Theological Seminary of New York (TSNY)
37th Graduation Ceremony
TSNY held its 37th Graduation Ceremony on May 20th (Sunday), 6pm at Good Shepherd Reformed Church (Pastor Park Jun Yeol) as they celebrated the school’s 40th anniversary. Many alumni, current students, professors, family and friends attended as they encouraged and appreciated each other’s efforts for the school.
As the number of Korean immigrants increased in the 1970s and the number of Korean churches grew, there was a pressing need to train up ministers, so on November 8, 1978, the seminary was started at New York Hanmin Church under the name ‘New York Presbyterian Seminary School’ and elder Lim Soo Shik was appointed as chairman and Dr. Hong Suk Hyun as the first principal. In 1981, the school name was changed to “Theological Seminary of New York” and currently there are 13 sister schools affiliated and ever since President Kwon Oh Hyun was appointed in 1987, they have been growing and steadily producing graduates.
In the first service, pastor Park Jin Ha (President of The Council of Korean Southern Baptist Churches in America-New York, TSNY 5th year graduate) preached on Genesis 12:1-4 titled “To the Land I will send.”
Pastor Park Jin Ha gave the following message: “When we hear from the Lord to leave like Abraham we start questioning why we must go. It is not an easy decision to turn one’s back to a place that have become their home. On top of that, God does not present us with a destination. It is not something you can do without an assurance of faith. Today’s graduates stand at the starting line to this unknown destination. Only the faith that has been learned and resolved can lead one to the path that the Lord delights in. The modern day church is losing its fundamentals to humanism and to the model of being run like a business. This can be the responsibility of all of us. I pray that the church will return to its fundamental beliefs, not modernization, and that today’s graduates will be a servant of the Lord in obedience like Abraham.”
Pastor Park also recalled the time he realized that God was leading the way even when he didn’t know where to go in his 32 years of ministry, and asked of the graduates to be obedient to God who works according to one’s faith.
The five graduates from this ceremony were Kang Myung Joo (B. Th), Lee Young Sook (M. Div.), Quak Seung eok (Th. M.), Kim Jung Hee, and Lee Jung Il. Lee young Sook received Award for Excellence in Dissertation and Award for Excellence in Grades.
President Kwon Oh Hyun emphasized strong obedience in his address: “Seminary Education is not completed in a few years. From the example of Abraham’s obedience, the heart of Simon Peter as he threw the fishing net relying on the word, to the reason Paul spreads the Gospel to the gentiles, the reason to devoting many years to theological education is for unconditional obedience. We’ve kept this school open for the last 40 years in difficult situations. My last words to my beloved students is to unconditionally devote yourselves to the Lord until the day the Lord calls you home.”
After the ceremony, the event ended with a congratulatory message from Dr. Lee Soo Il (Professor of Practical Theology), a word of encouragement from pastor Yoon Sook Hyun (Alumni President), musical saw performance from pastor Park Jong Il (Professor of Practical Theology), and benediction from Dr. Kwon Oh Hyun.
Theological Seminary of New York (TSNY) 38th Graduation Ceremony and President Kwon Oh Hyun’s Publication Ceremony
On their 41st anniversary, TSNY held their 38th graduation ceremony and president Kwon Oh Hyun’s publication ceremony at Good Shepherd Reformed Church (Pastor Park Jun Yeol) on May 19th (Sunday), 6pm.
After their establishment in 1978 and ever since the appointment of president Kwon Oh Hyun in 1987, TSNY has faithfully produced graduates. Dr. Lee Hyun Sook was appointed vice president last year and continues the legacy of President Kwon. Currently there are 12 branches and sister schools in operation.
At this year’s ceremony, pastor Han Myung Hee received an M. Div and presidential award through ‘the study of spiritual experiences in the Pauline church.’ Pastor Lee Joo Soo received his Th. M through ‘the study of the origin of apostleship and calling of apostle Paul.’
It was a meaningful time in which president Kwon Oh Hyun set an example to the students through his enthusiasm at a late age of 82 by publishing <Commentary of the Prophetic Book of Haggai> this year followed by <Commentary of the Prophetic Book of Habakkuk> last year.
There were 3 parts to the event in which the first part started with a worship service, followed by a publication ceremony, and ending with the graduation ceremony.
During the service, pastor Huh Guhl (President of Kyo Hyup) preached on Hebrews 11:1-3 titled “Through Faith.” He recalled that “being here in this place itself is grace” and pleaded with the students to walk in faith as they put their trust in the Lord. The service was led by pastor Shin Sung Neung (Professor of Systematic Theology), prayer by pastor Park Jun Yeol, scripture reading by Han Myung Hee (Student President), and praise by World Milal Missionary Choir.
In the following publication ceremony, Dr. Lee Hyun Sook explained the hard work of president Kwon Oh Hyun leading to the publication of his commentaries and gave a book review on how impressed she was on president Kwon’s unique perspective on two issues that cannot be found in traditional Haggai commentaries.
Dr. Yoo Dong Yoon (Missionary to India, professor of Practical Theology) gave a congratulatory message that he rejoices with the fact that he can be present with the president who ran the race to this day with one assurance that the kingdom of God is centered around Christ and the Bible and he highly commended president Kwon’s persistent one way life that sets an example for all.
During the presidential address, president Kwon Oh Hyun introduced his relationship with the two students receiving their degree and advised to carry only the cross of Christ and follow him solely. He also pleaded, “Even Apostle Paul didn’t preach anything but the cross of Jesus. As a student this will be your last lecture. I hope you will keep this message until the day the Lord calls.”
Pastor Kang Jin Suhk (Love Presbyterian Church) gave a congratulatory message: “We worry that the world is becoming darker but wouldn’t those who have the light shine more brightly in the dark? In that sense, I think it may be an easy road. I hope your ministry will shine the light and I congratulate you for being one with God.”
In the word of encouragement that followed, pastor Park Jin Ha pleaded: “Looking back as my years of ministry is coming to an end, I think graduation from the seminary is the beginning of hardship. I hope that you will die to yourself and look to and obey the way of the cross and that God will bring unity in your marriage so that the two may walk alongside each other in your ministry.”
After the presentation of gifts from the alumni and student organization, TSNY choir sang the offering song and Dr. Lee Soo Il (professor of Practical Theology) prayed for the offering. The day ended with announcements by vice president Lee Hyun Sook and benediction by pastor Huh Guhl.
