May 2015: Connected Through Christ
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose. Romans 8:28
The first ten students enrolled in the Studies of Ecumenism and Social Transformation (SEST) program at the Graduate School of Theology at Hanshin University graduated last June. The students, from six Asian countries, each earned a Masters in Theology degree after writing and defending their master’s thesis.
At the commencement ceremony the students wore Korean traditional gowns and caps, following the tradition of Hanshin University. Despite different backgrounds, the students were dressed the same, signifying our unity in God.
During the celebration a student from India offered a prayer of gratitude to God. One of the pastors of a sponsoring church shared how he mentored a student from East Timor and their relationship developed into collaboration between his church and the student’s home church. The students were reminded that graduation signaled being sent back to their specific contexts as missionaries to further the Kingdom of God.
Reverend Xiaoling Zhu, Global Ministries’ Executive for East Asia and the Pacific visited in May, giving warm greetings and reminding us of the presence of Global Ministries in Korea. His visit was a good measure of expanding mutual relationships between Hanshin University and other DOC-UCC related churches, colleges and seminaries in the US.
The graduates are now ministering in their own countries, but remain connected to one another and involved in God’s ministry through a network of ecumenism and social transformation. The newest group of students began studies this past January.
Daniel Lee serves with the Presbyterian Church of the Republic of Korea (PROK), South Korea. He is chaplain at Hanshin Graduate School. His appointment is made possible by your gifts to Disciples’ Mission Fund and Our Church’s Wider Mission.