Lydia Scholarship

The Lydia Scholarship is a 1:1 matching scholarship to promote the raising up of female ministers for ministry in small local churches in the Southeast Section of the Iowa Ministry Network.

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Lydia was a woman raised up in her community for the work of the gospel.

We believe each community has its own Lydias, women who fear God, with gifts of hospitality and leadership to build up the kingdom of God.

  • Often times as people who have received a call to ministry go off to study, they are met with a debt load that inhibits them from returning to the average AG church of less than 100 members. The Lydia scholarship aims to raise up leaders who can remain invested in their local church, while equipping them for sustainable and healthy ministry in the long-haul.

  • Recipients of the Lydia Scholarship may receive up to half of the total cost of Northern Seminary’s Certificate in Pentecostal Ministry approx. $1750.00

    1. Recipients must apply and be accepted to Northern Seminary’s Certificate in Pentecostal Ministry program.

    2. Applicants must be actively serving in an Assemblies of God Church of less than 150 average attendees in the Southeast Section of the Iowa Ministry Network.

    3. Applicants must be women of godly character with a pastoral reference.

    4. Applicants must complete the application in a timely manner.

    5. Recipients must sign a pledge to continue serving in the small local church for the duration of their program.

    6. Recipients must sign a pledge to pursue credentialing with the AG Iowa Ministry Network upon completion of their program.

    **Members of Resurrection Assembly of God in Iowa City may not receive this scholarship.

  • This scholarship is funded by Resurrection Assembly of God’s 10% offering to local ministries.

    As such:

    1. Only one scholarship is awarded at a time.

    2. Awards are only available to churches outside of Resurrection Assembly of God and in line with all previously stated qualifications.

    3. There is no guarantee on the frequency of the availability of the scholarship (annual, biennial, etc.)

  • The selected recipient will meet with women ministers four times throughout the year for intentional mentorship.

    These meetings will provide encouragement, wisdom, accountability, and practical guidance as she grows in her ministry calling and leadership. Mentorship will also provide space to discuss healthy ministry practices, boundaries, rest, leadership, and the challenges of serving in ministry.

  • The selected recipient will partner with their local AG church of less than 150 attendees throughout the scholarship year.

    The church will work with the recipient to create a strategic leadership plan with meaningful opportunities to use her gifts and apply what she is learning in seminary.

    Participate in at least one board or leadership meeting with the recipient and scholarship ministry to discuss her calling, growth, and leadership opportunities.

    Provide at least one meaningful opportunity for the recipient to preach or lead during the year, creating space for the lead pastor to take a Sabbath while allowing the recipient to genuinely lead.