Waxahachie, TX
August 22, 2018 | Mikayla Heldt
The Riggs Scholarship , funded by the Assemblies of God (AG) , has been awarded to two Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) recipients, Elizabeth Mills and Aracelli (Cheli) Gonzalez. The two students will be attending SAGU for their first year in the fall.
“This scholarship was a really big blessing because it helped me get enough money for tuition, especially for my first semester,” Gonzalez says.
The Riggs Scholarship was created by the AG and named after former General Superintendent Ralph Riggs. The scholarship focuses on academic excellence, leadership through involvement in an AG church, and a student’s dedicated walk with God.
Mills, a native of Sycamore, Illinois , is planning on studying Intercultural Studies to be a missionary, and will also play on the women’s basketball team. She is very grateful to receive the Riggs Scholarship award and says that it takes a lot of financial stress off her plate for her first year at school.
“I was also honored too because I know not a whole lot of people get chosen, so that was really exciting for me,” Mills says.
Her active involvement in the church includes her leadership in children’s church, and participation in both domestic and international missions trips. One trip to Nicaragua in particular, left a major impact on her life.
“We went to the dumps and we were just helping families look for food. That was kind of like the pivotal moment where I was called into ministry,” Mills says.
Gonzalez, who has lived in Fowler, Colorado her whole life, is excited to come to SAGU to study Mathematics Education in hopes of being a secondary school teacher. She also looks forward to growing in her faith and all that God has in store for her during her time as a lion.
“I think it’ll be a really good opportunity to get closer to God and hear from Him specifically,” Gonzalez says.
Her involvement in kids’ ministry shows her passion for leading and teaching in the future.
“I was one of the leaders in our girls’ ministry program at my church, so I like working with kids and our community,” Gonzalez says.
Both Gonzalez and Mills are thrilled to start their college experience at SAGU, thanks to the Riggs Scholarship.
“I’m most excited to just be able to dive into ministry and to be able to be taught by professors and be able to focus on that and enhance my skills with ministry and preaching,” Mills says.
“I’m really excited for the opportunity to meet new people and have new experiences that I haven’t had before…as well as the opportunity for spiritual growth that is present at SAGU,” Gonzalez says.
Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a private, Christian university located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas. The university was established in 1927, and now offers more than 70 associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu
