To connect emerging Christian scholars to resources, local communities, and wider networks. Learn more…
We often have experienced Christian professors tell us:
- No other Christians encouraged their decision to pursue graduate school.
- No one was there to support them when they faced a crisis of faith.
- No one knew how to help them integrate their vocations as both professors and believers.
We want it to be different for the next generation of Christian Scholars. Through the labors of InterVarsity’s Graduate & Faculty Ministries, support has been extended to the next generation of Christian scholars via on campus and online resourcing. As part of this ministry, the Emerging Scholars Network (ESN) seeks to connect a vibrant community of Christian academics to each other for encouragement as they take next steps in their academic journey. We are at a key moment in that quest. Through the foundation laid by the Scholar’s Compass project and connections to InterVarsity Graduate and Faculty campus groups, God has given us:
- an online community of Christian academics eager to share their experience and wisdom.
- partners like the American Scientific Affiliation excited to work together on initiatives such as conference tracks designed especially for emerging scholars.
- plans to connect Christian scholars through Google hangouts
But we do not yet have the resources to expand our ministry in 2016. God is blessing us abundantly with opportunity beyond our capacity. Will you join us in responding to that generosity by making a regular financial commitment? We are at a crucial moment of ESN’s growth (more on that soon). Even $5 a month would make a huge difference in our ability to connect Christian academics further.
Here’s what one current graduate student says about ESN:
The Emerging Scholars Network has been the main point of intersection between my faith and my scholarly pursuits. With the connections that I have made through the ESN and the vast amount of resources that the network has provided, I now feel far more confident about being a Christian in a largely pluralistic and postmodern profession. As a graduate student, I don’t feel so alone anymore as I know that the ESN and Intervarsity are behind me. Furthermore, I absolutely cannot wait to become involved in a faculty group down the road as God calls me to be a light in a secular university. – Josh, graduate student in history, Auburn
We ask you to prayerfully consider joining us in supporting emerging scholars like Josh in the New Year.
Thank you for your care for ESN, your prayers, and your generosity.
To God be the glory!
In Christ,
Thomas B. Grosh IV, Associate Director, Emerging Scholars Network
Hannah Eagleson, Emerging Scholars Network editor/writer
About the author:
Tom enjoys daily conversations regarding living out the Biblical Story with his wife Theresa and their four girls, around the block, at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church (where he teaches adult electives and co-leads a small group), among healthcare professionals as the Northeast Regional Director for the Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA), and in higher ed as a volunteer with the Emerging Scholars Network (ESN). For a number of years, the Christian Medical Society / CMDA at Penn State College of Medicine was the hub of his ministry with CMDA. Note: Tom served with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA for 20+ years, including 6+ years as the Associate Director of ESN. He has written for the ESN blog from its launch in August 2008. He has studied Biology (B.S.), Higher Education (M.A.), Spiritual Direction (Certificate), Spiritual Formation (M.A.R.), Ministry to Emerging Generations (D.Min.). To God be the glory!
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