The purpose of this endowment is to assist students who plan to work cross-culturally and require assistance to fund their education at Denver Seminary. Dr. Gerald and Tiann Buker had hearts for missions. Gerald’s parents were missionaries in Burma. He was born and spent his early childhood years on the mission field. Although he did not become a career missionary, Gerald used his surgical skills to minister to the physical needs of others on several short-term mission trips. His wife, Tiann, with a background in education, accompanied him on these trips. She delighted in connecting with people and helping to teach missionary children. Reaching others for Christ was a theme in the lives of Gerald and Tiann. They hosted many missionaries in their home and faithfully supported missionaries financially throughout their lives together. Although both Gerald and Tiann are rejoicing in the presence of the Lord, their desire to further the gospel continues through this scholarship. Romans 10:14-15 is representative of their motivation behind this scholarship.
- Recipient(s) can be a full-time student or part-time student (as established by the Seminary catalog) at Denver Seminary, enrolled in a Masters’ level program, pursuing their degree residentially or online. The recipient must have the stated ministry goal of working in international missions. If no student qualifies, the scholarship will be open to other students who have the stated goal of working cross-culturally (i.e. immigrants, Native Americans, refugees, and others nationalities) in the United States.
- Recipient(s) must demonstrate financial need and be in good academic standing as determined by the Financial Aid Committee of the Seminary;
- Scholarship may be renewed each year until the recipient graduates, as long as the recipient(s) meets the above criteria and the degree is completed within the time period stated in the catalog.