GWU student working in garden on mission trip

Christian Service Organization & Scholarships

The CSO provides scholarships to students answering God’s call on their lives to full-time vocational ministry.

Our History

In 1971, two members of the Gardner-Webb family, Dr. J. Thurman Lewis and the Reverend Charles W. “Buddy” Freeman, had a vision to provide financial assistance for students preparing for ministry. That dream gave birth to an organization of individuals, businesses and churches who has shared their passion for assisting students in preparing for ministry.

Whom we Assist

Our recipients exhibit excellent moral character and are answering God’s call to prepare for full-time Christian service. Scholarships are provided for both undergraduate students and students in the GWU School of Divinity.

Questions?

For further information about the Christian Service Organization, contact Kathy Bridges by phone at (704) 406-4245 or by email at [email protected].

Answering the Call

Every year, there are new applications for CSO and MEF scholarships from Gardner-Webb students answering God’s call to go where He is leading next.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…

Matthew 28:19
Selected
I am called to the Hands and Feet Project in Haiti, a mission organization whose mission is to care for Haiti’s orphans and fight to keep families together. The Lord continues to open doors and I want to walk through them in obedience.
— Elle Decoe, Psychology major, 2023
Selected
I feel called to lead a team to Kenya to work with missionaries in country. A trip there will be a trip of a lifetime, not just because of where we were going, but what the students will experience.
— Stacy Simmons, Associate Minister to the University for Pastoral Care
Selected
I’m called to the Greater Europe Mission: Ten2 Project Kosovo Plus. Working with missionaries, we'll lead worship in Albanian, practice hands-on ministry and engage in door-to-door evangelism.
— Mekenna Boswell, Missiology Major and Music Minor, 2021
Selected
My mom, a former missionary, taught me an old saying: “You can never fully shake the sands of Africa from your sandals.” God is calling me to take students to work with local pastors on community development projects and share the Gospel.
— Aaron Hinton, Associate Vice President for Advancement