Accredited Ministry Development of the Church of God of Prophecy announced on June 7, 2019 the creation of the Elva Howard Women in Leadership Scholarship. This new academic scholarship will be awarded to a female student who is enrolled in one of the academic programs and is fully engaged in ministry outside of the United States serving as a pastor, evangelist, or local/regional church leader.
Elva Howard was born on August 6, 1922. She received a very clear call to ministry as a child. In the early fifties Elva began to dream that young people would come together in a natural setting for fellowship, discipleship, and ministry training. That dream came true when the first Church of God of Prophecy youth camp was held in Story, Wyoming. Camping ministries continue to be an effective tool in evangelism, discipleship and ministry training throughout the world.
After pastoring the local church in Sheridan, Wyoming for seven years, she, her husband Frank, and their children moved in 1957 to Cleveland, Tennessee so that Elva could teach in church’s private high school, Tomlinson Memorial. Her father had predicted many years before that she would one day teach in a Church of God of Prophecy school. During those years Elva completed her bachelor’s degree in education at Tennessee Wesleyan College.
In 1965 Elva was appointed as the Women’s Missionary Band Director for the Church of God of Prophecy. This appointment propelled her to act on behalf of women. She was guided by a vision of women receiving Spirit led ministry so that they could lead in ministry with freedom and spiritual authority. The first Ladies’ Retreat for the Church of God of Prophecy was held in 1974. This ministry continues to flourish ministering to women locally, regionally and nationally throughout the world.
On June 7, 2018 Elva Howard passed from this life into the presence of her heavenly Father. Her spiritual influence continues through those she served in pastoral ministry, youth camps, women’s ministries, as well as in private, 1-on-1 times of counseling and intercession.
Applicants for the Elva Howard Women in Leadership Scholarship must be a member of the Church of God of Prophecy who are currently involved in or desire to prepare for full-time Christian ministry in the Church of God of Prophecy. The applicant should hold ministerial credentials with the Church, be in the process of securing such credentials, or commit to begin the process during that term. Following successful submission of the application, additional information will be requested verifying participation in local/regional church ministry.
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