New Program Expands International Exchange and Cooperation

November 3, 2017 | Alumni, Center for Asian American Christianity, Multicultural Relations, President, Public

On Wednesday, October 25, President Craig Barnes of Princeton Theological Seminary joined with President Yong-Hak Kim of Yonsei University in signing a new Memorandum of Agreement between the two schools. The agreement enables graduates of Yonsei University to pursue either an MA(TS) or ThM degree at Princeton Theological Seminary before returning to Yonsei to complete their ThD degrees.

Yonsei University traces its multiple origins back to 1885 with the establishment of the first modern hospital in Korea under the direction of Presbyterian medical missionary Horace Newton Allen. Today, with over 39,000 students and nearly 500 faculty members, Yonsei is also home to the United Graduate School of Theology, of which PTS alumna, Dr. Hyun-Sook Kim, serves as Associate Dean.

President M. Craig Barnes meets with Yong-Hak Kim, President of Yonsei University

James Kay, Academic Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs at PTS, underscores the significance of this new agreement.

“This new dual degree program speaks to our shared commitment to the importance of theological education and learned forms of ministry,” he said. “Princeton Seminary has historic ties with Korea and China and this represents a renewal of our strategic partnership to equip the next generation of Christian leaders.”

Princeton Seminary has historic ties with Korea and China and this represents a renewal of our strategic partnership to equip the next generation of Christian leaders.

Beginning in the 2019–2020 academic year, and thanks to the generosity of the Yoido Full Gospel Church and the leadership of its senior pastor, the Rev. Dr. Younghoon Lee, five students annually from the People’s Republic of China will also be able to participate in this dual degree program with Yonsei University.

During his visit, President Barnes had the opportunity to meet with a diverse group of Christian leaders and preached at the Yoido Full Gospel Church. Affiliated with the Assembly of God of Korea, and with over 500,000 members, this congregation is believed to be the largest in the world. Barnes also preached sermons at Onnuri Community Church and Myung Sung Presbyterian Church.

Editor’s note: In July 2021, this story was updated to reflect the Asian American Program’s renaming to the Center for Asian American Christianity.