Translated by Lydia Ma

The history of the Tainan Theological College and Seminary is reflective of the history of the Christian church in Taiwan. This seminary was founded in 1876 by British missionary Rev. Thomas Barclay and it was first called a “college”. In those early days, Rev. David Smith wrote a letter home to report that “Taiwan really needs to put into place a system capable of educating and nurturing talented and willing youths so that they can be used by God.”

Though the seminary closed 4 times between 1876 and 1895 due to lack of professors and the outbreak of two wars, it reopened its doors in 1896. Thirteen students registered to study at Tainan Seminary when it re-opened in 1896. In February of 1897, Taiwan Church News reported that all of these students were hard-working and of good moral character. Because the students had one test every week, the newspaper would report on the grades of the top students as a means to encourage them. Furthermore, the students cleaned up the campus every Saturday and also went out to evangelize.

Tainan Seminary installed its first native Taiwanese president – Rev. Shoki Coe – in August 1949. With his help and with the assistance of churches from around the world, the seminary grew to become an established theological institution. Under Shoki Coe’s leadership, Tainan Seminary began to promote “contextual theology” training. This type of training would later cement Tainan Seminary as an institution rooted in the land of Taiwan and open to learning from other churches from around the world.

Financial donations from local churches and parishioners account for 65% of Tainan Seminary’s revenue. The seminary depends on God for financial provision and it also does its best in collaborating with the PCT General Assembly and other PCT institutions to nurture generation after generation of faithful pastors. The goal of students and faculty members at Tainan Seminary is to humbly serve and glorify God and be a source of blessing to people. So, in every decision made and in every penny spent, we try our best not to disappoint the Lord.

As we mark Tainan Seminary Sunday, we hope that our fellow brothers and sisters can become this seminary’s support. Together, let us nurture a generation of pastors and talented individuals who love to study, possess good character, evangelize with passion, love Taiwanese languages, identify with Taiwan, support marginalized folks, and serve their Lord and their society in the spirit of “burning but not consumed”.