Asia school models evangelical unity and cooperation

Asia Graduate School of Theology (AGST) in the Philippines is a consortium of eight evangelical seminaries belonging to different denominations and mission organizations, providing a good example of evangelical unity and cooperation as well as good stewardship of God’s resources. Rather than each seminary duplicating programs or offering their own, the schools share resources and work together to offer joint ThM and doctoral programs.

Committed to “preparing scholars and leaders for the Church in Asia and the Pacific,” AGST is responding to the dire need to raise academic and ministry standards of Asian churches, organizations and theological institutions. Graduates are actively involved in strategic ministries as church/denominational leaders, faculty members and leaders of theological institutions in Asia and beyond. AGST continues to develop programs and courses that respond to the needs of churches and society, including the newest program, the DMin in Biblical Peacemaking in partnership with OC and Peacemaker Ministries. A doctoral program in Holistic Child Development is also being developed in partnership with Compassion International and Fuller Theological Seminary.

Doctor of Ministry graduate Dr. Ruben Ciron says, “My AGST training molded me into a whole person: physical, spiritual, emotional and relational. It enhanced my spiritual maturity, allowing me to obtain the skills for active involvement in church and parachurch ministries.” Dr. Ciron is currently the Vice President for Southeast Asia of the Association of Military Christian Fellowships International (serving Christ while serving the nations’ armed forces); the Director of International Teams-Philippines ministry (sending self-supporting Filipino missionaries abroad); and the Director of Fellowship of Christians in Government (network of Christians in government providing excellent public service).

Four OC partner seminaries in the Philippines are members of the AGST consortium:
Alliance Graduate School (AGS)
Asian Theological Seminary (ATS)
International Graduate School of Leadership (IGSL)
Biblical Seminary of the Philippines (BSOP)