Bart Barber interview with Anderson Cooper to air Oct. 9
By BP Staff
An interview with Southern Baptist Convention President Bart Barber conducted by Anderson Cooper for the CBS News program “60 MINUTES” is scheduled to air this Sunday, Oct. 9.
“As the Southern Baptist Convention finds itself at the center of a sexual abuse scandal under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department, 60 MINUTES’ Anderson Cooper meets the convention’s newly elected president, Bart Barber, who was tapped in June to lead the largest evangelical institution in America,” reads a release from CBS. “A small-town Texas pastor, Barber speaks with Cooper about the sex abuse scandal, his faith and what he hopes evangelicals will keep in mind during the upcoming midterm elections. Sarah Koch and Chrissy Jones are the producers.”
60 MINUTES airs at 7 p.m. Eastern Time, 6 p.m. Central.
MBTS visits ministry partners in Korea
By Brett Fredenberg/MBTS
KANSAS CITY, Mo – Members of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s faculty visited ministry partners in Seoul last month for mutual encouragement and to explore how the seminary can expand partnerships to equip the next generation of pastors and ministry leaders.
Dean of Asian Studies Sung Jin Park, Provost Jason Duesing, and Vice President of Enrollment Management Camden Pulliam engaged in a variety of activities during their trip, including several speaking opportunities, a preview day experience and visits with many current Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon College faculty and students.
Reflecting on the week, Duesing said, “The story of God’s kindness to Korean Baptist churches is rooted in the sacrificial service of post-war IMB missionaries as they planted churches and started a seminary.
“After a couple decades of investment, following the International Mission Board missionary task strategy, they concluded their work and entrusted it to Korean peoples,” he continued. “The story of God’s blessing Korean Baptists from there is well known, and now we come to serve and learn from their churches, as they send many to the ends of the earth.”
During their first day in the country, Park, Duesing, and Pulliam participated in a Graduation Appreciation Ceremony, celebrating the growing number of Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon College graduates in Korea.
The recent launch of the Spurgeon College–Korean Studies online program, coupled with the expansion of Midwestern Seminary faculty and students residing in Korea, made this graduation ceremony special.
“One of the most encouraging events during the trip was the Graduation Appreciation Ceremony,” Park said, recognizing that graduates could not attend the ceremony in Kansas City for the past three years due to the pandemic. “This event well contributes to and signifies the solid connection between Midwestern Seminary in America and the graduates in Korea.”
The Midwestern Seminary faculty members also met several key ministry partners while in Korea.
Among these visits were meetings with Daniel Lee, founding pastor and current pastor emeritus of Global Mission Church; David Choi, current pastor of Global Mission Church; and several Midwestern Seminary faculty members residing in Seoul. Choi and MBTS President Jason Allen plan to visit each other’s respective locations in 2023 to expand their ministry partnership.
During one of these meetings, Duesing and Park were able to convey to Minsoo Sim on behalf of Allen, that he has been promoted to regional director of Korean Doctoral Studies and special associate to the dean of Asian studies for recruitment and church partnerships at Midwestern Seminary.
“These new titles reflect the excellent work and skills of Dr. Sim,” Duesing said. “Dr. Sim is a long-time pastor and educator who plays a vital role in coordinating Midwestern Seminary’s efforts in Korea and connecting the seminary to churches and students.”
Duesing also preached at the Global Mission Church during the trip, which is currently the largest Baptist church in the world.
