by Mark Maynard Syndicated from Kentucky Today
LOUISVILLE, Ky (Kentucky Today) – Last year, the Kentucky Baptist Convention’s Calling Out the Called scholarship initiative awarded more than $100,000 to 129 Kentucky Baptist students who are preparing for ministry, and that number is expected to grow in 2024.
Applications are open through April 15 and take less than 10 minutes to complete.
Students at Boyce College, Southern Seminary and Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, who are members of Kentucky Baptist churches, are encouraged to apply at www.kybaptist.org/scholarship
“The Kentucky Baptist Convention exists to serve Kentucky Baptist churches and one way we do that is by investing in the theological education of the current and future ministers of Kentucky Baptist churches,” said Michael Cabell, who serves as the KBC’s assistant to the executive director for convention relations.
Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate and master’s level students at the rate of a minimum of $50 per credit hour up to 12 hours per semester. Per hour scholarship awards may be increased depending on funds available and the number of approved applicants.
In addition to the per hour scholarships, Sunrise Children’s Services has generously donated two $5,000 Calling Out the Called scholarships to support students in an even greater way.
Additionally, a generous donor has provided two $5,000 scholarship awards for Clear Creek Baptist Bible College students. Eligible students can apply for both scholarships using the same application.
“Dr. Todd Gray’s great vision of establishing this scholarship fund is already paying dividends to Kentucky Baptists pursuing ministerial training,” Cabell said. “His desire is to expand the fund so that finances are not a limiting factor for any Kentucky Baptists to receive the theological and ministerial training they desire.
“As part of the Calling Out the Called initiative, the KBC is happy to partner with Kentucky Baptist ministerial students to assist with their theological education.”
Cabell said the scholarships are available to both full and part-time students.
“Since the majority of KBC churches are led by bivocational pastors, and for some of them attending college or seminary full-time is not feasible, the scholarship is open to both part-time and full-time students,” Cabell said. “This allowance is a unique blessing for part-time students who traditionally have fewer scholarship options.”
Applications are accepted from January 1 through April 15 for the following academic year. In the event applicants exceed the number of scholarships available, they will be awarded in the order that applications were received. Scholarship awards are for one academic year, but students are welcome to apply each year. Applicants will be notified by May 31.