We are excited to feature the latest scholarship recipient for the (Rev. Dr.) Clinton Buck Scholarship for the Program of Alternate Studies, Courtney Twisdale. Courtney is an elder in the Holly Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Church near Covington, TN where she is currently on staff as Youth Ministry Director. Courtney graduated from Tipton-Rosemark Academy and attended Tennessee Tech where she studied in the field of dental assistance. As a child she was positively influenced by devoted parents who were active leaders in the small Methodist congregation they attended. Courtney demonstrated strong gifts for ministry as a youth. She was given her own class at Vacation Bible School and became a go-to disciple group leader for church camps and conferences. Indeed, most of her ministry to date has been with youth and young adults. Holly Grove, with Courtney at the helm, has one of the most vibrant youth programs in the denomination. We are excited to come alongside her and help Courtney grow into the calling and be better equipped for ministry leadership ahead.
I hope everyone will get to know Courtney; kind and pleasant, brimming with life, bringing smiles to everyone she meets. All this reflects a powerful witness to the life transforming grace of Jesus. She is deeply committed to Christ and relishes a variety of life experiences. With her husband and two teenage sons, the Twisdales live outside of Atoka, TN. She loves horses, travel, and doing life with her soul mate, Bubba. She and Bubba just made an epic cruise to Alaska late summer, 2024, and she’s ready to go back. We rejoice that we are able to assist Courtney prepare for ordained ministry knowing that she will be a source of so much joyful ministry into the future. Let us give thanks to God who continues to call and equip those who will lead us in making disciples of all nations.
ABOUT THE BUCK SCHOLARSHIP FOR PAS:
Ronda Matlock Buck established the Rev. Dr. Clinton Buck Scholarship for PAS in 2021 to honor the lasting love Clinton had for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and theological education. Clinton devoted a long lifetime to preparing women and men for ministry through the seminary and teaching in PAS. The fund has the resources to pay all tuition for three students over the entirety of their studies through PAS. The scholarship is awarded based on a number of factors including need and promise of ministry usefulness in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The first awardee, Rev. Harold Benns, graduated in July. He has already been elected to serve as Stated Clerk of Brazos River Presbytery and Moderator of The Texas Synod of The Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America! The second awardee is Courtney. She took a full load of coursework this summer and is now very busy completing assignments meant to facilitate the praxis of learning and doing in a ministry context. Join in prayer for her and others who are still stepping up to say “yes” to the call. Clearly this effort to preserve the legacy of Dr. Buck and help provide future leadership for Cumberland Presbyterians is bearing fruit thanks to the creativity and generosity of God’s people!