Berea University of Graduate Studies - History

History

Berea Academy, the matrix of Berea International Theological Seminary started in March 1973 in Sungrak Church, Shinkil-dong, Youngdeungpo-ku, Seoul. At first it was simply a Saturday Bible study for pastors and seminary students which grew until October 1978 and was definitely named "Berea Academy." In 1979, classes were opened for both the clergy and the laity, and the following year the Berea Mission Association was founded,

By May 1980, students of the first-term graduated, and 1983 a correspondence course as well as Berea Academy U. S. Branch and Canada Branch were made available for foreign residents. On June 25, 1980 Berea Biblical Theological Seminary opened its doors and on December 1987 Christian Berea Academy Promotional Foundation was recognized so that by March 1988 Seoul Baptist Theological Seminary could be established.

Since the completion of the first term by thirty-nine students, Berea Academy has taught to more than 5,000 students who are engaged in the embodiment of the New Testament Church, in and outside Korea. Continuous research and study to upgrade the fostering of lay learders and pastors are under way. In 1991, video classes were made available and from 1993, branches in the provinces such as Suwon, Inchon, Chunju, Koonsan, Pyungtak were also opened. Berea Academy is no longer present in Seoul only but now exerts its influence abroad and to the whole world.

On October 26, 1996, God's grace and reformative measures in the ministry of education made possible the establishment of Berea Academy School Foundation and on December 5, 1997 Berea International Theological Seminary became an accredited institution of high theological level which opened its door by March 1998.

Ki Dong Kim, the Overseer of Seoul Sungrak Church, has been the president of the school since 1998. In 2006 Samuel Sangshik Han is currently serving as the president of Berea University of Graduate Studies (Berea International Theological Seminary).

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