L.E.A.D scholarship helps Zambian Student

When Malvern Syaluse applied to Kuyper College in Grand Rapids, Mich., he knew that he wanted to pursue a career in ministry. He just wasn’t entirely sure how he was going to pay for his studies. That’s why the Leadership Equipping - Advocating Diversity (L.E.A.D) scholarship from Thrive was such a blessing to him, he said.

“I am originally from Zambia in the southern region of Africa,” the third-year, ministry leadership student explained. “My call is to become a full-time pastor active in not only leading a church but also serving as a missionary in different parts of the world.”

“I strongly believe that we are all coworkers for Christ Jesus,” he continued. “It should be our burden and passion to preach about God's love, grace, and salvation to all mankind. We should go out there as we have been commanded in Matthew 28, to ‘make disciples of all nations,’ as much as we are praying for the grace of God that brings ‘salvation to all people’ (Titus 2:11-14).”

Before attending Kuyper, Syaluse served as a full-time youth pastor with a local church in South Africa for three and a half years. And it was there that he realized a profound need for deeper theological knowledge and understanding.

“During my years as a youth pastor, I saw the desire and hunger people have for God, and they just don't know how to find the truth,” he said. “We lack people in ministry to reach out in the most isolated parts of Africa at large. I believe that with the knowledge I am receiving [at Kuyper] I will be able to share this knowledge and reach others so that, in turn, they can also call others to life through the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

But following the call to pursue more education was not easy for Syaluse. Not only did it take him far from his home, but it was also expensive. So he is thankful that a L.E.A.D scholarship became available to help him cover some of the costs.

Previously known as the “Race Relations Multiracial Student Scholarship,” the newly renamed L.E.A.D. Scholarship provides financial assistance to students of various ethnic minorities from around the world to encourage and develop multiracial congregational leadership. Normally, applicants will be members of CRCNA congregations and plan to pursue training in ministry leadership (broadly defined).

Recipients of this scholarship attend one of the higher-learning institutions affiliated with the denomination -- Calvin University, Dordt University, The King’s University, Redeemer University, Kuyper College, Trinity Christian College, and Calvin Theological Seminary. Ideally applicants also aspire to work for the CRCNA, a church in the Christian Reformed denomination, or an affiliate organization of the Christian Reformed Church (e.g., Therefore Go, GEMS, etc.).

“The scholarship has been a great resource for my financial aid,” Syaluse said. “I was trying to figure out what I needed to do, seeing that I was always owing the school in one way or the other with tuition fees. I am very grateful that I can now concentrate on my studies without worrying about where to get the tuition fees from.”

The application form for the 2025-2026 scholarship is now open. Students who are interested can learn more and apply using the online application . 

Anyone who would like to support this scholarship fund can give online.