In celebration of the 140th anniversary of Methodist mission work, President Kyung-dong Yoo of Methodist Theological University in Korea (MTU) visited Duke Divinity School on January 8 with about 40 undergraduate choir students and five faculty and staff members—marking a significant new chapter in the schools’ growing international partnership.

MTU students and faculty spent time on campus building relationships with Duke Divinity students and leaders, including faculty and staff: 

• Jung Choi, associate dean for global and intercultural formation
• Daniel Castelo, associate dean for academic formation and William Kellon Quick Professor of Theology and Methodist Studies
• Laceye Warner, associate dean for Wesleyan engagement and professor of the practice of church ministry and Methodist studies
• Sangwoo Kim, associate dean for vocational formation and senior director of the Methodist House of Studies
• Ashley Cross, director of recruitment and admissions
• Meghan Benson, chaplain at Duke Divinity School 

Choi reflected on the significance of the visit, saying, “The flourishing of the Divinity School depends on the strength of our partnerships, and this commitment truly came to life during the recent visit from our colleagues and students at Methodist Theological University. We remain mutually dedicated to the belief that the future of the church and academia lies in deep, intercultural exchange.”

The MTU choir also performed in Duke Chapel, filling the space with music of Korean Methodism and the shared theological heritage between the two institutions. The visit builds on a memorandum of understanding signed last year by Duke Divinity Dean Edgardo Colón-Emeric and President Yoo, establishing the first formal partnership between Duke Divinity and a Korean seminary in the areas of theological education and academic research.

The choir’s performance in Duke Chapel offered a visible expression of that partnership. Students, faculty, and members of the Duke community gathered for the service, which included welcoming remarks from Luke Powery, dean of Duke Chapel and professor of homiletics at Duke Divinity. 

The partnership between Duke Divinity and MTU seeks to foster collaboration in teaching, research, and student formation. The gathering offered opportunities for students and leaders from both institutions to exchange stories of calling, ideas about theological education, and hopes for the future of the global church.