Church Planting Scholarship

Eligibility

Denominational Affiliation: Applicants must be active members or candidates under care of a PCA (or other NAPARC) congregation.
Church Planting Track: Applicants must demonstrate a clear call and commitment to church planting, as verified by their local session and/or presbytery.
Seminary Enrollment: Applicants must be enrolled or accepted into a Reformed, evangelical seminary recognized by the PCA or viable alternative such as LAMP.
Financial Need: Applicants must demonstrate financial need, typically via a submitted statement of need and supporting documentation.
Character and Recommendation: Applicants must provide letters of recommendation, including one from their pastor and one from a presbytery official.

Submit a scholarship application and essay with the following information:
Conversion testimony
Call to ministry, specifically church planting
Commitment to the Reformed faith as defined by the Westminster Confession and Catechisms
Commitment to small town/rural communities
Personal statement outlining your church planting vision and how seminary training will support your ministry goals.
Submit proof of seminary enrollment or acceptance.
Attach letters of recommendation as specified in the eligibility criteria.

Applications will be reviewed by the Illiana Presbytery Missions committee.
Selection will be based on eligibility, ministry vision, and recommendations.
Applicants will be invited for an interview/evaluation for further discussion regarding their plans. During this conversation, candidates are expected to exhibit:
- Gospel Competency—understanding of the Gospel and ability to present it
- Emotional Competency—Resilience
- Relational Competency—Integrity
- Leadership Competency
Final decisions will be communicated in writing, typically within 6-8 weeks of the application deadline.

Scholarship amounts is one-half of tuition, up to $200 per credit hour, toward a Master of Divinity degree
Funds are typically paid directly to the seminary to offset tuition costs.
Recipients are required to provide proof of continued enrollment and satisfactory academic progress.

Recipients must maintain good academic standing at their seminary.
Recipients are expected to be actively involved in Illiana Presbytery during their scholarship period:
- Come “under care” of Illiana Presbytery;
- Meet regularly with members of Illiana Presbytery Missions committee, or a designated church planting mentor or cohort (meetings may be virtual or in-person);
- Provide a brief report to Missions committee at least three times annually.
Upon completion of seminary, recipients shall pursue church planting within the boundaries of Illiana Presbytery, as outlined in their application.
- During seminary, recipient should work with Missions committee to identify a potential church plant community with the Illiana Presbytery bounds;
- Commit to serve for at least 5 years to see a church raised up in that community;
- Commit to raise funds as needed for church plant.

All submission for the scholarship should be turned into the stated clerk at clerk.illiana@gmail.com

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