This will be our 16th year partnering with Belhaven University to honor Mississippi high-school seniors with outstanding servant hearts and Christian character. Two finalists (one boy and one girl) will each receive a $2,000 scholarship to the college or university of his or her choice.  

In addition to being featured on the cover of the March 2024 issue of Mississippi Christian Living, 20-30 finalists will be honored at a special event in spring 2024 at Belhaven, where we will host dynamic speakers and workshops and a reception and awards ceremony for finalists and their families. The two scholarship winners will be announced at the awards ceremony.

It is essential that you follow the application instructions precisely in order to be considered. Also, you will be judged on both the content and the quality of your writing, so please proofread! Winners will be selected by a panel of Christian community leaders. 

The application deadline is Friday, October 6, 2023. If you have questions or need more information, please email katie@mschristianliving.com.  

Christian Leaders of the Future, class of 2024 

Application instructions

Carefully read ALL of the following instructions. ONLY properly submitted applications will be considered.

In order to apply, you will send us ONE email containing the following:

1. Your application, plus 1 to 3 signed recommendation letters, TOGETHER IN ONE PDF ATTACHMENT. (Merge PDFs at https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/online/merge-pdf.html. Be sure your application appears first, then the letters, in the new PDF. Download and save.)
2. Basic information about yourself and your family, IN THE BODY OF THE EMAIL. (This information is for MCL use only and will not be disclosed to the judges.)
3. Your recommendation letter writers’ email addresses, COPIED IN THE “CC” FIELD.

NOTE: Do not send a link to your PDF via a file-sharing service. Include the file itself as an attachment.

DETAILED DIRECTIONS

APPLICATION: Your application will consist of your answers to the following questions. Please proofread!

1. Briefly describe a specific situation where you lived out your faith in a way that was challenging. (250 words max)
2. Briefly share how you came to know Christ. (250 words max)
3. What activities are you involved in at church, at school and in the community? (200 words max)
4. What is your favorite Bible passage and why? (200 words max)
5. What Christian leader in your life has impacted you the most, and how? (200 words max)
6. How do you plan to live out your faith intentionally in a world that is becoming increasingly antagonistic toward Christianity? (250 words max)
7. What career do you believe God might be calling you to pursue, and why? (100 words max)

RECOMMENDATION LETTERS (1 to 3)

You must include at least 1, but no more than 3, signed letters of recommendation from teachers, pastors, mentors, employers and/or community leaders who have firsthand knowledge of your Christian heart and leadership. The letters must NOT display any LOGO of the person’s school, church, company or organization, though these entities may be mentioned in the letter. Letters must NOT come from family. 300 words max per letter.

BASIC INFORMATION (include in the body of the email)

• Your name
• Name of high school and graduation year
• Church where you attend or are a member
• Your mailing address, city and ZIP code
• Your email address
• Your phone number
• Father’s name and employer if applicable
• Mother’s name and employer if applicable
• Best phone number and email address to reach each parent if applicable

Send katie@mschristianliving.com ONE email containing ALL of the above no later than 11:59 p.m. Friday, October 6, 2023. Thank you!