Scholarships for Students Preparing for Christian Ministry
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:2
Every other discipline of study has financial aid available through the state and through private foundations and endowments. Younger and older adults in our churches can obtain financial assistance for attending almost any school except a Christian school. If we do not help, who will? Charles McNeely, Former President Lincoln Christian College
The Alexander Christian Foundation began as a dream of Bill Duncan, a deacon at the Southport Heights Christian Church, Indianapolis, Indiana. He envisioned an organization that would provide scholarships and encouragement to young people who wanted to enter church related vocations. The dream soon became a reality. Bill devised a plan that would direct profits from the sales of life insurance to Christian people from the company he worked for to the Alexander Christian Foundation. The Foundation was titled "Alexander" because the name means "helper", and the first scholarship was awarded on July 29, 1964.
Until 1988 the Indiana ACF was the only state to have an organization like the Alexander Christian Foundation. The ACF of Indiana launched an expansion program with the goal of helping other states establish similar foundations. Gene McElroy, ACF of Indiana Expansion Director, came to Oregon in 1990 to share the vision of the ACF with people and churches in Oregon. With Mr. McElroy s efforts and the interest of several people, the ACF of Oregon was incorporated on January 10, 1992. The ACF of Oregon was established to serve the Christian Churches/ Churches of Christ of Oregon and is a nonprofit organization, governed by a Board of Directors. All directors are affiliated with Christian Church/Church of Christ congregations of Oregon and serve without compensation.
Our Mission The Alexander Christian Foundation exists to encourage careers in ministry for Jesus Scholarships and other encouragement will be offered to Christians residing in Oregon who desire to attend a Bible College or Seminary to prepare for full time Christian ministry. The Foundation will solicit, receive and manage contributions for the purpose of giving financial assistance to qualified and selected applicants.
It is our desire to unite churches and individuals through the ACF to benefit: students who might not have adequate sources of financial aid, the Christian colleges they attend, the Kingdom of God, as workers are sent into "the fields that are white unto harvest.
A total of 138 scholarships (a total of $92,250) has been awarded to 62 students attending 10 different Christian Colleges from 1993-2017 All awards, services and benefits of the Foundation will be offered solely to residents of Oregon who are members of the Christian Church/Church of Christ who enroll in a Christian college or seminary in preparation for a full time career in ministry.
What Types of Scholarships are Awarded by the ACF? The Basic Grant: The Basic Grant Scholarship in the amount of $500 is awarded for one year for undergraduate studies at a Christian College. Once a student is awarded a Basic Grant, he/she need not re-apply. The ACF does require a statement of enrollment along with a transcript of grades from the student each year. Other Grants: Other scholarships may be awarded in various amounts as determined by the directors and upon availability of funds. Once a student is awarded a Grant, he/she need not re-apply. The ACF does require a statement of enrollment along with a transcript of grades from the student each year.
