April 9, 2011

• Heading East to Westminster Seminary

  For the last seven years, I’ve been involved on campus in Christian ministry for college students. After graduating with a degree in Psychology degree in May of ’09, I was called to take a greater role for leadership and instruction from God’s Scripture in an attempt to be relevant, insightful and applicable for students. God worked through these times. I felt God called me to pursue further training for ministry — not only for the local church, but also for collegiate education. Thus I picked up and completed another major (philosophy) in 2010, and continued to save up money for seminary. I graduated without any student loans. As I was preparing myself and setting aside funds, God gave me an opportunity to be involved with Campus Crusade for Christ. Through this ministry, my whole orientation toward evangelism changed, and my desire to get deeper in God and grow spiritually only increased.

  My heart’s desire was to get into a strong Reformed school for some solid training and acquire a masters in Theological Studies. This two-year program will give me an understanding of the original languages (Greek, Hebrew, etc.), as well as the necessary systematic theology, which is a critical foundation for further study in a doctoral program (or if God would so press my heart to change to a pastoral program, adding but a year more). As such, I applied to and was accepted by Calvin, Covenant and Westminster theological seminaries. It was a hard decision, but I will be enrolled at Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia, PA), starting courses in Greek on July 25th. I will move and set up camp in the middle-to-end of June. Needless to say, I am sincerely excited!

  Now, no doubt God has blessed me with the opportunity to save up funds to go, however I also see some specific big-ticket items prior to enrolling that I will need to buy. For one, my desktop computer is 12 years old, whose harddrive is failing and processor hardly runs current software. A newer, refurbished laptop that was graciously given to me last Fall has now no working screen (not due to damage but rather age). Thus, in short, I have no reliable computer for research. In addition to a working computer, there are textbooks, reference books, software, other computer equipment, traditional supplies (paper, writing utensils, etc.), and so on. These all together come to roughly $2,665.00.

  Now, though I have some funds in my savings account(s), they will be depleted before the completing the two-year program. I do not want to take out large loans or have a debt weighing down on me, since college professors are paid peanuts when they just start, church congregations are not set up to pay salary for ministers who are in the hole, and I may be called to leave the United States to minister over seas. Loans can be a burden, and I want to respond to God’s calling without tethering myself down, being a slave to the lender. Even so, I will be working a part time job in the area, and will be active in a local church while at seminary. And I am not sure whether I will have any financial aid given to me. In saying all this, I am praying for support and that God will provide.

  For those who are encouraged in God’s work my life and who see this next step as an investment in God’s work, you have the opportunity to join in my ministry. Please pray about whether you should give a donation from what God has given. If giving nothing, at least pray that God would give me wisdom and be effective with the time He has given me. But if you do feel God might be calling you to help out financially, remember that any and every amount is helpful. Someone might ask, “well, what size gift is appropriate?” Honestly, pray about it. Know where you stand financially and whether this is a worthwhile investment; be a good steward of God’s money. Also, if you want to know how far a gift will go, $10 is probably more helpful than you realize, since it will help with supplies (devices, paper, etc.) for doing homework and other ministry. $100 can buy me a textbook for a class. The software (Logos) is $630, so other amounts donated will be combined toward acquiring that software.

  You can click the following link and it will take you to a secure site for donating directly to my account (allowing you to write a note, I believe). And since it is PayPal, I know your information is safe and they can accept major credit/debit cards (MasterCard, Visa, etc.)

  

  Before you give, please pray about it.

  I will need to make these significant purchases prior to June 15th, 2011.

  If you would desire to speak with me, I am pleased to. I am passionate about this and would love to share. In particular, if you are wondering where the money goes, the technical details of giving, tax code, and time frame in which it is needed, please feel free to contact me. (my phone is best)

  Grace and peace
  Jonathan Vajda

  • 2:40 pm
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