College scholarships help students around the world
By Darla Knoth, with Karlene Gannon
Jayanti is a college student who wants to work with children. “I came from a religious background,” Jayanti stated, “yet my family couldn’t find real peace in our lives.”
As a young person, Jayanti attended a seminar at the Assemblies of God Bible College (AGBC) in Bangladesh, where she accepted Jesus as her Savior.
“One day, a verse from the Bible kept repeating itself in my mind. ‘Let the children come to me.’ I prayed and asked God what it meant. He opened my eyes and in my mind I heard children crying. I heard a voice saying, ‘Save them . . . they are dying.’ I then knew that God wanted me to work with children and bring them back to Him,” Jayanti shared. “So many kids are neglected by their own family, especially the girls. I know there is hope and love for them in Jesus.”
Jayanti is now a Bible Diploma student at AGBC, and a candidate to receive a scholarship through Scholarships for International Students (SIS) program, sponsored by the national Women’s Department. Many women around the world like Jayanti have become Christians and feel a call to help others.
Runa is another Bible Diploma student at AGBC in Bangladesh. She says, “I came from a big family, but never felt loved. My parents always cared for my brothers. I attended the AGBC seminar, where for the first time in my life, I felt loved and cared for. Jesus touched my heart and I gave it to Him.” Runa wants to bring love to children and girls, and has a vision to open a home for street children. “It is a very big challenge, but I know God is a great God,” Runa says.
During the 2007-2008 school year, 69 women from each of the six AG World Missions regions (Africa, Asia Pacific, Eurasia, Europe, Latin America and Northern Asia) received a scholarship to attend school for one year. During 2008-2009, 42 women received scholarships from funds provided by the district Women’s directors.
The national Women’s Department established SIS to provide scholarships for women living in foreign countries where it is difficult to further their education. Scholarship applicants have a full-time call to ministry and a desire to attend one of the AG World Missions Bible colleges.
Tracey, from Cape Theological Seminary, was a recipient of a scholarship last year. She says, “I am a fourth-year student studying towards a B.A. degree in Bible and Theology. I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation for the scholarship you provided for me. Since I accepted Jesus Christ as Lord, my dream is to study the Word of God, then impart these life-changing words to others.”
“Our minimum goal for the 2009-2010 year is to sponsor 30 women, five from each of the six regions. Our ultimate goal is to sponsor all 68 applicants!” says Karlene Gannon, finance coordinator for the national Women’s Department.
Names and profiles of the scholarship applicants are submitted by the missionary from the schools and channeled through each regional office. The names are submitted to the national Women’s Department for consideration. District Women’s directors and the national Women’s Department have more information about assisting students.
Jayanti says of her future, “I know God has a plan for my life. I want to see the children grow up and be happy because they have Jesus in their lives, just as I do.”