Matching Funds are Available to ACF Scholarship Recipients! At the present time the following schools will award ACF scholarship recipients with funds at least equal to their ACF scholarship grant: Johnson University Northwest Christian University William Jessup University A C F = M AT CH I N G F U N D S
Stipulations for Receiving an ACF Scholarship An applicant must: be a member of the Christian Church/Churches of Christ in the State of Oregon be one who desires to serve in a church-related vocation be a candidate for a church-related vocation or one who is currently pursuing such a course Attend a school affiliated with the Christian Churches/ Churches of Christ (as listed in the Directory of the Ministry) Have a GPA of at least 3.00
How Does a Student Apply for a Scholarship? A completed application must be returned by April 1st along with:
How are Scholarship Recipients Selected? Selection Criteria Grade Point Average Ministry Choice Elder s & Minister s Evaluation Written Essay Financial Needs
Past Recipients of ACF Scholarship Grants Jacques Beaudin Portland, Oregon Scio Christian Church Ozark Bible College Robert Brittain Medford, Oregon Rogue Valley Christian Church Northwest Christian College Natalie Rae Wood Grants Pass, Oregon Redwood Christian Church Dustin Gallup Elkton, Oregon Elkton Christian Church Terra Sue Hoff Gaston, Oregon Singing Hills Christian Church San Jose Christian College Hester Crow Drain, Oregon Drain Church of Christ Joshua Scovil Creswell, Oregon Creswell Church of Christ San Jose Christian College Trent Tompkins Newberg, Oregon Newberg Christian Church Pacific Christian College Rachel Wagoner Zig Zag, Oregon Milwaukie Christian Church Puget Sound Christian College Christopher Reed Florence, Oregon Florence Christian Church Lincoln Christian College Matthew Sleasman Oregon City, Oregon Oregon City Christian Church Dennis McDonald Medford, Oregon Rogue Valley Christian Church Puget Sound Christian College Amy Chilton Portland, Oregon St John s Christian Church Puget Sound Christian College Scott Garren Oregon City, Oregon Oregon City Christian Church Michael Heisler Forest Grove, Oregon Singing Hills Christian Church Puget Sound Christian College Michael Mazeikas Mill City, Oregon First Christian Church Andrew Campbell Grand Ronde, Oregon Willamina Christian Church Jamie Sinnott Portland, Oregon St. John s Christian Church Hope International University Benjamin Smith Lapine, Oregon High Lakes Christian Church Jacob Stoller Hillsboro, Oregon Singing Hills Christian Church Puget Sound Christian College Todd Coblentz Willamina, Oregon Willamina Christian Church Johnson Bible College Bethany Pederson Stayton, Oregon Stayton Church of Christ Capernwray (Austria) Jeannie Pugmire Prineville, Oregon Prineville Christian Church Christopher Goetz Monmouth, Oregon Monmouth Christian Church Ozark Christian College Christie Lynn Grove Baker City, Oregon Baker City Christian Church Leah Ray Harrod Drain, Oregon Drain Church of Christ Matthew Shepherd Cloverdale, Oregon Winema Christian Church Northwest Christian College Joshua Vie Coquille, Oregon Coquille Christian Church Puget Sound Christian College Josephine Haselton Eugene, Oregon Santa Clara Church of Christ William Suckow Portland, Oregon St Johns Christian Church Puget Sound Christian College
Past Recipients of ACF Scholarship Grants Sharon Cook Gladstone, Oregon Gladstone Christian Church Puget Sound Christian College Stefanie Malchow Vale, Oregon Vale First Christian Church Scott Parsons Tualatin, Oregon Tualatin Hills Christian Church Northwest Christian College Michael Storey Mollala, Oregon Molalla Christian Church Aaron Jones Gladstone, Oregon Gladstone Christian Church Hope International University Michael Shepherd Cloverdale, Oregon Winema Christian Church Hope International University Rachel Ames Troutdale, Oregon Estacada Christian Church Hope International University Joyce Iverson Tigard, Oregon Tigard Christian Church Emmanuel Graduate School Jamey McElravy Elgin, Oregon Elgin Christian Church Ozark Christian College Emily Jones Antisdel Gladstone, Oregon Gladstone Christian Church Hope International University Brett Case Newberg. Oregon Newberg Christian Church William Jessup University Jacob Pflug Stayton, Oregon Stayton Church of Christ Dallas Christian College Kyle Stair Gates, Oregon Gates Community Church of Christ Allison Thwing Aurora, Oregon Canby Christian Church Kentucky Christian University Seth Morley Turner, Oregon Turner Christian Church Hope International University Viola Gott Marcola, Oregon Marcola Christian Church Natalia Helt Werber Newport, Oregon