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Fuller Theological Seminary

Pasadena, CA

private nonprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

Seminary
Type
$123M
Endowment
(2024)
Special Focus Four-Year
Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Fuller Theological Seminary

Fuller Theological Seminary: Pioneering evangelical thought and global mission since 1947.

Fuller Theological Seminary, established in 1947 by visionary radio evangelist Charles E. Fuller and pastor Harold Ockenga, quickly became a pivotal institution in the evangelical world. Born from a desire to intellectualize fundamentalism and champion social activism, Fuller aimed to be "a Caltech of the evangelical world," challenging separatist and anti-intellectual trends of its time. It has played a significant role in shaping neo-evangelicalism and progressive theology, fostering robust theological discourse.

A cornerstone of Fuller's academic prowess is its renowned School of World Mission, founded in 1965 by recruiting influential missiologists like Donald McGavran. This school rapidly grew to become the largest missions training institution globally, boasting the largest faculty and graduating the most missions students of any seminary. Its groundbreaking work in missiology has profoundly influenced world missions for decades, attracting students passionate about global engagement.

Fuller has been led by six presidents, including its current leader, David Emmanuel Goatley, who made history in 2023 as the first African American to hold the position. With 2,370 students enrolled in 2022, Fuller continues its legacy of academic rigor and spiritual formation, providing a dynamic environment for those seeking to integrate faith with intellectual inquiry and practical service.

Key Highlights

  • Founded in 1947 by prominent evangelists Charles E. Fuller and Harold Ockenga.
  • Established to reform fundamentalism's anti-intellectual stance and champion Christian social activism.
  • Its School of World Mission is the largest missions training institution in the world.
  • The School of World Mission boasts the largest amount of missions faculty globally.
  • Graduates the most missions students of any seminary worldwide.
  • Enrolled 2,370 students in 2022.
  • David Emmanuel Goatley became the first African American president in 2023.

Timeline

1947
Fuller Theological Seminary founded by Charles E. Fuller and Harold Ockenga
1954
Edward John Carnell becomes the second president
1963
David Allen Hubbard becomes the third president
1965
School of World Mission established, with Donald McGavran as its first dean
1993
Richard Mouw becomes the fourth president
2013
Mark Labberton becomes the fifth president
2023
David Emmanuel Goatley becomes the sixth and first African American president

Schools & Colleges

1 notable schools within Fuller Theological Seminary

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School of World Mission

Became the largest missions training institution in the world, with the most missions faculty and graduates, profoundly shaping global missions.

Leadership

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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