Metro Baltimore Seminary (MBS) is pleased to announce a new international partnership with the Graduate School of Practical Theology (실천신학대학원대학교, GSPT) in Icheon, South Korea. This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) represents a significant step in expanding global theological education and cross-cultural ministry training. The agreement establishes opportunities for academic exchange, faculty collaboration, and immersive learning experiences for students at both institutions.
(L to R) Dr. Park Jeong-Hwan (GSPT Professor of Worship), Dr. Ro Young-sang (GSPT President), and Dr. Cho Seong-don (GSPT Vice President and Professor of Practical Theology hold the signed MOU. Physical copies were mailed between the schools so that both presidents signed the documents.
The origins of this partnership began in 2023, when Dr. Adam Feldman, MBS Academic Dean, traveled to South Korea to speak at pastoral conferences co-hosted by GSPT and the Align Research Center for Christianity (ARCC). Through these interactions, Dr. Feldman and Dr. Cho Seong-don, Vice President of GSPT, discovered a shared commitment to practical theology and the spiritual formation of students.
MBS President Dr. Dan Passerelli and GSPT President Dr. Ro Young-sang met over Zoom in August 2024 to discuss ways the seminaries share common theological convictions and educational values. Over two years of collaboration, discussions between the seminaries led to the formation of this international agreement, which was formalized in 2024 following the review and approval of both seminaries’ leadership teams.
Advancing MBS’s Vision Through Global Collaboration
(L-R) MBS President Dr. Dan Passerelli and MBS Academic Dean Dr. Adam L. Feldman hold the signed MOU.
This partnership uniquely fulfills Metro Baltimore Seminary’s long-term vision for accessibility, affordability, and transformational theological education. In 2021, MBS’s Board of Directors outlined a vision to establish Korean and Spanish-language theological training programs as part of its commitment to serving an increasingly diverse student body. Through this collaboration, MBS takes a major step forward in realizing that goal by welcoming Korean-speaking faculty, students, and educational resources from GSPT. The partnership also enhances MBS’s cross-cultural theological accessibility, ensuring that students are equipped for ministry in both local and global contexts.
Key Features of the Partnership
As part of the 26-month preliminary partnership (November 2024 – December 2026), MBS and GSPT will engage in the following collaborative efforts:
Faculty Exchanges: Professors from both institutions will have opportunities to teach as visiting faculty, offering intensive courses in practical theology and ministry.
Student Learning Opportunities: Both seminaries will encourage students to engage in immersive learning experiences, including travel for theological study and ministry collaboration.
Cross-Cultural Ministry Training: Courses will be offered in English and Korean, with translation support provided as needed.
Joint Conferences & Research: MBS and GSPT will explore ways to co-host theological conferences and collaborative research projects, equipping students and faculty with a global perspective on ministry.
Upcoming Visits & Exchange Programs
As part of this developing partnership, we will welcome a contingent of 20 GSPT leaders—including Board members, administrators, faculty, and alumni—to MBS from June 10-18, 2025. During their visit, they will:
Learn micro church planting principles from Dr. Craig Garriott, MBS Dean of Church Planting and Renewal.
Visit historic sites in Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
Connect with micro church planters associated with the Baltimore Unbound Network, including Steven Vega (MBS alumnus, BTh Class of 2023) and Krishna Kandel (current MBS MDiv student, Class of 2026).
Additionally, MBS is planning an official visit to GSPT in October 2026, with the intent of bringing current students, faculty, and seminary leadership to South Korea to further solidify the partnership.
A Vision for the Future
Metro Baltimore Seminary remains committed to training disciple-making leaders for the church, community, and marketplace. This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to global theological engagement, ensuring that MBS students and faculty participate in meaningful cross-cultural theological dialogue.
We are excited to embark on this partnership with GSPT and anticipate that this collaboration will strengthen both institutions’ ability to equip the next generation of Christian leaders.
For more details on GSPT, visit http://www.gspt.ac.kr/ and GSPT’s press release.