Kachin Theological College and Seminary

The history of Kachin Theological College (KTC), now Kachin Theological College and Seminary (KTCS), can be traced back to 1901. Rev. Dr. Ola Hanson, a missionary who translated the Bible into Kachin, introduced Bible classes for Kachin and Karen evangelists somewhere in Myitkyina, Bhamo and Nam Hkam in 1901. Rev. Sword, another American missionary, also established a small Bible school in Nam Hkam. These Bible classes could be considered as the forerunners of KTCS. But the actual formation of Kachin Bible School took place not until 1932. In 1930, three of the Kachin ethnic leaders - Maran Robin (Myitkyina); Lahpai Zau Tu (Bhamo); and Labya De (Shan State) went and requested at the Convention meeting of the Board of American Baptist Mission headquartered in Yangon to grant a separate Bible School for the Kachin church. Consequently, the request was accepted and finally led to the initial planning for the formation of Kachin Bible School. While this formation was in the process, Rev. George J. Geis and Mrs. Geis, a former retired missionary couple, were requested to return to Kachin State and to resume their ministry as the principal of the Bible school. Arriving back in Bhamo in 1931, the Kachin Bible School was established in the mission compound in Bhamo on June 1, 1932. The Bible School was started with 9 students in the first year. KTCS made a significant milestone in 2008 as she celebrated 75th anniversary Diamond Jubilee. In order to establish a monument for the anniversary, the working committee of the Diamond Jubilee constructed the three-storeyed Diamond Jubilee Building which is able to accommodate over a hundred of students. After the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee, KTCS made another great effort to build a Main Building, which provides class rooms, meeting rooms, faculty offices, student recreation centre and other multifunctional rooms. This main building will be dedicated on March 2015 for the ministry of God's Kingdom. In 2013-2014 academic year, the liberal arts program, Bachelor of Arts in Theological Studies (BATS) majoring in English and Music was launched. KTCS is also in the process of offering Computer Science program. This history is evidence of the stability of KTCS as an institution of higher learning. Increasingly, the college and seminary is recognized as one of the largest seminaries in Myanmar. She was founded for the purpose of training and nurturing God’s people develop effective leadership in the life of the church and society and to this purpose KTCS has remained true.