by Elliott Wright

Passion for Justice: Lisa Katzenstein brings creativity and commitment to her role as the executive secretary for Global Ministries' scholarships office. Image by: Mary Beth Coudal Source: GBGM Administration Rafiné Moreno Jackson of Puerto Rico recently graduated from the University of Puerto Rico/Rio Piedras. Image by: Courtesy Rafiné Moreno Jackson Source: Mission Education

New York, NY, May 1, 2009--Scholarships totaling $1,348,321 for advanced and college-level study in the 2009-2010 academic year were approved on April 29 by directors of the General Board of Global Ministries, meeting in Stamford, Connecticut. The stipends will help to support the educational preparation of students whose future work will directly relate to the mission of The United Methodist Church.

Scholarships included in the new appropriations are grouped into several categories. A total of $649,463 was granted through the World Communion Scholarship program, $462,263 to 45 international students and $187,200 to 23 students in the US. These funds come primarily through the World Communion Special Sunday offering.

World Communion (formerly Crusade) Scholars are studying for advanced degrees, at the master or doctoral level, in fields including theology, health, sociology, and technology. Recipients in the US are from racial and ethnic communities; international students come from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe. They study in many parts of the world:

• Priscilla Muchemwa of Zimbabwe is studying for a master's in rural development at the University of Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa.
• Manuel Paz Cruz of the Philippines is studying theology at Drew Theological Seminary, Madison, New Jersey.
• Tinka Krsteva of Macedonia is studying at Martin Luther College in Austria.
• Juan Covarrubias of Bolivia is preparing for a career in education at a university in Brazil.

A total of $627,358 was awarded in International Leadership Development Grants to 52 new and 74 continuing students. These funds, supporting bachelor- through doctoral-level studies, come from designated endowments and the general funds of Global Ministries. Particular consideration is given to persons related to mission partners--such as United Methodist Central Conferences and autonomous Methodist Churches--outside the US.

Another $71,500 was awarded in National Leadership Development grants, assisting 18 continuing students from racial and ethnic communities--African American (8), Asian American (3), Hispanic/Latino (6), and Native American (1). These scholarships may be used at the undergraduate level study in accredited institutions of higher education.

The names of all recommended recipients are presented to Global Ministries' directors in written form in a semi-annual grant allocations manual called Mission Opportunities. The contents of this book are considered by various groups of directors prior to a final vote. The Mission Development Committee, which reviews all grants, paused to pray for the awardees while approving the allocations.

As reported to directors in an electronic Global Ministries program update, the agency's scholarship office is transitioning from a scholarship applications screening operation into a "leadership development center," a shift in process for some time, but one that reflects the denomination's current emphasis on leadership. The program-update report states:

In addition to receiving applications for educational assistance, Global Ministries will become proactive in working closely with our mission partners to seek promising students with economic need, who show potential to serve the goals of mission….

There will be a more deliberate leadership emphasis on mentoring scholarship recipients to develop their capacities toward significant future contributions to both church and community. This will also enable Global Ministries to help recipients implement their skills and training in ways that contribute to the mission of The United Methodist Church, that is, to "make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."

Lisa Katzenstein has been executive secretary for the scholarships office for Global Ministries for nearly seven years. She holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in sculpture and brings her creativity and a passion for justice to the office. "We support students as they prepare directly and concretely to work with communities and churches in need around the world," she said. "The strength of the program is in being able to partner concretely with the very people in the communities who will be carrying out the work of transformational change."

Elliott Wright is the information officer of the General Board of Global Ministries.

	See Also... Topic: Civil rights |  Education |  Global connections |  Globalization |  International affairs |  Loans |  Mission opportunities |  Youth |  Focus on Leadership Development |  Source: GBGM Mission News
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Date posted: May 01, 2009