This spring, Bethel Seminary students were awarded seven Kern scholarships, bringing Bethel’s total to 17 Kern scholars this year with the possibility of up to 12 scholarships next year. Bethel was originally among more than 200 seminaries nationwide to be considered for a specific, yearly partnership with the Kern foundation, and one of just eight seminaries to be selected.

The Kern scholarships are sponsored by the Kern Family Foundation of Waukesha, Wis., founded in 1998 to improve our society’s core moral and spiritual values. The foundation provides the scholarships as an incentive and encouragement to gifted young people committed to a career in pastoral ministry in a local church, with the ultimate goal of equipping well-prepared, mature leaders for tomorrow’s churches. “The Kern Family Foundation Scholarships have been a pivotal piece for Bethel Seminary during the past few years,” says Joseph Dworak, transregional director of seminary admissions and recruitment. “Many fantastic students have been able pursue a seminary education through these awards. The Kern Family Foundation is to be lauded for their support of these students and their future ministries as pastors in local churches.”

Besides receiving full tuition for three years, Kern scholars enjoy various avenues of support and encouragement throughout their seminary careers, including being linked with other Kern scholars in seminaries nationwide. Bethel also provides its own support by involving Kern recipients in bi-monthly events intended to provide enrichment, fellowship, challenge, and resources. Kern scholarships are offered on an annual basis to new incoming students. “We are grateful for this partnership and for the Kern Foundation’s commitment to the development of future pastors and church leaders,” says Sara Wilhelm, associate director of seminary admissions and recruitment. “It is an amazing gift to be part of the formation of these whole and holy leaders for their future transformational ministries.”

Bethel Seminary’s Office of Admissions and Recruitment actively recruits applicants for new Kern scholarships. If you know of a promising future church leader who is under 27 years old and graduated from college with a 3.25 GPA or higher, refer them to admissions personnel at 651.638.6288 or 800.255.8706, ext. 6288.