Wycliffe Bursary Fund Draft 6

The John Wycliffe
Scholarship Fund
Investing in future Christian
leaders and disciple-makers
WYCLIFFE HALL
OXFORD

2 | THE JOHN WYCLIFFE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Wycliffe Hall’s mission is to ensure that there’s a Christian
witness and a Christian presence at the heart of Oxford and its
world-leading university – and to make sure that we send that
Christian witness out into the world through our students.
REVD DR ANDREW ATHERSTONE
Tutor in History & Doctrine

Help us to invest in
future Christian leaders
THE JOHN WYCLIFFE SCHOLARSHIP FUND | 3
It is a joy to see the energy and
enthusiasm that our students bring
with them to Wycliffe. And it’s a
joy to see the depth of mind and
character they take with them as they
leave to make a difference for the
Kingdom throughout the world.
Excellent theological and ministerial training is
invaluable, and we must continue to maintain our
exceptional standards. Yet the financial cost of
providing such training is high. Wycliffe has a rich
Christian heritage but is not rich in the worldly sense:
we have no endowments.
So we are excited to be launching The John Wycliffe
Scholarship Fund. Every day I speak with students
who are only here because of the financial help they
received. As tuition fees rise, international students
in particular are in need of help. The Fund will
help us provide scholarships to those Certificate in
Theological Studies (CTS) students who need support.
Please join us in your prayers and consider making
a donation as we establish the Fund, so that we can
continue to play a part in providing future Church
leaders and disciple-makers.
Inside these pages you will read about the CTS, about the
impact that the course has had on our students, and the
difference that financial assistance has made to them.
With your support, we will be able to help many more.
THE REVD DR MICHAEL LLOYD
Principal of Wycliffe Hall

4 | THE JOHN WYCLIFFE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Certificate in
Theological Studies
Every year, between 25 and 45 students come from
all over the world to take our one-year Certificate
in Theological Studies (CTS) course. The course
gives students a grounding in Christian ministry and
theological study; it is practical as well as academic, and
is an excellent framework for ministerial preparation.
UNIQUE FEATURES OF THE COURSE
• Academic excellence in a strong Christian community
• Bible-centred teaching, covering the core
disciplines of theology, ministry and apologetics
• Opportunity to take part in practical ministry
such as prison visiting
• Located in the internationally renowned city
where Biblical translator and reformer
John Wycliffe taught.
WHAT OUR ALUMNI GO ON TO DO…
Evangelism
Church
leadership
Charities
and international
development
Further
theological
study
The CTS provides students with a theological foundation for
their future ministry. The course gives them a grounding in
the Bible, doctrine, church history, and Christian faith and
ministry in the contemporary world.
So when they leave Wycliffe, our students are equipped both
for their future ministry and for their own academic and
spiritual development beyond theological college.
Dr Benjamin Johnson
CTS Course Director

In their own words...
THE JOHN WYCLIFFE SCHOLARSHIP FUND | 5
Here’s what some current and recent students have to say about the CTS.
All of these students received scholarship help.
Andrew
CTS 2015/16
Lizibeth
now studying for an
MA in Theological Studies
in Canada
Jorge
CTS 2015/16
Alistair
now working for a Christian
charity in London
‘The CTS really is more than
a course – it is definitely a
shaping experience that is
moulding me in many ways.
I hope to join an apologetics
team in the Middle East,
working to explain the
Christian faith to people and
engage with atheism and
scepticism.’
‘I served in missions and
ministry for 15 years, but my
year at Wycliffe was one of
the most influential in my
life. The CTS scholarship
was part of the miracle that
got me there. It lit a new
fire in my heart to use my
mind, writing skills, and
imagination to contribute to
the renewal of the Christian
intellect, and it was there
that I felt God was leading
me to pursue further
academic work.’
‘The one-year commitment
is perfect. It allows you to
focus on topics of personal
interest, while also providing
access to a plethora of
lectures throughout Oxford.
It is my desire that having
strengthened my knowledge
and convictions, I will be
able to share my faith with
others more clearly.’
‘Wycliffe played an
important role in my
understanding of what it
means to ‘do theology’ in a
community. Debating how
what we learned in lectures
fits into a coherent Christian
world view is something
that I now try to stimulate at
work and church. I also offer
lunch-time talks at work in
theology and apologetics.
My time at Wycliffe is
evident in my confidence
to do this.’

