Jane Friesen Scholarship

Jane Friesen Scholarship

The Jane Friesen Scholarship was founded in 2016 to support students a Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) as they prepare for ministry and leadership in the church.

In keeping with the intent of the fund, priority consideration may be given to applicants who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• interested in spiritual direction

All qualified students are eligible to apply and will be considered. When applicants do not meet the preferred criteria, the scholarship may be awarded to other students who demonstrate financial need and alignment with the purposes of the fund.

As of June 30, 2025, the scholarship's market value was $136,188. The earnings are paid out annually to cover approximately 45% of tuition.

Support Jane’s scholarship

Click the big “Give Now!” button to give in U.S. dollars. If you’d like to give in Canadian dollars, click here.

If you prefer to donate by check, please make it payable to “AMBS,” note "Jane Friesen Scholarship" in the memo line, and mail it to 3003 Benham Ave., Elkhart, IN 46517.

More about Jane

Jane Friesen grew up in central Kansas, graduated from Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas with a degree in Social Work. After college, she married and became a devoted spouse, mother, and trusted friend to many. Jane spent time in her late twenties working for Mennonite World Conference in program planning for worldwide gatherings.

A person of deep faith, Jane took her first seminary class in suburban Chicago while in her later twenties, and then more when she and her family moved to Toledo, Ohio. When the family moved to Archbold, Ohio, Jane was gently prodded by her friend and pastor, Anne Stuckey, to go into the ministry, and she genuinely felt the call. She spent a number of years working toward her MDiv at AMBS. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2009 but continued her course work and was called to the pastoral team at Zion Mennonite Church in Archbold, a fulfillment of her calling. Jane fought her cancer for two and a half years, recording many of her thoughts and feelings in a blog followed by many. She earned her MDiv at age 55 in 2012, just two weeks before making the transition to Heaven.

We invite you to share this link with others who may wish to support this fund.