
Daniel Dongwon Lee
Professor of Expository Preaching for Korean Studies, Instructional Faculty
At a Glance
Biography
Daniel Dongwon Lee is Distinguished Professor of Korean Studies at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also the founding pastor of Global Mission Church in South Korea, the biggest Baptist church in the world with over 30,000 church members.
Dr. Lee is a world-renowned evangelist known as “Charles Spurgeon of Korea” and prolific writers of over 100 books related to Gospel-oriented and expository preaching, including The Story of the Twelve Disciples Transforming the World(Duranno, 2020), The Way of Spirituality (Kyujang, 2020), Wait Here (Expository Preaching Series, Habakkuk and Malachi, PLC, 2019), Prayers Changing My Prayer (Kyujang, 2019), The Gospel of John I & II (Duranno, 2019), Be Fruitful and Multiplied (Expository Preaching Series, Ephesians, PLC, 2018), and so on.
Dr. Lee was one of four major evangelical preachers to lead the evangelical movement of Korean churches in 1980s-90s and subsequently the revitalization movement of Korean college students in 1990s. The characteristics of his ministry have been wholistic, balanced, and educational.
Dr. Lee is a recipient of numerous honors and awards, including Spurgeon Fellow and Honorary Alumnus Awards (from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary), President Awards (from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary). He was also chosen as “2019 Alumnus of the Year Award” from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Dr. Lee is married to Myungja Wu and has two sons.
Education
BA from William Tyndale College
MDiv from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
DMiss from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
DD (honorary) from Liberty University
Faculty Q&A
In many contexts today, theology and the church have become functionally separated—each progressing along its own path. What I appreciate about the “For the Church” vision is its intentional emphasis on bridging this divide by pursuing a theology that serves and supports the church. This vision resonates deeply with me. I hope that through MBTS, more robust and church-centered theological teaching will be promoted and multiplied, equipping leaders who are grounded both in Scripture and in service to the local church.
What excites me most about teaching at MBTS is the fact that many of our students are future church leaders—pastors, missionaries, and ministry workers. It is a great joy and a meaningful responsibility to invest in those who will soon be on the front lines of ministry. Teaching here is not merely about conveying knowledge; it’s about shaping the lives of those who will shepherd others.
What encourages me about the next generation is their strong sense of practicality and missional focus. Having served as a pastor dedicated to church growth and community engagement, I find great joy in helping these future leaders not only think deeply but also serve faithfully. I aim to teach them not just to develop theological insight, but to apply that insight with their hands and feet—to serve, to lead, and to nurture healthy, growing churches. It is this hands-on approach to ministry preparation that continues to energize and inspire me.