We have great news, a great Campolo Scholar, and a great challenge to share with you!
But first, greetings from Tony and the Campolo Scholars at Eastern University and Palmer Theological Seminary. We are grateful that you are a friend and a partner with Tony and this remarkable ministry. As another year of studying, training, mentoring, and spiritual formation comes to an end for the cohort of Scholars currently in our care, I’d like to share an update on one of our new graduates.
In May, Campolo Scholar Saroj Chettri graduated with a Master of Divinity from Palmer Theological Seminary.
Saroj is from Nepal and has a calling to return to Asia to work among marginalized people with the support of local churches. Prior to beginning his theological and ministry training, he worked with World Vision and Habitat for Humanity. His heart for the least of these is truly remarkable.
One required class for the MDIV is called Theological Field Education (TFE), where the student is assigned to intern at a church and is supervised by the senior pastor and a team of church elders. Saroj was assigned to the Historic First Baptist Church of Philadelphia, where none other than Campolo Scholar alum, Rev. James Williams, is the pastor.
Five days a week, from September 2021 through May 2022, Saroj would take public transit into Philadelphia to work alongside James and members of FBC.
On Sundays, he co-led worship, offered scripture reading and invocation, led a 1 PM Bible Study, and preached once a month. Each Tuesday, Saroj would assist with sermon preparation and plan the order of service. He attended staff meetings on Wednesday mornings and one-on-one fellowship and mentoring with Rev. Williams. Each Friday would find Saroj volunteering to help James to grocery shop for the church’s meal ministry to the homeless. And finally, on Saturday morning Saroj would help prep, cook, and serve meals to the homeless through FBC’s Immanuel Ministry.
Now that Saroj has completed his seminary training, he’s following Tony’s example and advice to begin doctoral studies in sociology and religion to better prepare for cross-cultural ministry upon his return to Nepal. Your faithful support makes it possible for Saroj and other Campolo Scholars to pursue God’s calling in their lives to ministry in the Church.
As our fiscal year comes to an end on June 30th, we have been blessed by two donors offering a total match of $30,000 for the Campolo Scholarship Fund!
Your gift will support current Campolo Scholars and make this program sustainable for students in the years to come. And, because of these challenge grants, the impact of your gift will be doubled in raising up the next generation of pastors and church leaders.
Please take the opportunity NOW to give a gift to the Campolo Scholarship Fund. Your support will help gifted, promising, and committed students receive the education, training, mentoring, and spiritual formation to prepare for a life of ministry while graduating without the burden of student debt.
Thank you for your partnership with the Campolo Center for Ministry.