The Joe & Martie Stowell Ministry Leaders Scholarship | 2022 Scholarship Update

THE JOE & MARTIE STOWELL
MINISTRY LEADERS SCHOLARSHIP
2022 Scholarship Update

Today’s seminary enrollment is challenged by rising tuition costs and low entry-level career
wages. The result is a challenge for students who desire to pursue a Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
degree which results in fewer pastors fully equipped to serve successfully in ministry.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Joe and Martie Stowell Ministry Leaders Scholarship will open the door for qualified ministry leaders by
providing needed financial aid to prospective seminary students who might otherwise be deterred in their
pursuit of an M.Div. degree at Cornerstone University’s Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. To date, we have
raised $1.1 million toward our $2 million scholarship endowment goal. Once fully funded, this endowment will
cover approximately 50% of tuition costs, enabling an additional 12 to 16 new students to annually enroll in the
GRTS M.Div. program. The exponential impact of GRTS graduates in ministry after graduation and throughout their
lifetime will be immeasurable.
“The 17 years Martie and I spent serving churches in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan are some of the
most cherished seasons of our life. God prepared us for amazing opportunities to shepherd, and
subsequently, we’ve always desired to help future pastors share similar experiences.”
DR. JOSEPH STOWELL
Former president of Cornerstone University

SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA
Recipients of the Stowell Ministry Leaders Scholarship will have a
proven track record of qualities that indicate their commitment to
Christ-centered ministry, including:
• A demonstration of Christlike character.
• A heart of compassion for the needs of people.
• A love for the local and global church.
• A commitment to leading others to love Christ and grow in
the knowledge of His Word.
• A demonstrated ability to succeed academically.
• An eagerness to give their gifts and talents in service to
the kingdom.
Each cohort of scholarship recipients will also participate in
extracurricular program enhancements such as small group
discipleship events, formation retreats, workshops, ministry
internships and more.
Lifetime Giving Toward This Scholarhip: $1,100,740
INAUGURAL SCHOLARSHIP
RECIPIENTS
RENEE LAVERE (M.DIV. ’24) serves at Ridge Point Community Church
in Holland, Mich. She is known for her extensive ministry experience
and qualities as a leader and communicator.
“As I’m studying God’s Word, analyzing the history of
our faith and reflecting on my own faith journey, it’s
causing my appreciation and love for God to grow in a
way that inspires me to share what I’m learning with
others. While I already felt called into ministry, I often
lacked confidence. Seminary is providing an avenue to
build up the needed skills and tools to pour into others.”
NATHAN WOLFORD (M.DIV. ’26) serves as a children and youth
ministry coordinator at Rockford United Methodist Church in Rockford,
Mich., and is a recent graduate of Cornerstone. He aspires to one day
become a pastor or chaplain. At the age of 19, Nathan lost both his legs
in a car accident. He came out of this dark experience with a love for
people and a desire to minister to them through their pain.

GET INVOLVED
Your partnership in this scholarship program empowers
GRTS to graduate fruitful ministry leaders who are prepared
to advance the cause of Christ and His kingdom. To support
future pastors and ministry professionals through the Stowell
Ministry Leaders Scholarship, give a tax-deductible gift
online today at cornerstone.edu/give.