Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Nehemiah and what is Nehemiah Urban Ministry Initiatives?
Nehemiah Urban Ministry Initiatives is a division of Nehemiah Corporation of America, which administers The Nehemiah Program®, the nation’s largest privately funded down-payment assistance program. Nehemiah is named for the biblical figure that facilitated the restoration of the city of Jerusalem.

2. What are the benefits of the Perkins Fellowship to the Fellow?

3. Who is Spencer W. Perkins?
Spencer W. Perkins, born in 1954 to John and Vera Mae Perkins, was an author, leader and minister committed to affecting the world for Christ. While carrying out his ministry duties as head of Voice of Calvary Ministries in Jackson, Mississippi, Perkins dedicated his life to racial reconciliation and excellence in Christian ministry. On January 27, 1999, Perkins died at the age of 44 from a heart attack. The Perkins Fellowship is just one example of how his vision for racial reconciliation and urban ministry continues to thrive. For more information on Spencer Perkins please visit www.numi.org.

4. When will I be notified of whether or not I have been accepted into the program?
All applicants will be advised of the status of their application within two weeks of the application due date.

5. Who applies for the Fellowship?
Continuing college and graduate students are eligible to apply to the Spencer W. Perkins Fellowship.

6. What are you looking for in Perkins Fellows; how are they selected?
The Spencer W. Perkins Selection Committee gives equal consideration to the candidate's application, past experience, personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Candidates under careful consideration will be asked to participate in a phone interview with the selection committee.
Spencer W. Perkins Fellows are selected using the following criteria:

7. What types of faith-based organizations does the Spencer W. Perkins Fellowship Support?
The Perkins Fellowship supports faith-based organizations that meet basic human needs through innovative ministries and community service programs.

8. How long does a typical fellowship program last?
The Spencer W. Perkins Fellowship is an eight-week program scheduled throughout the summer months. The fellowship term is designed to allow the Fellow to gain an accurate sense of the Hosting Ministry and of urban ministry in general.

9. What are the dates of the Fellowship program?
The operating dates of the Fellowship vary from placement to placement. Some ministries begin their summer programs very early in the summer (e.g., mid to late May) while others start-up relatively late (e.g., first week of July). In general, most ministry sites operate summer programs from the first week of June to the first week of August. All Fellowship applicants should be prepared to serve during this general time period. Spring semester completion dates will be considered when placing Fellows with ministries.

10. May a student use the Spencer W. Perkins Fellowship as a means of securing financial support for a summer internship that they have personally identified?
No. Nehemiah Urban Ministry Initiatives is not a financial aid institution. Moreover, the Perkins Fellowship believes that urban ministry training occurs best when students are thrust into foreign environments.

11. If accepted into the Fellowship who will identify the ministry at which I will serve?
The NUMI selection committee will review all applications and match qualified applicants with partner organizations around the country. Applicants will not be involved in the matching process.

12. What would be expected of me as a Spencer W. Perkins Fellow?
In addition to honoring the codes of the Spencer W. Perkins Fellowship Policy Manual, Fellows are expected to fully conform to the rules and guidelines of the Host Ministry. Additionally, Fellows are expected to devote themselves to the successful completion or advancement of the Host Ministry’s overall mission.

13. Where do Fellows live during the Fellowship term?
Room and board arrangements are generally made through the Host ministry. Actual housing can involve anything from staying on the premises of the Host ministry to staying in the home of a local family.

14. How many Fellows will be placed at a particular site?
Generally, only one Fellow is assigned to each ministry.

15. Will the collective class of Fellows meet before they are sent to their placement sites?
No. Generally, participants in the Perkins Fellowship will not meet one another until they are brought together at the annual CCDA conference in the fall of each year.

16. I am a graduating senior. Am I eligible for the Perkins Fellowship?
Graduating seniors are eligible to participate in the Perkins Fellowship only if they are continuing their education in the fall.

17. I am a grad student. Am I eligible for the Perkins Fellowship?
Yes (provided you will be continuing your education in the fall).

18. Can I serve at the ministry beyond the standard eight-week term?
The official Fellowship term is eight weeks long, however, Fellows are welcome to serve beyond the eighth week with the permission of the host ministry.

19. What are some of the ministries the Fellowship works with?
Please see the link Partners on the Fellowship information page.

20. Are Fellows or Host Ministries obligated to accept the selections of the Committee?
No. The Selection Committee carefully reviews both the candidate’s and Host organization’s applications to ensure that students are matched with compatible ministries. Candidates and Host Ministries are not obligated to accept the selections of the Committee. However, Fellows and Hosts that reject an assignment without good cause will not be reconsidered for alternate placement.

21. What are the benefits of the Perkins Fellowship to the Host Ministry?
Valuable and talented human resource capital in the form of an enthusiastic college student

22. May a Hosting Organization use the Spencer W. Perkins Fellowship to host a Fellow from its own program or of its own choosing?
No. The Fellowship's goal is to encourage and facilitate challenging work experiences for college students interested in urban ministry. This is best accomplished when Fellows are forced to adapt to unfamiliar communities and people.

23. Is the Fellowship available only to CCDA youth and CCDA ministries?
No. The Spencer W. Perkins Selection Committee will entertain applications from any creditable faith-based organization or from any college student interested in urban ministry. CCDA affiliated organizations and students, however, are strongly encouraged to apply.

24. Are Fellows obligated to attend the Annual CCDA Conference?
Yes.

25. Why are Fellows expected to attend the CCDA conference in the fall?
The Christian Community Development Association is a national organization committed to the principles of urban ministry and racial reconciliation. It was co-founded by Spencer’s father, Dr. John M. Perkins, and continues to be the prime entity through which the Perkins family, and a host of others, promote social change in America. The annual conference provides Fellows with critical information about urban ministry and racial reconciliation and hosts closing activities for the Fellowship program.

26. What is NUMI’s relationship to the Christian Community Development Association?
Nehemiah and CCDA began a mutually beneficial relationship in 1998 after discovering that they shared a common vision for community development through faith-based organizations.