Meet Scholarship Recipient: Jessica Gho

The LEAD Scholarship Fund is one of the strategies employed by Thrive, the CRCNA’s congregational services agency, to develop multiracial congregational leadership in the CRC denomination. Recipients of this scholarship attend one of the higher learning institutions affiliated with the denomination -- Calvin University, Dordt University, The King’s University College, Redeemer University, Kuyper College, Trinity Christian College, and Calvin Theological Seminary. These students have also expressed a strong desire to advocate for biblical justice and racial reconciliation through the church and/or in community settings.

Through bountiful gifts given last year, Thrive was able to award scholarships to two students for the 2025/26 school year. It’s our privilege to introduce you to Jessica Gho, one of these recipients. Read her brief biography below and some of her thoughts on the importance of biblical justice.

Hello, my name is Jessica Park Gho. 
I was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and raised in Tokyo, Japan, where I live today as a third-culture kid grappling with identity and belonging. Faith has always been deeply rooted in my life, shaped by family and the Christian Reformed tradition. Yet seasons of crisis—doubt, isolation, and cultural dislocation—challenged my relationship with God. In those times, he remained faithful, never leaving my side, and miraculously guided me to the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Calvin Theological Seminary through distance learning.

A pivotal moment [for my faith formation] came from observing Japanese Christians in my community face isolation, ostracization, and opposition, yet cling to God and boldly confess their faith. Their resilience ignited in me a desire to accompany others in their struggles, offering empathic listening and clinical support. Playing piano in the Japanese church has also shaped me, creating spaces for worship and emotional connection while sparking interest in possibly integrating music therapy into counseling. These experiences have confirmed my calling to ministry through mental health care, and I continue to seek God’s direction for the path ahead.

I am pursuing a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Calvin Theological Seminary (CTS) via distance learning. This program blends theological depth with professional clinical training, preparing me to offer holistic care that addresses mental and spiritual well-being. In my community, I serve the Japanese church through piano ministry, fostering connection in a context where faith can feel isolating. Though distance learning limits on-campus involvement at CTS, I engage actively in online coursework, discussions, peer groups, and reflective assignments to hone my skills. I stay connected to CRCNA networks, inspired by the denomination’s commitment to justice and inclusion.

I plan to use my studies to become a licensed counselor integrating Reformed theology with culturally sensitive, evidence-based care. I envision serving in community settings—possibly CRCNA-affiliated—to reduce mental health stigma, especially for diverse or minority backgrounds, and promote healing. As a third-culture kid with musical gifts, I remain open to specialization: general counseling, further music therapy training to incorporate piano, or work with cross-cultural individuals in Japan and beyond. Ultimately, I hope to equip others, to witness God’s faithfulness in hardship, and support the CRCNA’s growth in diverse leadership by addressing emotional and mental needs in ministry.

Biblical justice and diversity are central to me because they reflect God’s shalom—His complete peace and restoration. Scripture calls us to do justice and love mercy (Micah 6:8) and envisions redemption for every nation, tribe, and language (Revelation 7:9), a beautiful slice of heaven. Diversity celebrates God’s image in humanity; justice dismantles barriers. My experiences with identity struggles and mental health stigma in diverse cultures reveal how exclusion deepens pain. Biblical justice means advocating for access and inclusion. In the CRCNA, embracing diversity in leadership helps the church embody Christ’s reconciliation (Ephesians 2). My calling is to hold space for healing, celebrate diversity as kingdom reality, and help others encounter God’s shalom through compassionate support.

If you feel led to support this valuable scholarship fund and students like Jessica, please give online at this link. Your gift today will bless future students as they train for and prepare to engage in the ministry of racial reconciliation in church and in society.

For those who wish to be considered for a LEAD student scholarship from Thrive, information and an application are found at this link.