The Mission of REPL (Racial Ethnic Pastoral leadership Program) is to enourage racial ethnic persons to consider church vocations that will serve the Synod and the whole church, with particular emphasis on pastoral ministry in racial and multi-cultural congregations.
Through the Scholarship Fund, the 2011-2012 REPL Program year provided scholarships and other supportive services for racial ethnic students within the Synod who are pursuing theological education in preparation for a church vocation. Particular emphasis is placed on persons preparing for pastoral ministry. Applications must be registered with their presbytery as an Inquirer or Candidate.
The REPL program was developed in response to a 1979 Synod task force study on growing need for pastors of racial ethnic congregations within the Synod and nationally. In 1982, the Executive Presbyters and the Synod Executive requested the task force to "draw up a 'Synod level Ethnic Minority Scholarship Fund.'" The Synod Assembly approved this program in 1982. The initial individual scholarship grant in 1983 was $200.00, but now it is up to $3,500.00.