Veda* is a theologian from South East Asia who was able to complete her PhD thanks to the support of Langham Partnership. She first discovered Langham while browsing Google for scholarship options.
She recalls, “I was not sure whether it was authentic. Before joining doctoral studies, I attended a Seminar where Bishop Graham Kings of Durham was present. I had a conversation with him about higher education, and asked whether this Langham Partnership is authentic. He assured me that you can contact them and gave me his blessings.”
Provision through uncertainty
The start to her PhD study wasn’t smooth and easy, it came with a lot of uncertainty and a need to trust God. Veda shares, “I had a deep desire to pursue my doctoral studies, but financially, there seemed to be no possibility. I originally got admission to Wales University with a half-scholarship. However, I was unable to continue without a full scholarship, I applied to Langham, but my application was not selected at first.”
Further complications arose when Veda’s husband got a local job that he had a commitment to stay in for five years, it meant that even if she got funded to study overseas, her family would have to remain in South Asia. She eventually pursued eligibility to do her PhD in her home country, and while this was successful, Veda still didn’t have the scholarship needed to make it possible.
That was until 2019, when after originally being unable to support her study locally, International Director Riad Kassis contacted Veda to say they’d figured out how they could fund her to study in her country!
Veda shares, “In that moment, I truly understood how God works in times of need. However, I missed opportunities to study abroad, and I sometimes felt very discouraged.”
The following year when COVID-19 impacted the world so significantly, it became clear to Veda how God had been caring for her by creating the opportunity for her to do her study at home. She says, “If I was somewhere abroad studying, and my kids and husband could not join, what would have been the situation? As I was in my country itself, I could return to where my husband was working during the major lockdown period. Then I understood that God has higher plans for all things happening, though sometimes we feel it as negative, hurting, or painful.”
Supported in study and enabled for the future
Veda studied from 2019 to 2022, and did her presentation to finalise her PhD on the book of Revelation in 2024. She explains, “My thesis specifically focused on the concept of waging war in Revelation 19, 20, and 21. I focused on the selected chapters and conducted a comparative analysis of the specific popular arts that emerged from the text. Analysing both, I explored how the texts psychologically affected readers or artists in conveying their depth of meaning.”
Involvement with Langham helped Veda connect with other scholarly peers from around the world, as well as connect with the Langham team and board. This support and community, as well as the ongoing coaching and consultation as part of being a Langham Scholar was highly valuable for her.
Veda shares, “The Asian Consultation (with Langham team and other scholars) was extremely enriching for me, helping me learn more about wider opportunities to grow both academically and spiritually and to connect with a wider theological context.”
Currently, Veda is working as an Associate Professor at one of the theological institutions. She also serves at her church each Sunday, she leads workshops, at times gives the message during the service and at women’s fellowship events. She also teaches classes for youth and children.
Veda has been teaching Bachelors level at college for over a decade, now she is looking to move into teaching Masters level programs in the New Testament. This isn’t available at her current college so she asks for your prayer as she ‘waits for God’s plan and opportunities.’
*Name changed for security reasons