The latest recipients of the 2025 Deese Initiative grants have been announced, continuing the program’s legacy of global impact.
Since 2004, the Deese Initiative Grant, formerly the Asbury Initiative Program, has awarded grants of up to $10,000 to over 170 Asbury students, enabling them to serve in 59 countries.
Designed to foster international service, the program supports sophomores, juniors, and graduating seniors in volunteer work related to community development, economic sustainability, public wellness, literacy and education in developing regions. Through partnerships with religious, secular and governmental organizations, students gain invaluable hands-on experience, often shaping future careers in global service.
Originally established in 2003 by Phyllis McRoberts ’53 West and Stephen R. West in honor of missionaries Ernest M. Steury ‘53 and Jennie Sue Groce ’54 Steury, the program became permanently funded in 2015 through the generosity of Wynelle Scott Deese ‘61. Today, the Judge and Mrs. J.W. Deese Initiative Program remains one of Asbury University’s most transformative opportunities, equipping students to engage in meaningful, life-changing service worldwide.
Meet the 2025 Deese Initiative grant recipients and learn about their projects:
Susanna Edward ’26
Susanna Edward ‘26 plans to partner with GO InterNational, an organization dedicated to developing people who will serve their neighbors and nations by leading others to Christ, discipling them to become fully devoted followers, and training them to know and obey God’s Word so they can be sent to their own people and beyond until the gospel is preached worldwide.
Edward, a Media Communication major and Christian ministries minor, will support the ministry in the country of Georgia by working alongside a church in Tbilisi, documenting and serving with them as they conduct outreach to Kurdish people. She aims to be involved in various aspects of the ministry and collaborate with the lead pastor and his staff to produce a documentary that could benefit both his ministry and GO International by raising awareness of the Kurds in the region.
Zachary Fazio ‘26
Zachary Fazio ‘26 will partner with GO InterNational to support Larry Cochran School, a small institution located in Lima, Peru. The school serves young children and emerging communities, providing access to quality education and ministry outreach.
Fazio, a Finance major with a background in marketing, will learn about the organization’s vision, goals, and marketing plan through conversations with administrators, staff, and students. Then, by the end of his time there, he hopes to propose some website updates and marketing pieces that reflect the ministry’s character.
“When I found out I had received the Deese grant, I was elated and full of joy,” said Fazio. “So much dedicated time, meticulous planning, and constant prayer had gone into preparing for this singular decision. The only thing that I remember rushing through my mind was a repeated prayer thanking God for the privilege to serve.”
Mary Hostetter ‘26
Mary Hostetter ‘26 will work alongside four local ministries run by Inca Link International in Trujillo, Peru, serving children and their families in various capacities. Most of her time will be spent at an adventure camp on the edge of the city, leading activities on the camp property and building relationships with the children and young adult leaders.
As an Intercultural Studies Major, Hostetter will support the ministry by tutoring children in a sponsorship program, providing childcare for mothers attending a Bible study, and connecting with children living in the poorest part of the city.
Ethan Kriesch ‘26
Ethan Kriesch ‘26 plans to partner with Inca Link to join Cumbre Alta in its mission to share Christ while reaching the highest levels of Ecuadorian sports. He will help create an environment where individuals can encounter and deepen their relationship with Christ through intentional time spent with players, coaches, and short-term mission teams. Kriesch also will serve the ministry by coaching in the youth academy and leading short-term mission groups in their projects at the new sports compound currently under development.
Two Deese Initiative recipients have chosen to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of their work.
Asbury junior “A” plans to partner with Free Methodist World Missions and a translation team to create eight culturally relevant illustrations to accompany the translated text of the book of Luke. These illustrations aim to help readers better understand the text’s message and convey that the gospel is meant for them, not just others.
This project will also help establish a foundation for future artists to continue illustrating the rest of the translated text, setting a trajectory for ongoing visual engagement with the scriptures.
Asbury sophomore “B” will work with a local church overseas to serve children and teenagers through multiple Vacation Bible Schools in different parts of the city. The children and teenagers attending these one-week camps come from diverse income backgrounds and religions. They will support the ministry by assisting with preparation and organization beforehand, leading both large and small group sessions during the camps and creating a video compilation of testimonies from the four weeks of Vacation Bible School.
For more information on the Deese Initiative Program, visit https://www.asbury.edu/undergraduate/life-at-asbury/spiritual-life/service-opportunities/deese-initiative/