Crosslinks will continue to support the current students and their successors in the Lord's work. Could your church help? If you'd like to find out more about BEST and student sponsorship, contact Janet Ricketts at the Crosslinks London office.

Study partners are ordinary people, sometimes ordained but often lay, whom Crosslinks funds for a course of study. Students supported by Crosslinks were once known as bursars, but with the changing times came a change of name. 

Some study partners follow certificate-level courses at a Bible college, at the end of which they will have gained enough theological knowledge to pastor their home church. Other study partners are following degree-level courses. On completion these degree-holders often work as tutors in their own dioceses.

Of the 70 current Crosslinks study partners only two are studying in the UK. Most are in India, Kenya and Tanzania, and a good number of these are studying in their home country. Crosslinks has made a conscious decision to support students at home for a number of reasons, including:

There is no need to "cross cultures". A significant amount of study time is lost while adapting to a new culture, something mission partners discover for themselves when travelling from the British Isles to other countries and study partners find when coming here from overseas. Also, on completion of their course, the graduates can slot straight back into their home culture and begin to put their new-found skills to immediate use.

Greater value for money. The cost of a UK degree for an overseas student can be £20,000 per annum. That same student could pursue an equivalent course in Kenya, for example, for 10% of the cost. The investment goes a lot further in same-culture training.

Advantages

Crosslinks wants to make better use of these advantages. To that end, it has set up the BEST Programme.

What is BEST?  BEST (Bursaries Enabling Strategic Training) aims to link churches in the UK and Ireland with students around the world. To begin with a church may offer a financial donation toward the college fees of a student. Crosslinks will then match the donor church with a student, taking into account the level of funding, duration of the support and the location the church has an interest in. It is preferable for a church to support a student throughout the whole of their studies - in this way, a relationship is established and the student becomes an important part of the church community.

Gordon Olang (pictured above), aged 37, has his home in Machakos, Kenya. Since September 2001, Gordon has been studying for a Higher Diploma in Theology at Carlile College in Nairobi, Kenya (where Crosslinks mission partner David Williams serves as Principal).

Effective

Gordon said: "The course has really opened my eyes and sharpened my vision. I have gained theological understanding through practical placements and missions, and have learned that effective evangelism is a key component of the church. Cultures must be taken into account and the Gospel should be preached to all peoples.

"I take time praying for Carlile College and for my brothers and sisters who have sponsored me to study the Word of God."

Does Gordon think that he is better equipped for ministry now? What would he say to anyone considering supporting a study partner through BEST?

"I believe that I will be fully equipped to serve the church of Christ as an Assistant. I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit which gives me power to do the work of God."

Who's BEST?  Read about some other BEST students

General information on BEST 

Crosslinks magazine November 2002 index