For DonorsFor Applicants

Carmen V McMillan Memorial Scholarship

Funded by
user profile avatar
Jack McMillan
$1,800
1 winner$1,800
Awarded
Application Deadline
Apr 7, 2022
Winners Announced
May 7, 2022
Education Level
High School, Undergraduate
8
Contributions
Eligibility Requirements
Career of Interest:
Missionary

Carmen Veronica McMillan was a 17-year-old aspiring missionary student who passed away in a hiking accident on July 23, 2019. Carmen would have graduated high school the following year and had planned to enroll in missionary studies in college.

Created in her honor, the Carmen V McMillan Memorial Scholarship was established to help other aspiring missionaries to realize their dream. 

The ideal applicant loves people, loves God, and wants to dedicate their life to exemplifying these ideals. This person makes the most of their opportunities and has a history of displaying kindness to others.

To apply, tell us more about your path to becoming a missionary.

Selection Criteria:
Published June 11, 2021
Essay Topic

To apply, tell us why you want to become a missionary, where you would like to serve, and why.

400–600 words

Winning Application

Jenna Powers
Oconee County High SchoolWatkinsville, GA
People like Carmen, those whose lives are cut short, inspire us. They show us that the length of days is not a measure of a purposeful life. Carmen's life was full of promise. The magic is that her legacy is being kept alive by those who love her. This scholarship multiplies her desire to serve God through service. I will be starting my senior year of high school this August. My career aspiration is to become an architect. This does not sound like missionary work, but I will explain how it relates. The college that I will attend (upon acceptance) is Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. I already know that Belmont prides itself on sponsoring numerous mission trips during the academic year and over the summer. I have a friend who will be a freshman there for the 2021-2022 school year, and she signed up for a mission trip during her orientation last week. I plan to do the same. My goal is to complete at least one mission opportunity each year while I attend Belmont. My church cooperates with a congregation in Cuba. I was all set to go on a mission there when COVID hit. As soon as restrictions are lifted, I plan to travel and minister there. When I go, I will be helping with Bible school. I also plan to work to refurbish the facility where the church meets for its activities. I cannot wait! Maybe I think of being a missionary a little differently than most. The tendency is to limit the thought of missionary work to those who engage in it full time or to those who complete it on foreign soil. I define missionary work, for those who put their faith and trust in Jesus, as meaningful, intentional service anywhere and at any time. We all have unique gifts that need to be used to fulfill the Great Commission's mandate to "go and tell." As I think of my future career I see chances to use my architectural skills to foster shelter for those who need affordable housing- housing that can be constructed by unskilled short-term missions groups- and spaces that can be used for worship. It occurs to me that this is an unfulfilled need, for the most part, in the world of missionary activity. My contributions in this regard will further the Kingdom as I do my part to build basic needs for the people of God. I avail myself happily to maturing in my faith and architectural skills to a degree that I can personally help with the designs I will create or mentor others who can go in multiple directions at home and abroad to erect structures that will improve life and worship opportunities. It occurs to me that a grand scheme along these lines would be for me to create a non-profit organization that can assemble funding for mission groups that are willing to build. This is an exciting prospect.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Apr 7, 2022. Winners will be announced on May 7, 2022.