Pastor Student Loan Repayment Grant
Donation protected
According to the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), the average debt incurred by borrowers graduating with an MDiv in 2018-2019 is $54,600. Clearly, this is a problem. Graduates should not have more student debt than what they will make in their first year of pastoring.
Moreover, many American Baptist Churches in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont cannot afford to pay full time salaries to their pastors.
Therefore, recent graduates, when faced with the reality of their student loans, and the prospect of low paying pastoral positions within the three regions, increasingly avoid opportunities for ministry in New England.
The Northern Baptist Education Society for generations has been supporting students as they become prepared for the ministry, and now we have the opportunity to help educated pastors serving local churches.
We now have an opportunity to break down the financial barrier facing recent graduates coming to serve in local churches in Northern New England by creating a Loan Repayment Assistance Program. We seek a creative solution that will work against prevailing trends to encourage educated pastors to come serve our local churches in our regions.
Moreover, many American Baptist Churches in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont cannot afford to pay full time salaries to their pastors.
Therefore, recent graduates, when faced with the reality of their student loans, and the prospect of low paying pastoral positions within the three regions, increasingly avoid opportunities for ministry in New England.
The Northern Baptist Education Society for generations has been supporting students as they become prepared for the ministry, and now we have the opportunity to help educated pastors serving local churches.
We now have an opportunity to break down the financial barrier facing recent graduates coming to serve in local churches in Northern New England by creating a Loan Repayment Assistance Program. We seek a creative solution that will work against prevailing trends to encourage educated pastors to come serve our local churches in our regions.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kathleen Blackey
Organizer
Winhall, VT
Douglas Tatreau
Beneficiary
