Current Scholars - United States

Our 2024 Scholars serving in the United States

Be sure to see how our scholar alumni are utilizing their Wheaton training in The United States.

Paul Arthurs
U.S. - Ministry Leadership

Kenneth T. Wessner Scholar

Paul is the senior pastor of Wheaton Christian Center, which has campuses in Carol Stream and Aurora, Illinois. Paul combines keen insight into the Scriptures with practical teachings and a passion for guiding people toward purposeful lives that honor God. He aims to use the knowledge gained from his degree to further equip himself with the necessary skills to lead his ministry in fulfilling its mission of transforming generations into followers of Christ.

Aaliyah Burch   
U.S. - Global Leadership   

Kenneth T. Wessner Scholar

Aaliyah recognizes the small number of missionaries of color being sent and would love to help spark a new wave of cross-cultural ministry through enhanced preparation. Aaliyah expects this degree to help her “educate others on this issue, promote diversity, and equip/prepare people of color to thrive in their missional work overseas.”

Cara Hambrick   
U.S. - Global Leadership   

Kenneth T. Wessner Scholar

Cara returns to Wheaton for her master’s degree to increase her ability to lead and equip diverse teams who help people out of poverty. She serves with CrossPurpose in Denver which provides personal and professional development services; certification for mid-level industry skills; and social capital-building through the local church.

Mollie Hansen
U.S. - Outdoor & Adventure Leadership

Adolph & Emma Hermann Scholar

Mollie is “praying that the Lord uses this (Wheaton) program to give me a vision of how I can integrate the skills acquired through HoneyRock, my gifts and passions, my love for running, and my eagerness for hospitality in order to be an ambassador for Christ, wherever He has me in the World.” As a pastor’s kid, she dreams of the establishment of a wilderness retreat for Christian leaders and their families one day.

Dan Johnson
U.S. - Leadership

Kenneth T. Wessner Scholar

Dan's life proves that God is working everywhere. He met the Lord thanks to an evangelistic friend who demonstrated the grace of Christ. In February 2001, Dan gave his life to Christ on a basketball court in rural Indiana. Transformation spread to his family and then spilled out to local churches. Now Dan pastors a multi-ethnic church in Durham, North Carolina. This M.A. will help Dan grow in a breadth of leadership areas to further disciple church members, launch a separate non-profit, and coach international church planters.

Marc Koquillon 
Haiti - Leadership

P. Kenneth & Catharine Gieser Scholar, Kenneth Hansen Memorial Fund

Marc serves as the National Director of The Navigators in Haiti, and the Country Director and Caribbean Regional Coordinator for Serve the City International. He expects the Wheaton degree to further develop his leadership skills for greater impact, having witnessed the “transformative power of compassionate, wise, and effective leadership in nurturing the spiritual growth of individuals and communities”. Marc is passionate about helping people meet Christ and discover their unique God-given gifts to serve others and the Kingdom. Ultimately, Marc aims to develop more influential disciples who will significantly impact their
spheres of influence for God.

Jonathan Old Horse 
Lakota Nation - Ministry Leadership

Kenneth T. Wessner Scholar

Jonathan met Jesus dramatically at the lowest point of his life. Now he has a sense of urgency to gain concepts from this degree to help bring healing to other Lakota. “So, the people will live, that is why we do these difficult things, for the life of our people.” Jonathan holistically pastors the Lakota in South Dakota and the Wheaton in the Black Hills community every summer.

Carlos Antonio Perez
U.S. - Missional Church Movements

Kenneth T. Wessner Scholar

Carlos is a Latino pastor and missionary with the Christian & Missionary Alliance in Rogers Park (Chicago). He also serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the Family Empowerment Centers, which was founded by an earlier Billy Graham Urban Scholar. Through this Wheaton program, Carlos is looking forward to collaboration with other missional-minded urban leaders and to be able to develop and implement missional strategies in his ministries.

Taylor Shelton 
U.S. - Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Kenneth T. Wessner Scholar

Taylor is a credentialed campus minister with Chicago Chi Alpha who has invested the past four years in discipling college students to become biblical and Spirit-empowered leaders. From helping Latino migrants in the Pilsen neighborhood to leading a mission trip in Tokyo, Taylor has a heart for service, cross-culturalism, and being a life-long learner. At Wheaton, she is beyond excited to discover and apply best practices for encouraging healthy mentalities for students and ministers alike. After graduation, Taylor sees herself as a resource for faith leaders and would like to create and teach seminars underscoring faith and mental health.