With deep gratitude to God and in the spirit of celebrating past educational and adventurous opportunities, the “Scholarship for International Travel” program, once offered for Grand Canyon Synod pastors ordained for 10 years or less, is now closed.
The program provided six scholarships of $6,000 over three years, made possible by the generosity of a synod pastor and spouse. Inspired by meaningful experiences in their own lives and ministries, the donors sought to make similar opportunities available to others. The fund was administered by the Grand Canyon Synod, offering travel options that included:
Palestine/Israel
Senegal (Église Luthérienne du Senegal, GCS companion church)
Eastern Germany (Luther/Holocaust history)
Mexico (Iglesia Lutherana Mexicana, GCS companion church)
Two individual pastors were awarded scholarships in 2022 – 2024, each receiving $6,000. Recipients could arrange their own travel or participate in trips organized by the GCS or ELCA, with funds required to be used within two years. The program’s commitment to diversity encouraged that at least one recipient each year be a BIPOC or LGBTQIA+ pastor.