Vanderbilt Divinity School Professor Writes in Support of the Hanyang + Bonafi AI Job Training Program

Northridge, CA — July 30, 2026 — Hanyang Presbyterian Church has received a letter of support for the Hanyang + Bonafi AI Job Training Program from The Rev. Eunjoo Mary Kim, Ph.D., the Charles G. Finney Chair and Professor of Homiletics and Liturgics at Vanderbilt University Divinity School.

Dr. Kim is the principal investigator of a forthcoming $5 million Lilly Endowment grant proposal (2027–2031) focused on intergenerational Korean American Christian storytelling — the Korean American Christian Faith and Life Storytelling Project. The letter, dated July 28, 2026, describes how the AI Training Program’s focus on digital literacy, AI-assisted media production, and multilingual content creation aligns with that project’s vision, and how the program would prepare its graduates to contribute meaningfully if the project is funded.

“Their collaboration represents an innovative model of church-based workforce development that aligns well with the Lilly Endowment’s commitment to supporting congregational vitality, intergenerational engagement, and culturally meaningful ministry.”

The Letter

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to express my strong support for the emerging collaboration between Hanyang Presbyterian Church and Bonafi, Inc. to develop an AI Training Program for youth and young adults in the Korean American community of Los Angeles. As a faculty member at the Vanderbilt University Divinity School and the principal investigator of a forthcoming $5 million Lilly Endowment grant proposal (2027–2031) focused on intergenerational Korean American Christian storytelling, I believe this initiative aligns closely with our proposed project’s goals and long-term vision.

The Lilly Endowment Storytelling Project seeks to empower Korean American congregations and young adults to articulate, preserve, and share their faith journeys through digital storytelling. Achieving this vision will require participants to develop proficiency with AI-enabled tools and digital media production, including automated video editing, audio production, short- and long-form video creation, and multilingual content generation. These technologies are essential for engaging younger generations, who increasingly communicate, learn, and express their identities through digital platforms. By equipping local Gen Z young adults with foundational digital literacy, AI-assisted media production skills, and hands-on experience with emerging creative technologies, the AI Training Program will significantly strengthen both the capacity for and the quality of content creation. It will also prepare participants to make meaningful contributions to the Lilly Endowment Storytelling Project if it is funded.

I am encouraged by the shared vision of Hanyang Presbyterian Church and Bonafi to serve the broader Korean American community through accessible, bilingual, and culturally grounded technology education. Their collaboration represents an innovative model of church-based workforce development that aligns well with the Lilly Endowment’s commitment to supporting congregational vitality, intergenerational engagement, and culturally meaningful ministry.

I look forward to continued dialogue and collaboration as this initiative develops, and I am confident that the AI Training Program will become a valuable partner in advancing the goals of the Korean American Christian Faith and Life Storytelling Project.

Sincerely,

The Rev. Eunjoo Mary Kim, Ph.D. Charles G. Finney Chair Professor of Homiletics and Liturgics Vanderbilt University Divinity School

About the Program

The Hanyang + Bonafi AI Job Training Program, announced July 16, is a 12-week hybrid workforce-development program — in person at Hanyang’s facilities in Northridge and online through Bonafi’s learning platform. The curriculum moves from AI foundations and digital literacy through technical skills (Python, data analysis, AI agents and chatbots) to career readiness, ending in a capstone project presented at a Demo Day with employers. Graduates leave with a working portfolio, résumé and interview preparation, and direct employer connections.

About Hanyang Presbyterian Church

Hanyang Presbyterian Church (www.nhy.church), located at 9650 Reseda Blvd in Northridge, CA, is a PC(USA) congregation dedicated to service and outreach in the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles area.