By Jeff Jones, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary

GREENSBORO, N.C. (BP) -- Ministry partnerships were the focus of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary President Jeff Iorg's address to messengers attending the recent annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Iorg invited Colorado Baptist Convention Executive Director Mark Edlund to participate in the California seminary's annual report to the SBC on June 13.

"Passion drives our students and graduates to sacrificial service for Jesus Christ," Iorg said.  "Our students humble me with their passion for taking the gospel to the world, from Mormon-dominated communities in the American West to Islamic strongholds of terror in the 10/40 window, from affluent suburbs in Seattle, to the city dump in Managua, Nicaragua."

Iorg also referred to a new partnership with Korean Baptist Theological Seminary, the largest Baptist seminary in South Korea.  According to the agreement, Golden Gate will provide a place for the Korean seminary's students to learn about American culture while receiving theological education at the Northern California campus.

Iorg invited Edlund to tell messengers about the seminary's partnership with western state conventions, Golden Gate operates a campus near Denver, where students can receive a theological education without leaving Colorado.

Edlund estimated that the non-Christian population in Colorado is around 90 percent.

"Our strategy is simple," he said.  "We pray the Luke 10:2b prayer that the Lord of the harvest will raise up workers for the harvest.  And the Lord has answered this prayer by calling out a constant flow of passionate indigenous minsters -- Coloradans who need quality training and equipping.

"Our Colorado students receive their training in the laboratory where they actually minister.  They have a full understanding of the western culture from the beginning -- no cross-cultural adaptation necessary," Edlund said.

Iorg ended the report by expressing gratitude to the SBC for providing Cooperative Program support, which amounts to about 36 percent of Golden Gate's budget.

"Thank you for posting us in the American West and sending us on mission to the world," he said.