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Christian Character Scholarship Winners Announced

By February 13, 2020March 20th, 2020No Comments

Four winners of the GARBC Christian Character Scholarship competition (from left): Carson Odle, Sarah Iler, Jacob Southwell, and Kendra Cizauskas

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill.—Twenty-four high school seniors from GARBC churches have been awarded a total of $25,000 in the GARBC Christian Character Scholarship competition. The scholarships were open to seniors who exemplify Christian character and express an ongoing desire to serve God through the local church. The GARBC received 34 applications.

These scholarships are being funded and awarded by participating colleges, with matching dollar amounts, as available, through the GARBC Christian Character Scholarship fund. Give to the GARBC Christian Character Scholarship fund by May 31, 2020 to support these students as they pursue a life of serving God.

The seven colleges providing scholarships are Appalachian Bible College, Bob Jones University, Cedarville University, Clarks Summit University, Faith Baptist Bible College, Piedmont University, and Shasta Bible College.

The following four students were each awarded $2,500 scholarships:

Kendra Cizauskas
First Baptist Church of Rochester
Rochester, Michigan
Sarah Iler
First Baptist Church
Elyria, Ohio
Carson Odle
First Baptist Church
Elyria, Ohio
Jacob Southwell
Calvary Baptist Church
Kalkaska, Michigan


The following 10 students were each awarded $1,000 scholarships:

Jeremy Dirksen
Calvary Baptist Church
Forest City, Iowa
Hannah Dumbeck
Calvary Baptist Church
Norwalk, Ohio
Kaitlyn Eubank
CrossPoint Fellowship Church
Jasper, Indiana
Emma Justus
Emmanuel Baptist Church
Snohomish, Washington
Abigail McGuire
Aboite Baptist Church
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Esther Overfors
First Baptist Church
Guthrie Center, Iowa
Abigail Ryan
Grace Baptist Church
Canton, Ohio
Sarah Smith
First Baptist Church of Elimsport
Allenwood, Pennsylvania
Katherine Tylavsky
Grace Baptist Church
Laurel, Maryland
Caleb Verdu
Bethel Baptist Church
Hopewell Junction, New York


The following 10 students were each awarded $500 scholarships:

Henry Anderson
Good News Baptist Church
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Logan Carter
Calvary Baptist Church
Rochester, Minnesota
Brandon Craighead
Soteria Des Moines
West Des Moines, Iowa
Paul Graves
First Baptist Church
Horseheads, New York
Caleb Hinds
Forest Lake Baptist Church
Montrose, Pennsylvania
Alicen Holmes
Grace Church
Springfield, Illinois
Joseph McClain
First Baptist Church
University Place, Washington
Caleb Smith
Litchfield Baptist Church
Litchfield, Ohio
Joshua Smith
Litchfield Baptist Church
Litchfield, Ohio
Ethan Stroud
Grace Baptist Church
Batavia, New York

Judges for the scholarship program, which has replaced the GARBC’s Talents For Christ program, comprised Council of Eighteen members and Regular Baptist Ministries staff. Tom Alexander, chairman of the judging committee, says, “The committee was impressed with the quality of the applications and had a difficult time ranking them into the various levels of award categories. Committee members felt blessed to be able to read the applications and references and are encouraged about the future as these young people continue to grow and serve the Lord.”

Whether students are planning to pursue vocational ministry or to influence the secular workforce for Christ, attending a Christian college or university will help students develop a Biblical worldview so they can start their careers on the right foot. That education and worldview will also prepare students to serve in their churches.

The GARBC Christian Character Scholarship recognizes students who are committed to serving Christ in their communities and churches. If you will graduate from high school in 2021, plan to apply to the GARBC Christian Character Scholarship program starting Sept. 1, 2020. Application deadline is Nov. 30, 2020. Applications will become available this fall.

The GARBC would like to match scholarship amounts to provide extra support to these incredible students. Invest in the future of the association by helping young people who want to pursue a Bible college education by giving to the GARBC Christian Character Scholarship fund.