New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) President Chuck Kelley recently announced two new scholarships — one for bivocational ministers and another for African-American students. Money for the scholarships was donated by a Louisiana-based family foundation.
To qualify for the bivocational minister’s scholarship, a student must be serving a church and have employment outside the church. The scholarship is available to both full- and part-time students at NOBTS. Kelley said the new scholarship will help meet a crucial need.
“One of the least known facts in Southern Baptist life is how many bivocational ministers are serving in our churches. We are thrilled at the opportunity to make theological training more accessible for those who are fulfilling such an important role in Southern Baptist life,” he said.
The other scholarship is open to any African-American student, whether full- or part-time status. Kelley hopes the scholarship will help more African-American ministers attend NOBTS, something he believes will benefit both the seminary community and local churches.
“Southern Baptists have a lot of catching up to do in our relationships with African-American churches and ministers,” Kelley said.
“Adding God-called African-American ministers to our student body will make us a healthier seminary and do more to develop leaders for healthy churches,” he noted. “I am especially praying that this will make doctoral work more attainable for African-American ministers, equipping them to enter classrooms as teachers as well as students.”
The scholarships do not require additional forms or applications; they will be awarded through the seminary’s normal financial aid process.
The online application process for spring semester scholarships will open Sept. 1; information about eligibility for these new scholarships for the upcoming fall 2011 semester is available at www.nobts.edu/FinancialAid. (NOBTS)
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