Newport First Christian Church Senior at Jason Donato Grants Pass, Oregon Redwood Christian Church Lincoln Christian Seminary Lucas Emery North Powder, Oregon Baker City Christian Church Julie Germain Newberg, Oregon Sherwood Community Church of Christ Emmanuel Seminary Sawyer Lowe Redmond, Oregon Redmond Christian Church Monica Schroeder Onofre Newport, Oregon Newport First Christian Church Jesse Shepherd Cloverdale, Oregon Winema Christian Church Hope International University Jake Wright Milwaukie, Oregon Milwaikie Christian Church Emily Helt Newport, Oregon Newport First Christian Church Northwest Christian University Chris Propeck Milton-Freewater, Oregon First Christian Church Joshua Joyner Canby, Oregon Canby Christian Church Quinten Byers Enterprise, Oregon Wallowa Christian Church
2017 Alexander Christian Foundation Scholarship Recipients Annie Johnston Eugene, Oregon Katie Johnston Eugene, Oregon Mary Johnston Eugene, Oregon Isaac Williams Canby, Oregon Norkenzie Christian Church Norkenzie Christian Church Norkenzie Christian Church Canby Christian Church Freshman at Senior at Junior at Graduate Student at Emmanuel Seminary $500 Scholarship $1500 Scholarship $1500 Scholarship $1500 Scholarship
How is the ACF Funded? Founding Gift Regular Support from Individuals Occasional Support from Individuals Regular Support From Churches Occasional Support From Individuals Churches ACF Scholarships The Court Street Christian Church (Salem) helped start the ACF with an initial gift of $2500 in 1993. The Liberty Christian Church (Salem) provides office space and equipment. Operating costs are minimal, so virtually 100% of your contributions go toward scholarship grants! A Golf Tournament is held during the Oregon Christian Convention each year to help raise funds. A Full Financial Report is Available Upon Request
Endowment Fund It is a goal of the Alexander Christian Foundation to establish a fund in which money will be deposited, held in trust in perpetuity and invested by the ACF. Only the interest earnings from this fund will be used to grant scholarships to students who are training for careers in ministry for Jesus Christ. We believe this is a key for the ACF of Oregon to expand its ability to help students and ensure the foundation s long-term ability to minister to the churches of Oregon. 10% of all contributions to the ACF is deposited in the Endowment Fund. Contributions are deposited into the Endowment Fund Funds are invested and the principle remains on deposit in perpetuity Only interest earnings are used for scholarships Inte res t Earnings fund Scholarships As the fund grows, interest earnings increase, more scholarships can be awarded
Annual ACF Golf Tournament Each year the ACF hosts a Golf Tournament in conjunction with the Oregon Christian Convention in Turner, Oregon. It has been a successful means of raising funds for scholarships, as well as an opportunity for fellowship and fun! Elkhorn Golf Course Lyons, Oregon Tuesday, June 26, 2018 Tee Off: 9:00 am Information and registration available online! 100% of proceeds from the Tournament are used to provide scholarships to deserving students.
SUMMARY: The least number of scholarships awarded in one year: One (in 1993) The most number of scholarships awarded in one year: Nine (1999, 2008) Total number of scholarships awarded: One Hundred and Thirty-eight Number of people who have received ACF Scholarships: Sixty-two Students Number of different colleges students have attended: Ten (, Emmanuel School of Religion, Johnson Bible College, Kentucky Christian University, Lincoln Christian University, Northwest Christian University, Ozark Bible College, Pacific Christian College/Hope International University, Puget Sound Christian College, San Jose Christian College/William Jessup University) Total dollar amount of scholarships awarded (1993-2017): $92,250.00 Does an ACF scholarship really make a difference? Three recipients said it was the difference in being able to afford their education!
Directors of the Alexander Christian Foundation of Oregon Cory Gant, Chair Eugene, Oregon D.H. Shearer, Vice Chair Turner, Oregon Tim Doty, Event Coordinator Milwaukie, Oregon Kathy Cea, Admin Sec Salem, Oregon Angie Bartel Turner, Oregon George Kraus Turner, Oregon Ron Randall Stayton, Oregon Nic Sonne Tigard, Oregon John Stroup Stayton, Oregon Jerry Sygney Salem, Oregon Please contact us if you are interested in serving as a Director!
You can contact us at: Alexander Christian Foundation 4742 Liberty Road S #112 Salem OR 97302 (503)302-8955 ACF Web site: www.acfo-online.org E-mail: info@acfo-online.org