NYTS and Christ Apostolic Church announce The Abraham A. Oyedeji Scholarship

NEW YORK THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AND CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH (FIRST IN THE AMERICAS) ANNOUNCE THE INAUGURATION OF THE ABRAHAM A. OYEDEJI SCHOLARSHIP

New York Theological Seminary and Christ Apostolic Church (First in the Americas) are pleased to announce the creation of the Abraham A. Oyedeji Scholarship at New York Theological Seminary.  The scholarship is named in honor of Abraham Adegoke Oyedeji, founding Pastor of Christ Apostolic Church (First in the Americas) in Brooklyn, New York, and currently one of five Chairmen providing leadership to congregations associated with Christ Apostolic Church in the United States.

Dr. Oyedeji was born in Owo-ope, in the Olujide Ruling House Compound in Gbongan, Nigeria.  The son of a chief, he is married to Rebecca Abiodun Oyedeji.  The couple came to the United States in 1971, bringing with them 10 hymnbooks of Christ Apostolic Church and a copy of the Christ Apostolic Church constitution in both English and Yoruba.  They had only been worshipping in a congregation in New York City for a short period of time when the leader of the church departed, leaving the Oyedejis in charge.  The congregation soon was formally aligned with Christ Apostolic Church in Nigeria and Abraham Oyedeji was ordained in 1986.  A few years later he began his journey through New York Theological Seminary, completing first the Master of Divinity and later the Doctor of Ministry degrees.  The congregation of Christ Apostolic Church (First in the Americas) moved during this time to 622 Cortelyou Road in Brooklyn, New York, where today it carries on a vibrant ministry under the guidance of Dr. Oyedeji and others.

Christ Apostolic Church is one of several African Initiated Churches (AICs) that were formed at the beginning of the 20^th century in West Africa and are often known as the Aladura churches.  The origins of Christ Apostolic Church are found in the ministries of David Odubanjo in Lagos, and later Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola in Oke-Oye, Ilesa, Nigeria.  Congregations associated with Christ Apostolic Church are now located throughout the world, including in many major urban areas in the United States and Canada.  The Abraham A. Oyedeji Scholarship is one of the first such scholarships to be established by a member of Christ Apostolic Church to support graduate theological education in North America.

New York Theological Seminary was founded in 1900 as a non-denominational school training religious leadership in the urban context.  Previously known as The Biblical Seminary in New York, the school began in the 1970s to focus its educational efforts more intentionally upon training church and other religious leadership in the urban context.  The Seminary currently offers five degree and certificate granting programs and a host of capacity building resources for approximately 700 students and a wide range of religious communities in the New York Metropolitan region and around the world.  Located administratively in The Interchurch Center in New York City, the Seminary holds classes at The Riverside Church and in other sites throughout the New York City area, including in Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, New York.  New York Theological Seminary is recognized internationally for its innovative approaches to theological education, its ability to serve diverse urban constituencies, and its commitment to strong leadership training.

The Abraham A. Oyedeji Scholarship will be awarded annually to one or more students who are enrolled in a degree program at New York Theological Seminary.  Preference will be given to candidates who are members of Christ Apostolic Church (First in the Americas), but candidates who demonstrate a commitment to ministry among African and African Diasporan Churches, either in Africa or in other parts of the world will also be considered.  Candidates from Christ Apostolic Church must be certified by the pastor of Christ Apostolic Church (First in the Americas) in Brooklyn, New York, as being in good standing and endorsed for ministry.  Candidates who are not a member of Christ Apostolic Church will be asked to submit a one-page statement explaining their commitment to ministry among the African or African Diasporan churches.  Final selection of scholarship awards will be made by New York Theological Seminary.

For more information about the Abraham A. Oyedeji Scholarship, please contact the Director of Financial Aid at New York Theological Seminary at (212) 870-1211 or online at financial.aid@nyts.edu.