About Us

Asian American students have been an integral part of Fuller Theological Seminary's diverse academic community since the early 1950s, as pioneered by Japanese American students. Formal efforts to establish a dedicated Asian American program commenced in 2009, under the leadership of Daniel D. Lee, a ThM student in the School of Intercultural Studies at that time. These efforts were conducted under the supervision and support of Dr. Howard Loewen, Dean of the School of Theology. In July 2013, a significant milestone was achieved with the establishment of the Asian American Initiative, made possible by a generous grant from the L2 Foundation. Dr. Ken Fong was appointed as the part-time executive director, while Daniel D. Lee, then a PhD student, assumed the role of full-time associate director. This initiative focused on developing Asian American course offerings and programs within the seminary.

In July 2016, 70 years after the founding of the Seminary, the Center for Asian American Theology and Ministry (now the Asian American Center–AAC) was founded under the directorship of Dr. Daniel D. Lee. The establishment of the AAC represented a pivotal advancement in the seminary's dedication to addressing the unique theological and ministerial needs of Asian American Christians. Currently, the AAC functions as a resource for students, pastors, ministers, and mental health practitioners through the Center's initiatives, namely the Asian American Pastoral Formation Initiative, Asian American Well-being Collaboratory, Asian American Christian History Institute, the Filipino American Ministry Initiative, and the Korean American Ministry Initiative.