contributed by Haley Walker Klein, UMFA
A Texas family established a seminary scholarship with The United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas to honor loved ones who have pastored in our state. The Allen Asbury and Roberta Fuller Few Memorial Scholarship “awards funds to Arkansas students attending United Methodist seminaries and who desire to answer a call to ordained ministry within the United Methodist Church.” Leah Williams of Bella Vista has been named as this year’s recipient.
Leah is currently a student at Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. She successfully completed three semesters at The Divinity School at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina before relocating to Northwest Arkansas. Leah is an excellent student and anticipates completing her Master of Divinity degree from Gammon following the fall 2020 semester.
The Allen Asbury and Roberta Fuller Few Memorial Scholarship will provide for her tuition and fees for the remainder of the 2019 academic year and all of 2020. Leah currently is on the Pastoral Staff at First United Methodist Church in Bentonville, Arkansas and is already serving with distinction in that community. Leah promises to be one of the most effective pastors in Arkansas Methodism and this connection will help her succeed and have a stronger influence in the world.
“I believe in my strength as novice, fierce theologian,” said Leah. “Through the strength of the Lord, I am able to motivate others, preach directly to souls, and create connectedness. The Allen Asbury and Roberta Fuller Few Memorial Scholarship will enable me to continue my education in which I will then return my learnings to my community.”
Donors like the Fuller Few family provide dividends for future generations and offer great hope for the building of God’s Kingdom. Through generous support like theirs, The United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas is able to put their faith to work supporting students like Leah in her pursuit of a seminary education.
To learn more about giving in support of seminary students, visit The United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas’ website at umfa.org or call 501-664-8632.