Charlotte Partnership Program About

The Partnership Program Scholarship gives you a rate of $549 per course. It provides stewardship education you’ll use for a lifetime.

 

The years you spend in seminary are some of the most important of your life, as you prepare academically and spiritually for future Christian service. It helps to have friends who stand with you, affirming your call and undergirding you with sustained prayer and financial support. The Partnership Program at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary provides an exceptional opportunity for this vital support.

Our unique program offers a substantial scholarship for Masters degree students that lets you secure a world-class theological education and enter ministry less burdened by educational debt. Your cost will be reduced to $549 per course. While you learn, your family, friends and a sending church can share in your seminary experience through prayer and financial support.

And as a part of your curriculum, you will gain practical ministry skills, receive education and experience in applying biblical stewardship principles, and participate in one-on-one and small group discipleship training—all important for future service in church, parachurch and evangelistic ministries, on the mission field, and in numerous other areas of Christian leadership.

Your Commitments

As a participant in the Partnership Program, you will agree to fulfill the following:

  • Come to seminary with a sending church that has confirmed your call to ministry, and has agreed to pray for, communicate with you regularly and give at least $500 per year to the Partnership Program Scholarship Fund.
  • Identify, through your network of family and friends, at least 6 donors who will each give a minimum of $35 per month to the Partnership Program Scholarship Fund and support you in prayer. Contributions are tax-deductible.
  • Pursue as many courses as you are able at the $549 per course cost.
  • Write a monthly news update for your prayer and financial supporters which will be forwarded on a monthly basis.
  • Personally send occasional hand-written thank-you cards to ensure faithful communication and convey appreciation.
  • Attend Crown Financial Seminar.
  • Attend Support Raising Training Event.

A Partnership Coordinator will orient you to your responsibilities and the administrative details of pledge gathering, monitor your progress, and provide support to help you meet your commitments.

A Focus on Stewardship

Too often seminary students focus on academic preparation for ministry to the exclusion of the spiritual development vital for future leadership. Through Gordon-Conwell’s Partnership Program, you will participate in spiritual and discipleship mentoring and training events designed to help you grow in Christ-like character and conduct, and prepare you to teach others.

A Focus on Discipleship

Through Gordon-Conwell’s Pierce Center for Disciple-Building, you will have the opportunity to participate in small groups, spiritual and discipleship mentoring, retreats and training events designed to help you grow in Christ-like character and conduct, and prepare you to teach others.

Eligibility

  • The Partnership Program assists the student in learning critical fundraising skills that will be used throughout ministry. All degree program applicants should be prepared to demonstrate the full intent of using their degree in a ministry-based, not-for-profit sector of a local or global environment. This includes:
    • Stating your full intentions for ministry in an addendum to the application AND,
    • Having a letter of recommendation completed by your pastor endorsing the stated goals of the student, OR
    • Be currently working in a ministry-based, not-for profit organization with the full intent of remaining in that or a similar ministry. Please be prepared to submit a statement to this effect.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or green card holder.
  • You must be fulfilling the Partnership Program educational components and commitments.

When to Apply and Deadlines

Candidates may submit an application to the Partnership Program after they have been accepted into a degree program (certificate program students and special/non-degree seeking students are not eligible) and paid the $75 non-refundable matriculation fee. Applications must arrive prior to the published deadline. An application may not be made retroactive for any semester. Therefore, early application is strongly recommended. Deadlines for each semester are:

  • Fall Semester: April 30th
  • Spring Semester: September 30th
  • Summer Semester: January 31st

An Exceptional Opportunity

The Partnership Program offers one of the seminary’s premier scholarships, the opportunity for others to share the privilege of sending you and staying connected with you through seminary, as well as the added value of stewardship education and skills that will serve you well for a lifetime of ministry. This IRS-approved program is the first of its kind in seminary education.

Please contact the Charlotte Partnership Program office at 704-940-5840 or charpartnership@gcts.edu for more information.