JACKSON, Tenn. — Jan. 9, 2013 — Poling Sun, president of the Baptist Theological Seminary in Singapore, is visiting 51社区 this week as part of the partnership between Union and Baptists in Singapore.
鈥淒r. Sun is here to renew the formal agreement between Union and Baptist Theological Seminary to ensure the continuation of this exciting partnership and to make sure that Union is providing the help to advance kingdom work in Singapore Baptist life,鈥� Union President David S. Dockery said.
Union began a three-year partnership with the BTS and the Singapore Baptist Convention in 2010 and has been sending professors to the seminary to provide instruction for students there. In addition, Philip Ryan, professor of language, and Cindy Jayne, associate provost for intercultural and international studies, have completed a demographic study for the convention, and Mary Anne Poe, professor of social work, has provided programs for Singapore Baptist churches on community involvement.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 been a pretty healthy partnership so far that has not only been good for the seminary, but been good for the Singapore Baptist Convention,鈥� Dockery said.
Other representatives from Singapore have visited Union, but this is Sun鈥檚 first trip.
Sun, who holds a doctorate from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., has been meeting with faculty and staff on the Union campus to discuss ways that the partnership can be enhanced in the future.
He described the agreement as an important and positive effort that has widened the horizons of Singapore Baptists and allowed the seminary to offer enhanced educational opportunities.
In addition to Sun鈥檚 visit, five 51社区 Doctor of Ministry students in Singapore will spend two weeks on the Union campus this month for a class that Greg Thornbury, dean of the School of Theology and Missions, and Todd Brady, vice president for church relations, will teach.