Raising Money For Talbot Seminary

Dear Friends and Family,

This is a letter to update you on my current situation. As many of you know, I came from India, from a life in Hinduism as an International student to the United States in 2013. I became a Christian on January 12th 2016, a year after I finished a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering. Two months later, I moved to Southern California for a job and began serving at Saddleback Church, growing in my relationship with Jesus Christ.  After being laid off from my job this last May, I began a search for a new job, which God has closed many doors for some reason. After my initial disappointment, I began to seek the Lord and look for where He might be leading me. I recalled meeting with a friend during the summer of last year, who had also come from India as a student and later became a seminary graduate from Biola University. Before meeting him I had never heard of people getting an education in becoming better equipped for being an evangelist for Christ. He gave me a tour of Biola University, which has stayed with me to this day. At that time, I really wanted to become a seminary student as well, except I already had a degree and a job, and I didn’t want to risk making my family in India angry by leaving all that behind. Today, God has removed those obstacles from me, freeing me to accept the calling He put on my heart when I had visited Biola a year before.

                I have been accepted at Biola University for the Spring 2018 semester. Since I am coming in mid-year, I am currently not eligible for scholarships as I will be next year. I have no choice but to attend in this spring or else I would lose my visa, ending my stay in the United States and ending my only opportunity to attend Seminary. I cannot expect any help from my family in India, who still do not know I have become a Christian and would be against me studying to be an evangelist for Christ. I am looking for any aid that I can get this semester to supplement the cost of my classes, if the Lord puts it upon your heart. I have interviewed for On-Campus employment, which is allowed by my visa, but I won’t be able to work until after the semester begins. Biola University requires the majority of my tuition before Christmas. Please prayerfully consider whether you are able to participate in what the Lord is doing in my life, whether it is financially, or if it is just in prayer.  

                Thank you so much for those of you who have already supported me in prayer and has given me spiritual guidance. I am looking forward to this new chapter of my life that God is guiding me on. God bless you all and have a wonderful Christmas!

 

Sincerely,

Sachin Shinde