Pacific Scholarships with East Caribbean Baptist Mission
Annual scholarships for Pacific pastors and academics through the ECBM Benevolent Fund.
Partnerships · Haddon Institute
Brisbane, Australia – August 26, 2025
Haddon Institute, a Christ-centred Reformed theological education provider based in Brisbane, Australia, and the East Caribbean Baptist Mission (ECBM), a missionary society dedicated to advancing the Gospel in Antigua & Barbuda and beyond, today announced a groundbreaking strategic partnership. This collaboration, facilitated through the ECBM Benevolent Fund, will provide annual scholarships for Pacific pastors and academics, fostering spiritual and intellectual growth in the Pacific region to elevate its stature before man and God propelled by the reality of Christ’s eternal reign.
The partnership aligns with the shared Baptist heritage and mission-driven ethos of both organisations. Haddon Institute is committed to equipping the next generation of church leaders through multiple elements including rigorous theological education, research, and its flagship conference - Spurgeon Conference. With a focus on Reformed principles, Haddon Institute publishes original research via its Haddon Institute Research Journal (HIRJ) and partners with institutions like Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary to advance Christ-centred scholarship via the force multipliers of honouring Charles Spurgeon’s life, memory, and ministry philosophy.
Similarly, the East Caribbean Baptist Mission, under the leadership of Executive Director Hensworth W. C. Jonas, GCH, Ed.D., serves as a circuit of churches emphasising evangelism, church planting, and education through initiatives like the Baptist Academy of Antigua and the Caribbean Baptist Heritage Conference. Both entities draw from timeless principles in Christ's kingdom, including the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), which calls believers to make disciples of all nations, baptise them, and teach them to obey Christ's commands.
"This partnership embodies the unity of Christ's body across oceans, uniting the Caribbean's rich missionary legacy with the Pacific's emerging leadership potential," said Keith Sanga, President of Haddon Institute. "By investing in scholarships, we honour the eternal truth that knowledge rooted in Scripture equips servants to build God's kingdom, enabling the primacy of the local church and its growth and academic excellence that glorifies Him."
Dr. Hensworth W. C. Jonas, Executive Director of ECBM, added: "The Caribbean and Pacific regions share a profound responsibility in advancing Christ's kingdom. As stewards of the Gospel in island nations, we are called to support one another in fulfilling the Great Commission—evangelising unreached communities, strengthening academia with biblical worldview, and nurturing local churches for sustainable growth. Through the ECBM Benevolent Fund, these scholarships will empower Pacific pastors and scholars to rise in stature, contributing to a global movement where every tribe and tongue proclaims Christ's lordship."
The scholarships will cover theological training, research opportunities, and leadership development, targeting individuals committed to serving Pacific communities. This initiative underscores the interconnected roles of the Caribbean and Pacific in global Christianity: the Caribbean, with its established circuits of churches and educational academies, provides mentorship and resources drawn from decades of faithful ministry; the Pacific, vibrant with cultural heritage and gospel potential, amplifies this through contextualised outreach and academic contributions that enrich the broader body of Christ. Together, they exemplify principles of stewardship, discipleship, and mission partnership, ensuring the church's expansion in both academia and grassroots evangelism.
Haddon Institute is a Brisbane-based organisation dedicated to Christ-centred Reformed theological education. Led by President Keith Sanga, it equips church leaders through conferences, research journals, and partnerships, passionate about equipping the next generation for gospel impact.
About East Caribbean Baptist Mission
East Caribbean Baptist Mission is a missionary society based in Antigua & Barbuda, overseeing a circuit of churches focused on evangelism, education, and community outreach. Under Executive Director Hensworth W. C. Jonas, GCH, Ed.D., it advances the Gospel through pastoral leadership, the Baptist Academy of Antigua, and regional conferences.