KANSAS CITY, Mo—David Choi, senior pastor of Global Mission Church in Seoul, South Korea, visited Midwestern Seminary in January to preach in chapel and teach a Korean doctoral seminar.
While on campus, Choi also met with President Jason Allen and Provost Jason Duesing to discuss future cooperative ministry opportunities between the seminary and Global Mission Church.
“It was a delight to host David Choi on campus and to have him preach in chapel,” said President Jason Allen. “Dr. Choi is a gifted preacher and pastor, and we are so thankful for our partnership with him and Global Mission Church. The Lord is doing a great work in South Korea and beyond through Global Mission Church, and it was an honor to have Dr. Choi teach and preach to our students.”
Choi is an experienced pastor, ministry leader, and member in Southern Baptist churches. He has pastored Southern Baptist churches in the Unites States, and he has also served on the faculty at Midwestern Seminary and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
During his chapel message, Choi preached from John 1, emphasizing the importance of sharing the gospel with everyone without discrimination.
He explained the inclusiveness and exclusiveness of the gospel. As he said, “the gospel is to be proclaimed to all without discrimination, but we must also share that the only way of salvation is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Speaking to chapel attendees, Choi said, “A long time ago, your ancestors came to Korea and spread the gospel news. We are all here because someone shared the gospel. We must proclaim this same good news.”
He went on to say, “I’m so glad to be at Midwestern Seminary and to see its growth. I hear of the revival happening here, the worship and enthusiasm to share the gospel, and I’m encouraged. May it continue.”
While on campus, Choi had the opportunity to lead a Korean doctoral seminar. They taught on church revitalization and congregational renewal. This doctoral class represents the recent growth in the Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon College Asian Studies department. Due to growth, the seminary launched the Spurgeon College—Korean Studies online program in 2022.
Sung Jin Park, dean of Asian Studies and associate professor of Biblical Studies, commented, “The Asian Studies program at Midwestern Seminary is one of the biggest and strongest among all the Korean degree programs offered in the United States. More than 740 Korean students all over the world are studying at Midwestern Seminary through this program.”
He spoke to the future of the department, “Asian Studies plans to expand our programs out of the United States, toward the world by offering For The Church Conferences in Korea, as well as other countries throughout Asia.”
Park expressed his appreciation for Dr. Choi’s leadership as well, stating, “It was a joy to welcome Dr. Choi to campus. He is a faithful and passionate church planter and pastor, always centering his preaching on Jesus and His gospel.”
Midwestern Seminary’s partnership with Global Mission Church, Park said, is an exemplary and meaningful step for the missions focus of the institution. Specifically, Park expects the partnership to play an important role in the recently announced Missions Moonshot for Midwestern Seminary.
Global Mission Church in Seoul, South Korea, is one of the largest Baptist churches in the world with more than 50,000 church members. Prior to Choi’s ministry, Daniel Lee served the church as senior pastor and now occupies the role of pastor emeritus. As a strong supporter of the seminary for more a decade, Lee also serves Midwestern Seminary as a distinguished professor.
The seminary and Global Mission Church continue to partner together for the sake of the Church, with institutional leaders occasionally traveling overseas for visits.
During the fall of 2022, members of Midwestern Seminary’s faculty visited Global Mission Church in Seoul, engaging in activities such as a preview day experience, speaking opportunities, and visits with many current Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon College faculty and students.
Reflecting on the growing partnership between the church and seminary, Midwestern Seminary Provost Jason Duesing said, “The story of God’s kindness to Korean Baptist churches is rooted in the sacrificial service of post-war International Mission Board missionaries as they planted churches and started a seminary.”
“After a couple decades of involvement, following the IMB missionary task strategy, they concluded their work and entrusted it to Korean peoples,” he continued. “The story of God’s blessing Korean Baptists from there is well known, and now we come to serve and learn from their churches, as they send many to the ends of the earth.”
