The two universities on two continents share history, alums
May 2023 – Leaders from Methodist Theological University (MTU) in Seoul, South Korea paid a historic visit to Drew Theological School in Madison, New Jersey.
The Theological School welcomed Hoojung Lee, president and professor of church history, Haejung Park T’94,’04, academic dean and professor of worship, and Insoo Kim, dean of the president’s office and assistant professor of systematic theology.
It is not uncommon for MTU graduates to continue their theological studies at the Theological School. The largest group of Korean Drew students and graduates are MTU alums, and many MTU/Drew alums are now professors in universities and senior pastors of the leading Methodist churches throughout Korea.
Park earned his Master of Divinity and PhD from Drew, living on campus for nearly ten years.
The two institutions share a parallel in history. The Rev. Henry Appenzeller T’1885, a graduate of the Theological School, became the first Christian missionary to Korea. His work was integral in establishing the Korean Methodist Church, schools, and universities, and translated the Bible into Korean.
Appenzeller also founded MTU in 1887. It was the first Methodist seminary in Korea.
“Drew Theological School was honored to host our colleagues and friends from Methodist Theological University,” said Theological School Dean Edwin David Aponte. “Drew is proud of our long-standing relationship with MTU and have had the distinct pleasure of welcoming many alums to The Forest as students and professors.”
Frances Lyons, reference archivist at the General Commission of Archives and History, provided a personalized tour of the United Methodist Archives and History Center, allowing the MTU colleagues to experience Drew’s many holdings, including the records of Appenzeller’s missionary movements in Korea.
