Many students who want to attend college find themselves held back by the cost of tuition. But thanks to the generosity of a North Central University donor, 12 students will be able to attend school without worrying about how they’ll pay for it.
Vice President for Business, Operations, and Advancement Tim Hager, D.Min., recently announced a major gift commitment of $480,000 that will fully fund 12 student scholarships under The AGWM Pennington Scholarship , allowing students from missionary families to attend college. He said this latest donation will help even more students achieve their dreams.
“This is a dream come true for many hardworking missionary families who have wanted to send their kids to college,” Hager said. “With this generous gift, we are able to continue on the tremendous legacy of raising up missionaries and pastors and taking care of them with an excellent college education.”
The scholarships will be available for the next four years, giving students the opportunity to get a great education without worrying about how they’ll pay for it.
Hager also noted that in the past year $90,000 has been raised to support the new Arab World Scholarship, which supports students who will be trained to serve in specific areas of the world where the Good News of the Gospel is not readily available.
Alleviating a burden
The AGWM scholarship program was created in 2018 to alleviate the financial burden of college tuition for children of AGWM missionaries, allowing them to continue the Lord’s work in the field of their calling. North Central University President Scott Hagan, Ph.D., recalled how the scholarship came to be. “When I heard there were missionaries who were leaving the field because they could not afford to send their kids to college, it broke my heart,” Hagan explained. “We are providing full-tuition scholarships for all qualified dependent children of Assemblies of God World Missionaries.” Since its inception, more than 64 students have been able to attend North Central tuition-free.
The scholarship was renamed the AGWM Pennington Family Scholarship in 2020 to honor the life of one “missionary kid,” Micah Pennington, a North Central student who passed away unexpectedly that year. His family represents all families who have faithfully sacrificed and served in overseas missions, and all who serve to bring the Gospel “so that all may know” the redeeming news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Hager noted that North Central is committed to continuing these and other scholarships that will advance Kingdom work worldwide and welcomes the prayers and support of its donor community. More information about scholarship donation opportunities is available at northcentral.edu/give.
Written by Nancy Zugschwert
