ABTS – Institution or Educational Movement?

ABTS contributed to this article

While some seminaries may measure their success by the number of leaders they equip for ministry, this is not the whole picture at Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS) in Lebanon anymore. Although their number of students currently ranges anywhere between 20 and 40, the reality is far different because ABTS has become much more than an institution – it has become an educational movement, a movement that continues to expand and impact its communities (both locally and regionally) far beyond its residential programs.

During the last five years, the Institute of Middle East Studies has touched the lives of hundreds of Christian leaders from the West and the Middle East. Through its annual Middle East Conference, it has challenged its attendees with new missional and missiological approaches that are more effective and more sensitive to their context. Likewise, the Educational Ministries Resource Center (EMRC) is having a growing educational impact. While the acquisition of significant physical resources is a priority, the greater priority is facilitating meaningful training of leaders. The center has already become a hub that offers help to the local churches by training elders and pastors, youth and Sunday School teachers, leaders of women’s groups and camp leaders. At an international level, the EMRC is involved in training theological faculties in intentional curricular design and implementation – a work which has a multileveled educational impact.

More recently, ABTS has started writing, translating and publishing quality theological material in Arabic, in cooperation with Dar Manhal al Hayat publishing house. ABTS cannot equip effective leaders for the Arab world without proper resources. This significant educational ministry will play an increasingly important role in the life of its leaders. These new resources will augment the diverse selection already available in the library to all local church leaders.

As ABTS looks to the future, it is already partnering with other ministries in developing holistic state-of-the-art distance education material. This material will provide accessible theological training for hundreds of Christian leaders throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Institutions look backward; movements look forward. The ABTS leadership team, faculty and Board of Trustees are seeking to intentionally embrace a “movement” outlook. While its residential students continue to be a high priority, ABTS as an educational movement is constantly seeking new and creative ways of fulfilling the educational missionary mandate of Jesus,“…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you….”

Graduate Ayyad from Egypt says, “I’m not the same person today who joined ABTS three years ago. I’ve grown so much spiritually, and my academic knowledge has expanded through acquiring tools and research methodologies that are keys for lifelong learning…The Church in the Arab World needs visionary leaders who are creative peacemakers and maintain a close walk with the Lord at the same time,…[and] seminary is where we come to grips with what it takes to be servants of the Lord.”

Click here to read more about ABTS’ Institute of Middle East Studies and annual Middle East Conference.