Help us support church leaders around the world to access Bible training
There are many places across the world where churches have few or no trained leaders. In Kenya, for example, there is a region the size of England which has just 15 trained clergy. Without sufficient trained leaders, churches lack consistency in Bible teaching, discipleship and evangelism. Crosslinks has years of experience in training church leaders and workers and our bursary programme provides both financial and prayer support for individuals from these areas so that they can be trained for Bible-teaching ministries.
‘As a result of your great financial assistance, I have worked as a tutor, then as principal of Morogoro Bible College, and now as Diocesan Secretary of the Anglican Diocese of Morogoro.’
Former study partner
The Crosslinks bursary programme helps to:
- Fund local courses that are contextually and culturally relevant to mission.
- Ensure promising candidates have the financial means to take courses.
- Resource local churches by providing trained leaders and ministers.
- Foster valuable links between study partners and supporting churches and individuals.
Who are our BEST students?
Crosslinks bursaries are for current and potential church leaders who seek a first-level qualification (for example a certificate, diploma or degree) and for those who want to study to strengthen their ministry (such as a masters degree). We also give bursaries to people who will serve in bible colleges, training others to know and handle the Bible well.
How are funds spent?
A bursary usually covers academic costs, including tuition fees, exam fees and books. In some cases we contribute towards accommodation and living expenses but normally individuals raise funds for these themselves, with the help of their church or diocese.
We pay colleges directly on behalf of study partners, so when you make a payment we put this towards your study partner’s tuition and academic fees. To cover the scheme’s running costs, Crosslinks takes 10% of all donations.
All Crosslinks bursaries cover the duration of the course but are dependent on study partners completing each academic year successfully and providing news and reports to Crosslinks and their partners.
How are students selected?
We set two deadlines each year to receive applications. As the number of applications often exceeds the amount of funds available, it is important that we choose the right partners. We use well-defined criteria to consider all applications carefully.
Applying for a BEST bursary
We assess all applications using a rigorous set of criteria. Applicants must:
- Be recommended by their diocese and a Crosslinks worker or contact.
- Have a place to study on a relevant course at an evangelical theological college that we recognise.
- Be ready to begin their course.
- Be based in their own country or one that is nearby.
- Be aged under 40.
- Spend only a limited time separated from spouse and children (if they are married and have a family).
- Have been involved in practical ministry for at least two years since their last study course.
- Commit to and be capable of providing regular reports and prayer news updates.
If you think your application meets the criteria, get in touch.
‘BEST gave me the financial resources for theological training but it also provided a gospel friendship and partnership with a mission-minded, gospel-centred church that endures today.’
Former study partner
Could you or your church support a BEST student?
Through getting involved with BEST, churches in the UK and Ireland can play a real part in taking God’s word to God’s world by praying for them and supporting them financially. You can partner with individual study partners. You can also donate to the BEST general fund and your gift will go to any study partners with a shortfall.
