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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.
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