History

 

Asian Theological Seminary came into existence when, after planning and praying for almost 25 years, missionaries of the Far Eastern Gospel Crusade (now SEND International) finally realized their vision for a graduate-level training institution. In 1969, the first evening classes were held, with 23 part-time students, at a student center on Lerma Street, Sampaloc, Manila. From such humble beginnings, ATS steadily grew in faculty size and student population, necessitating transfers to different locations within Quezon City until, in 1980, under the presidency of Dr. Stewart De Boer, it finally settled down at its present location on Scout Madrinan.

As ATS grew, so did its support from the evangelical community. In 1975, the Conservative Baptist Mission and the Overseas Missionary Fellowship joined SEND International as co-sponsoring missions. ATS was then incorporated under a Board of Trustees that represented each sponsoring mission and several national churches.

With the arrival of Dr. William Dyrness in 1974 and Dr. Chester Wood in 1976, ATS gained a reputation for scholarship that attracted students not only from the Philippines but also from other Asian and Western countries. ATS offered its first Master of Theology (Th.M.) program in 1980, and its Extension Programs in 1983. Its second Th.M. was launched in 1986, this time in Communications.

The long search for an Asian president ended when Dr. Isabelo F. Magalit became president of ATS in 1989. The Christian Reformed World Mission became its fourth co-sponsoring mission, and an affiliate study center was begun: the ATS Center for Transformation Studies (ACTS). Though this Center is no longer functioning it helped set the stage for the continuing emphasis at ATS on transformation.

ATS obtained accreditation from the Association for Theological Education in South East Asia (ATESEA), the Asia Theological Association (ATA), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Today, ATS continues to do this as well as training pastors and workers who are not qualified for seminary education (graduate level). This is done through the ATS Center for Continuing Studies where we offer Certificate in Pastoral Ministry and Certificate in Biblical Interpretation. To know more about this certificate training programs, please click here.

With the appointment of a Chaplain and the establishment of Care Groups, more attention is given to spiritual formation. Fieldwork is stressed, along with internship programs.

The seminary currently offers six graduate level programs of education with foci on Pastoral Studies, Christian Education, Counseling, Biblical Studies, Theology and Intercultural and Urban Studies. Students could take the graduate Diploma, Master of Arts, or the Master of Divinity tracks.

ATS also has opened three centers to help equip not just the pastors but even Christian leaders. We have the Center for Biblical Stewardship (CBS), Center for Continuing Studies (CCS), and the Center for Transformation and Urban Studies Leadership (CTUL).

In its 42-year history, ATS has grown into a major interdenominational seminary serving approximately 100 different churches and para-church organizations in the Philippines and throughout Asia—surely a testament to God’s power, faithfulness and grace.