Brief History

In 1845, the Karen Bible School was founded in Moulmein (Mawlamyine) with thirteen students.
In 1859, the Bible School was moved from Moulmein to Rangoon (Yangon) at 143, St. John's Road (Minye Kyawswa Road) where the Burma Baptist Convention (Myanmar Baptist Convention) Headquarters was and is located. Again, in 1890, the site of the school was moved to Seminary Hill, Insein and it then became known as the Karen Theological Seminary.

The Principals of the School (Missionaries)
1. Rev. Binney - 1845 - 1850
2. Rev. Wade - 1851 - 1859
3. Rev. Bennet - 1860 - 1865
4. Rev. Carpenter - 1866 - 1876
5. Rev. D.A.W. Smith - 1877 - 1887
6. Rev. Cross - 1888 - 1895
7. Rev. D.A.W. Smith - 1896 - 1916
8. Rev. Thomas - 1917 - 1920
9. Rev. Dr. Marshall - 1921 - 1936
10. Rev. Gilmore - 1937
11. Rev. Grayham - 1938 - 1942
World War II - 1942 - 1945

National Principals
12. Rev. Dr. Chit Maung - 1945 - 1967
13. Rev. Mooler Theh - 1968 - 1976
14. Rev. Tah Moo - 1977 - 1985
15. Rev. Clifford Kyaw Dwe - 1973 -1983
16. Rev. Tun Meh - 1984 -1985

In 1895 the Karen (Kayin) Theological Seminary celebrated its Golden Jubilee immediately after which a self-support programme was introduced. A collection was taken and an amount of five thousand Rupees (Rs.5000) recevied for the mission of the Seminary to be carried on.
In 1894, Miss Lawrence started a Bible Training School for women in Thaton. Three years later, the school was moved from Thaton to Rangoon (Yangon) at Brayton Compound and again in 1935, it was moved from there to Cushing Compound. Then, after the lapse of six years, come the interruption by the Second World War (1942 -1945).After the war, in 1946, the Karen Women's Bible School resumed its work and is present location at Seminary Hill, Insein.

Principals of the Karen Women's Bible School
1. Miss Lawrence - 1894
2. Miss Mary Brayton Rose - 1897 - 1923
3. Miss Violetta R. Peterson - 1923 - 1928
4. Miss Alta O. Ragon - 1928 - 1930
5. Miss Violetta R. Peterson - 1930 - 1935
6. Miss Marion A. Beebe - 1935 - 1940
7. Miss Charity C. Carman - 1940 - 1942
8. Miss Marion A. Beebe - 1946 - 1948
1950 - 1965
9. Tharamu Laura - 1956 - 1957
10. Miss Marion A. Beebe - 1957 - 1961
11. Tharamu Laura - 1961 - 1963
12. Tharamu Sharo - 1963 - 1985

For many years, the Karen Theological Seminary together with the Karen Women's Bible School, carried on such activities as teaching, studying, worship service and gospel team activities, etc, and they shared the same dining hall. As for the administrative concern, each had its own trustees to which the responsibility was entrusted.
It was with the joint efforts of the Karen Theological Seminary (K.T.S) and the Karen Women's Bible School (K.W.B.S.) that these new programmes for the Diploma in Theology (Dip Theol.) and the Bachelor the Theology (B.Th.) were introduced.
The Karen Baptist theological Institute (K.B.T.I) was formerly started as the "Karen Women's Bible School" (for female students). The two schools were started separately, that is with classes held in different places and at different periods of time.
Eventually, both schools were moved to their present location at Seminary Hill, engaging in educational work and offering the Licentiate in Theology (L.Th.) programme for many years.
Realizing that the time was ripe for upgrading, the two schools made joint efforts and started offering the Diploma in Theology (Dip. Theol.) programme in the year 1973. Then again, the awareness that the situation called for a still higher education level led the two schools to jointly introduce the Bachelor of Theology (B. Th.) programme in 1982.
By the end of the school year (1985 - 86), the two boards of trustees from K.T.S. and K.W.B.S. were dissolved, and a new board of trustees was formed, merging the two schools into one under the new name of the "Karen Baptist Theological Institute" (K.B.T.I.). Being under the auspices of the Karen Baptist Convention, the main support for the Institute comes from the Karen Baptist Churches. When the B.Th. programme was first introduced, the medium of instruction for the L.Th. and Dip.Theol. Programme is still Karen whereas for the B.Th. programme, the medium of instruction is English. Commencing from the year 2000 the name of the school has become "Karen Baptist Theological Seminary" (K.B.T.S.) as per Vote No. Hta-Sa 2000/21 of the trustees.

The Principals of Karen Baptist Theological Seminary

1. Rev. Tun Meh - 1986 -1998
2. Rev. Dr. Doh Say - 1998- Present

Supporting Churches and Community
We maintain good relationship with the local churches of the associations by sending them greetings, letters of appreciation, and annual reports. The Karen Baptist Churches observe, annually, the second week of January as " Seminary Day " (K.B.T.S. Days). All the collections are taken and prayer offered for the Seminary. The programmes and delegates are sent to many churches.
The Seminary tries to help with the Pastor's Conferences in all the associations. delegates are sent to the associations for their annual meetings. During vacation time, gospel teams of the Seminary set out to reach as many Churches and areas as possible. through fieldwork, internship programmes, and gospel campaign programmes, we maintain good relationship with our supporting churches and these also serve to promote the relationship with the community. In order to make the churches and the community to be in touch with the Seminary the K.B.T.S. publishes the newsletter, "Voice from the Hill", which includes highlights f K.B.T.S. and articles written by faculty members.

Relationship with Universities
Some of the Karen Christian lecturers and professors from the Universities give their time and talents as volunteer teachers at the K.B.T.S.

Relationship with Theological Colleges
We have very good relationship with other theological colleges in the country through the Karen Baptist Convention and Karen Baptist Convention Theological Association as well as the Higher Theological Education of the Myanmar Baptist Convention and the Association for Theological Education in Myanmar.