• Thailand (1983)
  • Thailand Coordinator
  • Location
  • Registration
  • Schedule
  • History
• Philippines (1985)
  • Philippines Coordinator
  • Location
  • Registration
  • Schedule
  • History
• Myanmar (1988)
  • Myanmar Coordinator
  • Location
  • Registration
  • Schedule
  • History
• Hong Kong (1989)
  • Hong Kong Coordinator
  • Location
  • Registration
  • Schedule
  • History
• Singapore (1994)
  • Resident Staff Coordinating
  • Location
  • Registration
  • Schedule
  • History
• Papua New Guinea (2005)
  • Papua New Guinea Coordinators
  • Location
  • Registration
  • Schedule
  • History
• South Korea (2006)
  • Coordinator
  • Location
  • Registration
  • Schedule
  • History
• Australia (2007 Pending)
  • Coordinator
  • Location
  • Registration
  • Schedule
  • History
• Potential New Sites
  • Chiang Mai, Thailand
  • China
  • India-Nepal
  • Japan
• Students from outside site areas
  • Contact ABTS office in Singapore
  • Location
  • Registration
  • Schedule
  • History
• Southeast Asia Map

Asia has a plethora of religions and invites a tendency to blend some of the old practices . . . That's why we insist that students be able to discern what is biblical, what is unbiblical; what is truth, what is untruth; and not simply accept everything that is presented to them. (Dr. Nienhuis)

What drives me to study is the hunger for learning. I know that someday God would bring me back to the class room to train future pastors and Christian workers. (Philippine Grad)

The more I have studied with the program, the more confident and committed I have become in the area of using the Bible as a key tool in my ministry. (Student in Thailand)

God at work in Singapore

In 1989, Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary (GRBS), The Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE) and Baptist Mid-Missions (BMM) approved the move of ABTS from Manila, Philippines to Singapore.  ABTS was then called the Southeast Asia Extension Program (SAEP) and Asia Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS), the first being an accredited program and the second, a non-accredited program enabling those at differing educational levels to participate.

On January 10, 1992 word was received from the government via our lawyer that we had conditional approval to move to Singapore.  The condition was that there needed to be a name change from SAEP, so we were then registered as the Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary Extension Program (GRBSEP).

With this word of approval, the headquarters of ABTS was to be shifted from Manila, Philippines to Singapore.  After meetings with the lawyer and with potential sponsors, many trips to government offices and banks, the intensive work of surveying for potential housing and office space, and the raising of the needed relocation funds, the headquarters was able to move in June of 1992.  There was much appreciation for the invaluable work of Jim and Shirley Moore and Jean Shawver during this transition time.  Dave and Marilyn Clark were on their scheduled furlough. The Bob and Esther Rapa family arrived in August and Norman (the new Director of ABTS) and Louise Barnard followed in September.  In February 1994, Bob and Esther Howder transitioned from ministry in Japan to join the Singapore office.

By December 1992 ABTS had been granted registration with the Registrar of Societies and charitable status with the Inland Revenue Authority.  Application was then made to the Ministry of Education for approval to teach classes in Singapore.  On March 16, 1995 a letter from the Ministry of Education was received granting permission to offer ABTS classes in Singapore.  That same month brought the resignation from ABTS of the Moores.  

In July of 1993 Jean Shawver returned to the States to take up ministry there. The Clarks resigned from ABTS in January of 1998 and went on to minister in another part of Asia (as did the Moores).  Jim and Karen Blumenstock arrived in January 2004 and Andy and Deanna Pasma and daughter came in August 2004. Bob and Esther Rapa rejoined the team
in July of 2005. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Tim and Charlene Miskimen family, the Daron and Yunae Wilson family, Donna Messenger and others who will soon be in process to become a part of the ABTS team.

Singapore is a convenient hub for air travel to all the teaching sites and also has a very stable government. The infrastructure is amazing and Singapore offers the team a clean and safe place to headquarter. 

Part of the rich history of ABTS in Singapore includes some Singaporeans who were familiar with professors at CU in Michigan, USA.  These Singaporeans were able to help the program find local sponsors who became the liaison between ABTS and the government.  The sponsors of ABTS are an invaluable part of this ministry.

Singaporean churches are very supportive in terms of using the ABTS professors as ones who preach in their churches, speak at retreats and camps, and minister in their small group meetings.  A few Singaporean churches have taken up the challenge of supporting the program financially as well.  And some individuals have been very encouraging to ABTS.  One dear friend has for many years come in to audit our financial records as her ministry to the Lord.  And some, by their financial gifts, because the Lord has given them the spiritual gift and enabled them, have helped meet the needs of this ABTS ministry.  And other individuals offer their time as volunteers for the many projects that would not get done if God had not provided these volunteers to ABTS.

The student body has been very diverse in terms of ethnicity and denomination.  A number of students from other countries have also found the Singapore site enticing and have flown in to take seminars. 

Singapore has 12 graduates with about 20 active students.  We look forward to an increase in active students and graduates in the next 10 years.

For the next portion of the history of ABTS please go to the history section of seminary in Papua New Guinea.