Every course I have taken has been miraculously timed by the Lord to fit in with the questions I had, the skills I needed to develop practically or issues I needed to think through at the time. (Graduate in Thailand)
[ABTS professors are] the life models through which our Lord continues to move, convict and shape my life. (Hong Kong Grad)
My greatest appreciation for the vision of the seminary in bringing the training and tools to my country. (Philippine student)
The History of ABTS . . .
Filipino missionaries to Thailand in 1982 recognized the need to establish a Bible school to train pastors for PABWE churches, but how could they teach on an undergraduate level, without masters degrees? ABTS founder Dr. John Lillis, working with Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, brought the accredited In-Ministry Master of Religious Education degree to them in 1983. Both Thais and missionaries welcomed the Extension Program: "All we were asking for was a Piper Cub—you brought us a 747."
From the beginning ABTS has been a mission enterprise fielding quality master's level education at subsidized prices. The administrators and professors in Singapore are missionaries supported by churches and friends and serve with the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism. Professors from Grand Rapids and adjunct faculty volunteer their time to teach and mentor.
With no physical buildings or residential campus, the Regional Office first located in Thailand, then operated from the Philippines and since 1992 from Singapore.
Students first ordered taped extension courses in 1983. The first seminars were taught in Thailand in 1984 and in Manila 1986. Seminar sites were opened in Yangon Burma'87, Iloilo Philippines '88, and Hong Kong '89. Singapore '95 was our first site that required government application and approval.
Then Davao '99 and Baguio '03 were added in the Philippines where nearly half of our student body ministers. ABWE missionaries and Christian leaders in Papua New Guinea welcomed their first ABTS seminar in 2005. Trial seminars have been held in Australia and in December of 2006 Korea held their first ABTS class. Exploration of opportunities into China are next on the agenda.
We welcome your participation in this unique master's program. Contact us and see how you can help.
