Fuller Theological Seminary Launches New Korean Studies Center

Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena has launched a new Korean Studies Center, demonstrating what it calls a “deep commitment to serving the church in Korea and Korean churches around the world.”

The Center will now enhance Fuller’s Korean Studies Program under its School of Intercultural Studies, which provides four degrees taught in Korean language: Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies, Master of Theology in Missiology, Doctor of Ministry in Global Ministry, and Doctor of Missiology.

Fuller’s School of Theology also has a Korean Doctor of Ministry Program, which plays a crucial role as Korean pastors and leaders look toward the future of the churches in the Korean speaking world, both on the peninsula and beyond.

Approximately 250 active students are in the degree programs in Korean Studies. Students come from 34 countries around the world, speaking 32 languages, and are comprised of missionaries, mission organization leaders, local church pastors, lay leaders in mission, and professional tent-makers.

“Korea has had a very important place in Fuller’s history and ministry around the world,” says Fuller President Mark Labberton. “We have more alumni serving in Korea than in any other country in the world apart from the United States. We are very excited about this next stage in Fuller’s service to the Korean-speaking world. We remain very committed to extending our relationship in Korea.”

Fuller also announced that Dr. Keon Sang An has been appointed the first Executive Director of the new Korean Center. An has mission experience as a professor teaching at Kale Hiwot Bible School in Eritrea and at Evangelical Theological College in Ethiopia. He has been teaching in both the Korean and English programs at Fuller.

An’s academic specialty is integrating intercultural studies and theology, and he is bringing this unique and important skill to the Korean Center as it works with programs in the School of Intercultural Studies and School of Theology under one center.

“The Korean Studies Center represents an important new chapter for Fuller Seminary,” An says. “It presents new opportunities as we face new challenges. Current students and alumni will notice very little difference. Our commitments to serving students well with solid programs in both theology and intercultural studies will continue. But we will also be addressing the new challenges facing Korean churches.”

An said the Center will be developing new courses and programs that will focus directly on the challenges that face Korean churches.

Fuller Theological Seminary first opened its doors to 39 students in 1947 in the kindergarten Sunday school rooms of Lake Avenue Congregational Church in Pasadena. In 1953 the seminary – with enrollment now at 250 – moved to the newly constructed Payton Hall on Oakland Avenue, its first and now iconic building at the center of the Pasadena campus.

Now considered the largest multidenominational seminary in the world, Fuller’s approximately 4,000 students come from 90 countries and 110 denominations. Three schools and nine locations allow Fuller to offer a full range of master’s and doctoral programs in both traditional classrooms and virtual environments. 41,000 alumni serve in churches and communities across the globe.