson by email or contact her by mail at: Tammy Jackson, |
| JOSEPH MUTISO WAMBUA - 8/29/2009 |
hi,i am a member of coptic orthodox church in kenya.i am acting as a youth cordinator in my church.i do visit children homes and with interest i hope to start mine in the future for the purpose and need of upgrading and rehabilitating street children aftter i finish my studies. Recently am pursuing bachelor of commerce degree in accounting in daystar university.i request for assistance so that i can finish my studies.i expected to pay 10,0000 dollars to finish my remaining years .i will appreciate any assistance in respect to this.may GOD bless you. |
| JOSEPH AMOAH ASARE - 10/1/2009 |
I want to be Trained as a Parish Pastor,I therefore need scholarship in that respect. Thank you. |
| William Nganloki Korok - 10/14/2009 |
I am a pastor from southern sudan and from a marginalization tribe calls Murle from South.I seek your prayers for this community so that they could get some churches who will support us and train more srevants who could bring these people to God. Although I am thinking of establishing small center for training pastors and evangelists who will envisage God's kingdom. Please, I beseech you in the mercies og God to partner with me and support this vision. Hope to hear from you God bless William Nganloki Korok
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| Ebiloma O. Adamu - 10/16/2009 |
| i want to apply for the scholaship but i dont know how to go about it. can you pleaqse send me the information on how to apply. |
| Elijah OKEYODE - 11/19/2009 |
Shallom, I would like to get ascholarship for carrying on my pastoral studies anywhere in America or Europe. Could you help me get some information on how to get a Scholarship? May God bless, Amen! |
| Hauwa Madi - 2/6/2010 |
Greetings in Jesus name; am a student of TCNN in Nigeria, who was told last year that i had received an approval for the schorlarship i applied for. however i have not received any funds yet; if i may ask, why is that so? God bless and keep you. Shallom. |
| Web Manager - 2/8/2010 |
Dear Hauwa, If you have questions about the ELCA International Scholarship program, please contact Tammy Jackson by email or contact her by mail at: Tammy Jackson,
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