Originally published in the Midwestern Magazine, Issue 39
For half a century, a tapestry emblazoned with that era’s seminary logo hung outside the old chapel that is now the Spurgeon Library. The words surrounding the logo proclaimed, “In the Heart of America, For the Hearts of the World.” Today, the aspirations of past generations are being realized through Midwestern Seminary’s thriving International Studies programs. Many may be surprised to learn that of Midwestern’s 4,000 students, 37% are non-Anglo, and 22% are pursuing a degree in a language other than English. At the doctoral level, 37% are reading, researching, and writing in a language other than English. Graduates of Midwestern’s international programs serve as pastors and missionaries in Vietnam, Korea, Cuba, Peru, Venezuela, Romania, and many other Asian, European, and South American nations.
The growth of these language programs mirrors the growth of Midwestern Seminary. In 2010, the seminary launched the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree in Korean and Spanish. Today, these two programs enroll over 300 students who serve as pastors, missionaries, and denominational leaders. Students in these language programs serve in full-time ministry, while studying under Midwestern faculty and accomplished adjunct professors. Several adjunct professors from the programs’ earliest days now serve on Midwestern Seminary’s faculty, including Daniel Chong, Sing Jin Park, Bobby Sena, Min Soo Sim, and Buck Sung.
The Asian Studies program is led by Dr. Park, dean of Asian Studies and associate professor of Biblical Studies. Under his leadership, the program has grown to 470 degree-seeking students, plus a number of lay leaders pursuing certificate level studies. Today, Korean-speaking students are enrolled in the MAMS, MTS, MACE, M.Div., Th.M., D.Min., D.Ed.Min., and Ph.D. degrees. In addition to the Korean classes taught on the Kansas City campus, occasional classes are offered in cities with large Korean populations, such as Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Seoul, South Korea.
Following a process that involved two years of prayer and planning, Midwestern launched the MTS degree in Mandarin in 2016. In May 2019, the program celebrated its first graduate, who is now continuing his studies in the new Mandarin language M.Div., launched under the leadership of Paul Liu, director of Mandarin Studies and associate professor of Ministry.
The early success and positive feedback from the Asian and Spanish doctoral students was impetus for Radu Gheorghita, professor of Biblical Studies, to request that the institution explore making the D.Min. available for church leaders in his native Romania. After two years of preliminary preparation, the Romanian D.Min. program was launched in October 2013. The influence of the program is captured in these comments from graduates:
We see the impact of this program on our ministries, especially since it is designed to be For the Church: biblical, but applicational; rigorously academic, but indigenous. Praise God for the vision behind it!
—Pastor Stefan Cornu (R.D.Min. 2018)
Every course was practical and useful for ministry in the local church. I think this is one of the strongest points of this program. In spite of sometimes feeling tired and overwhelmed by the requirements, looking back, I consider it a great blessing for me and for our church.
—Nicu Stremțan (R.D.Min. 2019)
The academic environment and the wonderful friendships I developed with my cohort colleagues and professors had a great impact in my life and ministry.
—Pastor Adrian Bârzu (R.D.Min. 2018)
The quality of the program and the affordable tuition persuaded me to register. As our parishioners gladly testify, the program prepared me to be a better expositor of the Scriptures.
—Pastor Mircea Toma (R.D.Min. 2019)
During a season when the Asian Studies programs were growing exponentially, the Spanish program, with one degree, the D.Min., was also growing, but at a slower pace. To serve the needs of the churches, additional programs were required. To meet those needs, the undergraduate level Certificate in Church Planting and graduate MTS in Pastoral Ministry launched in 2017. Under the guidance of Felix Cabrera, assistant professor of Pastoral Ministry, 29 Church Planting certificates and two MTS degrees were awarded at our December 2019 commencement. According to Cabrera, “What has made our Hispanic Program a blessing is that it is not only in the native language of our students, but it is contextualized. Many times, when a book or lecture is translated into another language, the idea or concept being taught or shared is lost. By having faculty who are Hispanic and employing instructors who serve in the Hispanic context, an unparalleled learning experience is available for the student.”
This year, the Spanish program will experience several enhancements, including the addition of Greek and Hebrew courses that will ultimately give Spanish speaking students access to the M.Div. degree. The new 33-hour Spanish Master of Arts in Ministry Service (MAMS) degree through Spurgeon College provides a gateway to graduate-level education for church leaders and bi-vocational pastors. At the doctoral level, a non-residential D.Min. program that is under development will provide access to students unable to travel to Kansas City.
In the past four years, our institutional commitment to international programs was threatened by tightening immigration laws and a strong U.S. dollar. Many international students found it impossible to obtain travel visas, while the strong dollar made the cost of traveling to Kansas City prohibitive for most pastors and church leaders. Under the leadership of seminary President Jason Allen, the institution took the bold step of requesting an exception to the Association of Theological School’s residency requirements for doctoral degrees. This exception, which was granted in February 2019, allows students to pursue their D.Min. and D.Ed.Min. degrees through online seminars or classes meeting occasionally in churches or other approved locations. Another tool implemented by Dr. Allen is the “tuition offset” that adjusts instructional and student costs for international students. These measures are aligned with the institutional priority of providing accessible, affordable theological education.
Today, the institution’s language programs are supported by two deans, three directors, nine faculty, eight support staff, and over 40 adjunct professors. Although Midwestern’s international faculty may not be familiar names to church leaders in North America, their academic accomplishments are significant. Many earned degrees from prestigious institutions such as the University of Cambridge, the University of Edinburgh, and Hebrew Union College. Many of Midwestern’s international faculty are well known among the churches for their publications and are sought-after speakers.
What is next for International Studies?
On January 30, 2020, I transitioned from overseeing the doctoral programs of Midwestern—a position I enjoyed for 15 years—to dean of Academic Strategy and Institutional Effectiveness. In this new role, I will supervise all non-English language programs. I also serve on the Global Awareness and Engagement Work Group for the Association of Theological Schools. I can envision no greater privilege or more significant kingdom task than serving the church through Midwestern Seminary. To be involved with the International Studies program is to be involved in the Great Commission on a daily basis.
Additionally, under the leadership of Jordan Wilbanks, director of Church Partnerships, a Romanian Leadership Development program is starting in 2020. This spring, Dr. Sena and I will be visiting Puerto Rico and Mexico to explore expanded doctoral-level opportunities to serve seminary graduates in those countries. At the same time, Dr. Park and Dr. Liu are working on a proposal to offer the D.Min. degree in Mandarin, and in October, I will be joining Dr. Gheorghita and leaders in the Ukraine to explore the feasibility of a D.Min. program for Ukrainian leaders.
Although no one knows the future, as Christians, we know Who holds the future. We are excited to be joining God in His global assignment to make disciples of all nations.
Dr. rodney A. Harrison | Dean of Academic Strategy and Institutional Effectiveness; Midwestern Seminary
