By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
VILLE PLATTE, La. (LBM) – For the last 25 years, the Hannah Reynolds Women’s Missions and Ministry Scholarship has given Louisiana Christian University students financial aid as well as encouragement to press on with the Great Commission in their future careers.
Throughout the year, WMM associational leaders across the state “adopt” the scholarship recipients. In addition to praying for the students, they also send encouraging cards. Kevin West, pastor of First Baptist Church, Ville Platte, and the father of two of the scholarship recipients, was touched by the prayer cards his children, Ethan and Kamryn, have received during their time at Louisiana Christian University.
“With our children going to college, they’re going to go out and graduate one day and be professionals in whatever chosen area (which) for both of them is medical,” West said. “They are going out as Christian doctors, as Christian researchers. They are taking a worldview of Christ out into the world, and everyone that contributed through Georgia Barnette to the WMM scholarship has had an instrumental part in getting them there.”
Ethan West said he was impressed the WMM leaders in his association would take time to send him encouraging notes of support.
“I found out about the scholarship through my church,” he said. “It was a scholarship that I had actually heard about through previous LCU students. Missions is not just traveling to other countries and doing all these things there. You can be on mission in your local area.”
Kamryn West added, “It felt special, just knowing there is someone out there investing in you, praying for you, and wishing the best for your future. Not just the monetary donations, but the prayers truly touched me in ways that I may not even realize just yet.”
Since the Hannah Reynolds WMM Scholarship was first granted, 849 LCU students have received the
award provided by Louisiana Baptists Women’s Missions and Ministry and funded through the Georgia Barnette Louisiana Missions Offering. GBO also supports the following scholarships: seminary women (master’s degree), African American church planter (master’s degree), and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary THRIVE (certificate program for ministers’ wives).
For additional WMM scholarships information, visit www.louisianabaptists.org/scholarships.
