THANK you to all our readers who are donating to this year’s Church Times Train-A-Priest (TAP) Fund appeal to assist ordinands in Africa. We are acutely aware that we are living in highly uncertain times in Lent 2022. The war in Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis, on top of two years of pandemic, mean that all of us are feeling the squeeze.
That said, the need continues. The current generation of African ordinands find themselves in precarious times, too. Your support makes a real difference to their lives as they work towards ordination.
Japheth Mikoye Oyalo
The Ven. J. W. Kofi deGraft-Johnson, General Secretary of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA), a co-ordinating body that reaches across the whole of the continent, administers TAP Africa bursaries on our behalf, and keeps us updated about some of the students helped by your generosity.
Japheth Mikoye Oyalo (right) is a second-year student in theology at St Philip’s Theological College in Maseno, Kenya. He sees his TAP Africa bursary as “proof of God’s continued faithfulness, kindness, compassion, and caring nature”, and a blessing that he does not take for granted.
“I have now concentrated on my studies without worrying about fees,” he writes. “I have also had peace of mind thus working hard towards success in my studies and preparation towards the holy ministry of shepherding God’s flock.”
He ends his letter with an appeal. “I pray that such opportunities could be availed to others who are in dire need to be able to achieve their dreams of being admitted into the ordained ministry of the Anglican Church.”
What you give to TAP Africa could be all that an ordinand has to fund his or her training. Please give generously, so that this year we can offer assistance to even more ordinands. Thank you.
How to donate to the TAP Fund
Every penny that you give goes to ordinands in Africa who face financial difficulty, to support them as they complete their training. Nothing is retained to cover administrative expenses, here or in Africa.
Donate online, quickly and securely. This is our preferred method: www.churchtimes.co.uk/train-a-priest-fund.
You can also give by cheque or charity voucher. Please make cheques payable to: “The TAP Fund” and send to: TAP Fund, Church Times, Hymns Ancient & Modern, 13a Hellesdon Road, Norwich NR6 5DR.
If you are a UK payer of income or capital gains tax, the Church Times, through the Hymns Ancient & Modern charity, can recover 25p for every £1 that you give through Gift Aid. If you are eligible, please indicate this when making an online donation, or complete the form in last week’s paper and send it with your cheque.