MBC Graduate Awarded Rotary World Peace Scholarship

Phillip Phiri, a Magnolia Bible College graduate, was recently awarded a Rotary World Peace Scholarship by Rotary International. Phiri was selected as one of 70 recipients chosen to study at one of seven prestigious universities worldwide.

Dr. Leslie E. Ferguson, Sr., former MBC president, recommended Phiri for the award and Dr. Larry Routt of the Kosciusko Rotary Club contacted Rotary International for their consideration. Phiri, the first winner from Mississippi, will complete his Master's Degree at International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan beginning in July.

A native of Zambia, Phillip will major in Public Administration with an emphasis in World Peace and Conflict Resolution beginning in July 2006. Along with helping him plan effective programs for the community, Phiri hopes to work with people of different backgrounds seeking resolutions to areas of conflict. He also plans to be active in administering a school for training native Africans to be preachers of the gospel. Phillip has an Advanced Diploma from Southern Africa Bible College. He served as Minister of Evangelism at the Chipata Church of Christ and the Kabwe Church of Christ before coming to MBC. In his work as executive director of New Life Behavior Ministries-Zambia (www.nlbmzambia.org), Phillip was able to teach behavioral transformation to prison inmates and establish support programs for orphans and women in the community.

Phillip preaches for the church in Maben, Mississippi. Phillip and Vorryne, along with their two children, plan to return to Zambia in February before leaving for Tokyo. They are currently seeking donations to assist them in their travels. If you can help, please contact Phillip at (662) 263-6191 or Home: (662) 263- 4829, E-mail: phillipphiri@hotmail.com. The elders at the South Huntington congregation in Kosciusko, Mississippi have agreed to oversee all such donations and any help can be sent via them or directly to Phillip.

--- Magnolia Messenger, Jan-Feb. 2006