Memorial Scholarships
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Brian Prinn Memorial Fund
Honoring Brian Prinn: Brian served as a Board Member of Scholar Leaders from 1989, including as Chair from 1997 to 2001. He embraced its ministry – to encourage and enable Christian theological leaders from the Majority World for the Global Church – and was exceptionally generous with his time and resources. Brian also served with distinction on the Board of Fuller Theological Seminary from 2004 to 2013. Both ministries reflect his devotion to effective global leadership for the Church. At the third anniversary of Brian’s unexpected death (February 24, 2013) Brian’s family and friends created this memorial scholarship to honor his life.
Purpose: The Brian Prinn Memorial Fund supports Majority World leaders for advanced education at Fuller Theological Seminary and Majority World ministry initiatives that involve Fuller or its graduates.
Current Recipients
Collins Ako from Cameroon
The Rev. Collins Etchi Ako is a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. His dissertation will explore the relationships between mission and socio-political stability, a pressing concern in his primary contexts of Cameroon and the DRC.
Previous Recipients
- Daniel Dama (Fuller, PhD 2022)
- David Hayfron (Fuller, PhD 2024)
- Boye-Nelson Kiamu (Fuller, PhD 2023)
- David Muthukumar (Fuller, PhD 2020)
Liefeld Scholarship
Honoring Dr. Walt and Olive Liefeld: Honoring Dr. Walt and Olive Liefeld. Walt served the Church as a scholar, pastor, and mentor throughout his career. He was Distinguished Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Both he and Olive were active in global missions. Walt always had a heart for China, where he once considered working as a missionary. Walt served on the Board of Scholar Leaders for more than 15 years. Olive served as a missionary in Ecuador and is the author of Unfolding Destinies: The Ongoing Story of the Auca Mission. Walt passed away on November 13, 2023.
Purpose: The Liefeld Scholarship supports leaders from Mainland China studying at:
- China Graduate School of Theology (Hong Kong)
- Trinity Theological College (Singapore)
- Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Chicago)
- Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena)
- Other institutions approved by the Board of Directors
Current Recipients
Evangeline (Biola/Talbot School of Theology, PhD 2025 in Educational Studies)
Evangeline served as a translator and seminary teacher before beginning her PhD at Talbot School of Theology. Her research will equip her to develop a philosophy of education and practical resources for those in China.
Previous Recipients
- Patrick (University of Aberdeen, PhD 2022)
- Name Withheld for Security (CGST, PhD 2019)
- Xue Xiaxia (McMaster, PhD 2014)
- Name Withheld for Security (CGST, ThM 2010)
- Xue Xiaxia (CGST, MA 2008)
- Huang Tianhua (CGST, MDiv 2006)
- Geng Weizhong (TTC, PhD 2004)
- Shei Wenhau (TTC, PhD 2003)
Persevere Scholarship
In Memory of Sydney Smith (by friends of Victoria and Larry Smith): Sydney’s life motto was “persevere,” and this scholarship is awarded to a doctoral candidate who has demonstrated perseverance in her life and ministry.
Current Recipients
Sara Amestegui-Deik (Bristol Baptist College/University of Aberdeen, PhD 2024 in Apologetics/Eschatology)
As a Bolivian married to a Palestinian, Sara’s passion is serving the Church in Latin America and the Arab World. Together, she and her husband, Anton Deik (Leader Studies), have taught at Bethlehem Bible College. Now, Sara’s research examines links between apologetics and eschatology, an emphasis sparked by watching some non-Christians express sympathy for Palestinian suffering, while some Christians seemed unmoved by the Palestinian situation. Sara hopes to develop an apologetics that will serve the cause of peace in the Arab World.
Hepziba Arputharaj (Asbury Theological Seminary)
Hepziba is a PhD candidate at Asbury, focusing on nonphysical violence in marital relationships among Christian families in Chennai, South India. She has recently published an article and is an active church speaker. Balancing her academic work with family responsibilities, she and her husband, Raj, are both pursuing PhDs while homeschooling their two children. Passionate about ministry, she hopes to teach at a seminary and establish an NGO to support women and children affected by poverty and domestic abuse.
Previous Recipients
- Judy (Africa International University, PhD 2018)
- Sara Afshari (University of Edinburgh, PhD 2017)
- Grace Al-Zoughbi (London School of Theology, PhD 2022)
- Gloria Calib (London School of Theology, PhD 2016)
Pierson Scholarship
Honoring Dr. Paul and Rosemary Pierson: Paul and Rosemary served in Brazil and Portugal as church planters and educators for 17 years. After returning to the US, Paul served for 12 years as Dean of the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, where he was also Professor of the History of Mission and Latin American Studies. Paul served on the Board of Scholar Leaders for more than 20 years and is now an Emeritus Board Member.
Purpose: The Pierson Scholarship supports leaders studying at Fuller Theological Seminary, especially those in the field of Intercultural Studies or involved in missions leadership.
Current Recipients
Michelle Kang (Fuller Theological Seminary, PhD 2024 in Intercultural Studies)
Michelle reflects Paul Pierson’s passion for intercultural studies. In China, Michelle served as faculty at Heilongjiang Seminary and as a minister. At Fuller, she is researching the historical roots of Sinicization, with particular emphasis on the legacy and thought of public theologian Bishop Ding Guan Xun (known as K.H. Ting in the West). Her dissertation will help Christians understand intersections between Chinese culture and faith.
Yosam Manafa (Fuller Theological Seminary, PhD 2023 in Intercultural Studies)
As a son of a Muslim father and a Christian mother, Yosam exemplifies Paul Pierson’s commitment to intercultural studies. He served with a Christian nonprofit in Uganda that cares for vulnerable women and children. Now, he is in the midst of his PhD research, which focuses on Christian-Muslim relations for the common good in Uganda.
Previous Recipients
- Name Withheld for Security (Fuller, PhD 2021)
- Name Withheld for Security (Fuller, PhD 2017)
- Name Withheld for Security (Fuller, PhD 2011)
Larry & Victoria Smith Legacy Fund
The Larry & Victoria Smith Legacy Fund supports the development of highly qualified Christian scholars in Islamic studies from the Majority World. It aims to equip the Church intellectually by funding PhD students who study Islam in rigorous academic environments alongside Muslim scholars. Candidates must demonstrate deep understanding of Islam, a commitment to the church, and an ecumenical outlook, with endorsements from respected scholars in the field. The fund prioritizes theology and historical theology, rather than interfaith dialogue, and seeks to support scholars who will return to serve their communities.
Current Recipients
Patient Bahati Hamuli, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Patient was born in 1985 in Bukavu in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. He has been a Catholic priest since 2015, with special involvement in interreligious dialogue between Christianity and Islam. His doctoral research considers the role of religion in the contemporary Muslim world, especially in Algeria. He is examining how, despite challenges presented by secularization on the one hand and radical ideologies on the other, religion can help to build rich societal identity.