Ezekiel - A CFNA Scholar for 10 Years!

Ezekiel Jr.

Ezekiel Jr personifies what the CFNA Adopt a Student Scholarship Program is all about. Now a sophomore at Lutheran High South, he has received scholarships since he was a first-grader at Word of Life Lutheran School. Ezekiel came to the United States with his family from Sierra Leone when he was a young boy. According to Ezekiel and his father, his experiences at Word of Life and Lutheran South “have shaped him so much, both in terms of attitudes and behaviors.” Until the recent isolation created by the COVID pandemic, Ezekiel was not only active in his Christ-centered schools but also at Timothy Lutheran Church, where he served as an acolyte, was confirmed, and was an active member of the youth group.

According to Ezekiel Sr, the CFNA scholarship program was an “incredible opportunity for the Samking family to raise a child with help from both the church and school.” Ezekiel Sr is now returning that service by serving as Timothy’s delegate to the Lutheran High School Association.

Ezekiel, whose smile will be recognized by donors who have supported his scholarship over the years, talked about the benefits, namely: “the opportunity to go to great schools that are Christ-centered.” But he raised another interesting point: “It is good to know there are people out there who are supporting me and my family in our journey, people who want me to succeed.”

Ezekiel is thriving at Lutheran South and excited that this spring he will be able to represent his school as a sprinter in track meets (all of which were canceled last spring). He also runs for a track club and is hoping to qualify for the Junior Olympics in Houston this summer. He has been taking an interior design course this spring as an elective, in anticipation of pursuing a career as an interior designer.

Now in its 14th year, this ministry has provided scholarship assistance to approximately 75 New American students. Fully 80 percent of the recipient families have become active in the LCMS congregations, and more than 90 percent of the students have completed their academic study programs. In other words, this has been one of the most dynamic of all the CFNA sponsored ministries.

Should you wish to support New American scholarship students like Ezekiel, you may send your gift to CFNA, 4019 S. Grand Blvd. 63118, or donate online.

By Judith Meyer
Facilitator, CFNA Scholarship Assistance Ministry