My husband Zachary has been accepted into four top theology PhD programs(!)—but we may have to turn them down.
Not because he isn’t qualified. After 10 years of study—earning a Bachelor’s and two Master’s degrees while working and helping raise our three young children—this is exactly the opportunity he has worked toward.
The challenge is simple: we cannot afford to say yes on our own.
Why this opportunity matters:
Zachary has been accepted to internationally respected programs, including the University of Edinburgh, University of St Andrews, University of Aberdeen, and Calvin Theological Seminary.
His goal is to become a professor—teaching students, mentoring future pastors and leaders, and creating theological resources that serve the church for years to come.
This isn’t just about a degree. It’s about the long-term impact of a life spent teaching, writing, and investing in others.
Our reality:
We are a family of five with three children under six.
A PhD is a full-time commitment. While Zachary studies, I will be caring for our children and working part-time as much as possible.
Even with loans and potential scholarships, there is still a large financial gap:
Tuition: ~$30,000–$40,000 per year
Basic living expenses: ~$58,000–$75,000 per year
If we study in the UK, we are also required to show significant upfront funds for immigration approval.
What we’re asking:
We are raising $110,000 to cover our first year—the critical step that allows us to begin.
Every gift—large or small—moves us closer to being able to say yes.
To make this tangible:
$25 helps cover a day of groceries
$100 helps support our children’s needs for a week
$500 helps cover visa and relocation costs
Monthly support helps sustain us through the journey
Why we’re asking publicly:
This is not easy for us.
But we believe this opportunity is worth pursuing—not just for our family, but for the students, churches, and communities Zachary hopes to serve in the future.
We are doing everything we can on our end—working, applying for funding, and taking on loans—but we cannot close the gap alone.
If you choose to support:
Thank you. Truly.
We don’t take it lightly that anyone would give their money to support our family.
We plan to:
Share regular updates along the journey
Create thoughtful theological content for those who want it
Stay connected with those who make this possible
If you can’t give:
Sharing this page helps more than you might think.
Why Now:
This is a narrow window. Opportunities like this don’t come often.
Your support helps turn years of work into a real path forward.
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PostScript:
If you do choose to sponsor us and would like to stay updated as this journey progresses, we plan to write a monthly newsletter and would love to share it with you. In addition, Zachary plans to create a theological resource for our donors. We are still solidifying the format and are looking for input on what would be of most value to most people. If you would like to receive our newsletter and/or the theological resource, please complete this Google Form.
We are setting a $110,000 goal*, which would cover the first year's full costs, but we will keep this page updated and adjust the goal if Zachary receives any major scholarships**. Thank you for your support!
*(Listed goal was updated on the page due to a generous monthly support pledge given privately).
**(We also, of course, will return all donations if for any reason Zachary is not able to accept a PhD program).
If you are interested in learning more about Zachary and this journey, I sat him down for some interview questions and captured them on video (see below). (I apologize for the baby noises in the background).
In addition to this, if you would like to connect with us to ask more questions before contributing, please feel free to contact us (messaging provided in GoFundMe), and we would be happy to talk with you and answer questions or share more.
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