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Golden Gate dedicates wing for intercultural Kim School


MILL VALLEY, Calif. (BP)–The new home of the David and Faith Kim School of Intercultural Studies at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary was dedicated Feb. 10.

The $500,000 project, consisting of eight offices, a classroom and a conference room, was funded by the Kims and other friends of Golden Gate Seminary. The Kim Wing, located in the seminary’s administration building in Mill Valley, Calif., was completed after six months of renovation.

The Kim School “has been brought into our institution by the grace and blessings of God, to assure appropriate cultural understanding in the development of God’s servants for global ministry at home and abroad,” said Ray Tallman, the newly appointed director of intercultural studies initiative at the seminary.

Tallman said the Kim School fits well with the seminary’s mission statement: “Under the Lordship of Christ, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary provides education and ministry experiences to shape Christian leaders through programs that emphasize spiritual growth, biblically-based scholarship and ministry skills development — all within a multicultural setting.”

The dedication ceremonies honored David and Faith Kim of Southern California, who donated $5.25 million to finance the intercultural school’s launch in 1996. They came to the United States from Korea 35 years ago and have been active in California Southern Baptist work over the years.

David Kim, a former seminary trustee, is an orthopedic surgeon. His wife, Faith Kim, holds a doctor of ministry degree from Golden Gate and has taught at the seminary since 1991. She serves as associate professor of intercultural studies and Christian education and also as associate director of the Kim School.

“The world today desperately needs the message of Jesus Christ presented across cultural boundaries around the world,” said Tom Jones, GGBTS vice president of institutional advancement. “And the Kim School of Golden Gate Seminary aims to help us fulfill that need.”

The ceremonies included a special chapel service, luncheon and ribbon cutting of the remodeled wing of the administration building. The Kims’ daughters, Andrea, Daniella and Sandra, presented special music.

“Contemporary ministry demands cross-cultural ministry skills,” said GGBTS Chancellor William O. Crews. “This school was established to allow Golden Gate Seminary to craft a thorough program of intercultural studies and training to help church leaders minister to people of all cultures, both in North America and abroad.”

Crews praised the Kims for their commitment to the seminary, noting, “They live out the concept of Christian stewardship every day.” Crews presented the Kims with a special plaque expressing the seminary family’s gratitude. Faith Kim also was presented with a special one-of-a-kind glass bowl created by a Mill Valley artist. Crews also presented David Kim with the academic robes and regalia from the university where he graduated to replace those lost in a fire.

Looking to the future, Tallman said the Kim School’s goals will entail:

1. Assuring that every student is trained in the dynamics of effective and culturally sensitive ministry.

2. Generating new culturally sensitive programs for each of the major civilization blocks, beginning with a program of Islamic studies to confront the major challenge to the reign of the Kingdom of God globally.

3. Developing Western-based intercultural programs that will assist in the multicultural training process.

4. Developing GGBTS lectureships that will bring in leading scholars and practitioners in intercultural ministry.

5. Cooperating with the North American Mission Board and International Mission Board to assure the Southern Baptist Convention is provided with contextually prepared candidates for ministry in all cultural contexts.

6. Revitalizing the GGBTS ministry focus for world-class cities, beginning with San Francisco, as a laboratory and a center for development for intercultural ministry training.

The Kims presented special plaques of appreciation to Crews, Jones and Rick Durst, the seminary’s academic vice president.

Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary is a Cooperative Program Ministry of the Southern Baptist Convention, operating five campuses in Northern California, Southern California, Pacific Northwest, Arizona and Colorado.
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(BP) photo posted in the BP Photo Library at http://www.bpnews.net. Photo title: INTERCULTURAL EVENT.

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