BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBERS HONORED

For the first time in its history, Asbury Seminary has named an honorary Chair of the Board of Trustees. Bishop Sundo Kim was granted that honor in the Fall meeting of the Board on November 11, 2014.

Bishop Kim is a world-renowned Christian leader, whose influence extends far beyond his native Korea. He is the retired senior pastor of Kwanglim Methodist Church, the largest Methodist church in the world. His church has planted many daughter churches and sent missionaries across the world.

Bishop Kim was elected to the Asbury Seminary Board of Trustees in 1996 as one of the two first international members of that body. His influence has brought many Korean students to the Seminary.

He established the Chair of Evangelism and Practical Theology as well as an international scholarship fund at the Seminary. When the new single men’s residence hall was dedicated recently, it was named Sundo Kim Hall in honor of his faithful service to God and to the Seminary.

President Timothy Tennent noted, “The unprecedented naming of an honorary chair of the Board for Asbury Theological Seminary arose out of the unique contribution of Bishop Sundo Kim to the mission of the Seminary as well as to the extension of the gospel around the world.  Bishop Kim is known all over the world for his role as a global statesman, a visionary leader, and a bold prayer warrior.  These gifts have given him a front-row seat to many of the great movements of God in our time.  We are so honored to be able to name Bishop Sundo Kim as the Honorary Chair of the Board of Asbury Theological Seminary.”  Board Chair Joan Krupa concurred, “What a rare privilege to bestow this honor on a man who truly represents the best of what our Board is seeking to become, both as individuals and as a corporate body – visionary leadership.”

Bill and Phyllis Johnson were named the first recipients of Asbury Theological Seminary President’s Distinguished Leadership Medallion on November 10, 2014. The Johnsons were honored for their establishment of charitable foundations to invest in strategically-aligned mission organizations as well as tomultiply the Church through church planting and the re-missionizing of the Church.

The Johnson Family Foundation has supported Asbury Seminary through scholarships for international students, a challenge gift to the unrestricted fund, and, most recently, a significant gift in support of the Seminary’s Church Planting Initiative and global partnerships.  Bill Johnson was elected to the Seminary’s Board of Trustees in 2000, has served as chair of the Advancement Committee, and is currently a member of the Finance Team.

In presenting this medallion, President Tennent remarked, “The fruitfulness of a life yielded to God and His work remains one of the most blessed sights to behold.  Such is the blessing that Asbury Theological Seminary and many other organizations have received due to the life and witness of Bill and Phyllis Johnson (by rhonda ).  The Johnsons left a successful real estate and development business which they had pioneered to devote their full-time work to the extension of the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. This is why the Board of Trustees sought to honor the Johnsons through the bestowing of the first ever presidential medallion of leadership.” Board Chair Joan Krupa agreed, “Bill and Phyllis Johnson represent how Christians can use their talents for Kingdom work throughout the world.  The many seeds of their ministry have borne much fruit both here and abroad.  We are so grateful for Bill’s witness and work on the Asbury Board of Trustees.”