The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has selected Emily Maples Davis, coordinator of youth and children’s music ministries at Broadway Baptist Church and student at Brite Divinity School, and Miguel Urbaneja, founder of The Re-Church Project and student at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology, as the 2025 Vestal Scholars.
The Fellowship’s premier scholarship, established in 2011 in honor of former CBF Executive Coordinator Daniel Vestal and his wife, Earlene, was created to strengthen CBF’s dedication to theological education. This annual scholarship plays a key role in the Fellowship’s commitment to supporting the development of young Baptists. Recipients of the Vestal Scholarship will have shown outstanding academic achievement and a strong dedication to both the local church and CBF.
Urbaneja was drawn to ministry with a wish to help marginalized communities. He previously served as an associate pastor and led youth ministry before founding a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting churches in their development as they navigate the challenges of the 21st century. A key part of their mission includes offering ESL programs to churches in the Duluth and Johns Creek areas, aiming to serve and support the Hispanic and broader international community
“Drawing on my background in communication and social media, I hope to create bilingual resources and expand ministry programs that address the intersectionality of faith, identity and social justice,” Urbaneja said. “I am committed to continuing to advocate for these communities and to bringing fresh perspectives to the CBF’s mission of radical hospitality.”
“Miguel’s calling to congregational ministry reflects the boundary-breaking power of Christ, evident in his unwavering commitment to justice and inclusion. His voice and ministry will undoubtedly enrich the marginalized communities he serves and strengthen the mission of CBF,” Drumgoole said.
Maples felt a calling to music ministry at 15-year-old. “Since that moment over 30 years ago, I have been dedicated to serving God and the church, leading in both music and youth ministry.” At Brite Divinity School, Maples is the Worship Architect and Musician-in-Residence. She founded “The Brite Mosaic,” Creative Worship Team and leads music in their weekly chapel. At Broadway Baptist Church she was ordained in 2024 and serves as the Coordinator of Youth and Children’s Music Ministries.
“My sense of calling has been rooted in music and working with God’s people,” Maples said. “I love a good choir because its diversity resembles the diversity found in the world. A choir is a group of people who really have nothing in common, other than the fact that they enjoy making music together, and they are forced to learn to collaborate with people they would otherwise never have known.”
“Emily’s deep love for Christ, steadfast devotion to Christian discipleship through the arts, and clear calling to serve both the local church and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship shine brightly in her ministry,” said search committee member Emitt Drumgoole, senior pastor of Montgomery Hills Baptist Church in Silver Spring, Md.
The scholars will be recognized at the upcoming CBF General Assembly, June 24-26, in St. Louis, Mo. Learn more and register for free at www.cbf.net/assembly.
CBF Foundation stewards the long-term growth of the Daniel and Earlene Vestal Leadership Scholar Endowment Fund. We invite you to leave a legacy of Baptist leaders for future generations by leaving a bequest gift in your will towards the fund. You can also make an immediate impact by making a gift towards the fund here. Contact Shauw Chin Capps at scapps@cbf.net for further assistance.