Global Seminary Initiative
International Student Scholarships • The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Today, the single most frequent and fervent request received by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod from partner and non-partner Lutheran church bodies around the world is to share our theological treasures. Christians, especially those who have heard the pure Gospel from Lutheran mission efforts, want to be taught Lutheran theology.
One of the most impactful ways The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod strengthens global confessional Lutheranism is through sound, vigorous theological education that prepares future Lutheran pastors and leaders to shepherd their own church bodies.
Our LCMS seminaries, pastors and theologians are recognized as being among the greatest pillars of knowledge in the Lutheran theological community. Our two world-class seminaries currently have the capacity and capability to train dozens if not hundreds of international Lutheran church pastors for service as leaders and professors. GSI students are another opportunity to support and also steward the blessings that are our two seminaries.
The Global Seminary Initiative (GSI) serves a unique role in proclaiming the Gospel to all nations. GSI equips and supports international partner church pastors and future leaders through sound theological education, beginning with the scriptural and confessional view of the Office of the Ministry and of the Church.
GSI focuses resources and expertise along two distinct fronts:
Scholarships to Attend LCMS Seminaries
GSI brings to our LCMS seminaries qualified pastors from the international community who are candidates to serve one day as partner church presidents and faculty in their country or region. They work to earn the advanced degrees required for those roles.
GSI-LCMS seminary scholarships remove barriers for candidates who, for financial reasons, could not otherwise take this important step. Currently, 31 future international Lutheran leaders attending Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne are eligible to receive this support from GSI-designated contributions.
GSI scholarships for these students — and the many who want to attend our seminaries — are such a high priority that Synod, Inc. and both seminaries have committed to collaborate on the annual campaign to raise the necessary funds. Contributions given through the LCMS will be split equally between the two seminaries. (Note: If you prefer to support GSI at the seminary you prefer, such as a pastor wishing to support his alma mater, you can contribute directly to that seminary.)
Donate
Sending LCMS Experts to Teach Overseas (Faculty Expertise)
For small Lutheran seminaries, faculty expertise is a precious resource. GSI gifts can send LCMS seminary and university faculty, or qualified parish pastors and missionaries, to teach courses for short periods of time. GSI helps fill knowledge gaps among select international seminaries and ensures that students are as well-equipped as possible.
Donate
General Gifts to the Global Seminary Initiative
GSI depends entirely on donor-designated gifts to provide scholarships for students from emerging and partner church bodies to attend our seminaries and to send faculty and qualified LCMS pastors to teach around the world.
For those who desire to support both areas of work described above, you can make sure there are resources available through a general gift to the Global Seminary Initiative.
Donate: GSI general
Many years ago, the LCMS began to plant seeds that have provided a strong foundation and example for worthwhile mission in global seminary education. We started more than a century ago in India (1895) and later Brazil and Argentina. The LCMS then spent the next several decades teaching Lutheran theology and training future leaders in half a dozen more countries.
This is part of our legacy as a church body in the world. GSI is yet one more vital facet of how the LCMS vigorously makes known the love of Christ through its commitment to solid pastoral formation and care.