6 | THE JOHN WYCLIFFE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The John Wycliffe
Scholarship Fund
Wycliffe Hall is committed to enabling as many
students as possible to train for ministry and to
study theology in preparation for their future calling,
whether that be the ordained ministry or lay ministry.
We have been providing financial support over the
years but, as educational fees rise, we now need
your help to ensure that this support can continue.
Typically, about a third of each year’s cohort comes
from the USA, with a third from the UK and another
third from other countries around the world. The
international students face particularly high tuition
fees to study here.
We have set up a specific fund to issue scholarships
for the CTS so that we can help those in greatest
need – The John Wycliffe Scholarship Fund.
OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE $250,000 EACH
YEAR IN SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT.
Can you help us?
A ONE-TIME DONATION OF
$5,000 OR MORE
will pay for one named CTS Scholarship through
The John Wycliffe Scholarship Fund.
A REGULAR DONATION OF
$250 PER YEAR FOR THREE YEARS
will help towards funding a CTS Scholarship through
The John Wycliffe Scholarship Fund.
We welcome donations of any amount, whether
regular or one-time donations, and also of securities.
In every case, your gift will provide scholarship
assistance to a student with demonstrated
financial need.

THE JOHN WYCLIFFE SCHOLARSHIP FUND | 7
Please consider making a donation to
the John Wycliffe Scholarship Fund
Gifts of $5,000 and above will provide scholarships
that can be named as a tribute to individuals or
organisations; in memory of family members, friends
or mentors; to recognise friends; or to acknowledge
significant milestones in someone’s life such as
graduations, anniversaries, and other significant
achievements.
WHY I GIVE TO WYCLIFFE HALL...
Your gift will be directed to a qualified recipient
who demonstrates the greatest financial need and
academic promise.
Tax-deductible donations and pledges can be paid
by cash, check, credit card or securities. You may opt
to charge the same amount to your credit card on a
monthly basis or give monthly via direct debit from
your checking or savings account.
Friends of Wycliffe Hall is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
organisation and we will provide acknowledgement
letters with our Federal Tax ID number for all gifts.
Talk with your financial advisors about the benefits
of giving cash, securities or planned gifts to take full
advantage of our 501(c)(3) charitable tax status. Please
contact me, Stephanie Cocke, for assistance in making
these types of gifts.
Stephanie Cocke
US Coordinator
Friends of Wycliffe Hall
E: stephanie@friendsofwycliffehall.org
T: +1 713.598.1526
www.friendsofwycliffehall.org
As part of Oxford University, Wycliffe Hall offers
worldwide credibility to a culture that is prone to
incredulity regarding faith in Christ. Since today’s
academia teaches tomorrow’s leaders, Oxford is a
pivotal place where Wycliffe Hall stands as a
light on the hill.
Stunned by the warmth of relationships, I’ve discovered
Wycliffe Hall is no cold, ivory tower. Along with awardwinning
academic excellence, vibrant faith flourishes
with grace.
I feel privileged to invest in the work of God’s Kingdom
by giving to Wycliffe Hall situated in this unique spot.
Students from around the globe – including the Middle
East – seek ordination to invest in countless lives with
exponential effect, embodying Oxford’s motto:
‘The Lord is my light.’
Susan Larson
Author and donor

WYCLIFFE HALL
A Permanent Private Hall of the University of Oxford
DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
Matthew Armstrong
E: development@wycliffe.ox.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)1865 274212
FRIENDS OF WYCLIFFE HALL (U.S.)
Stephanie Cocke
E: stephanie@friendsofwycliffehall.org
T: + 1 713.598.1526