Several Visiting Evaluation teams were sent out in the month of October and these visits were not only limited to institutions in Asia, but extended also to Europe. The institutions visited were in the following countries: Philippines, Spain, and Japan. 

The Institutions visited in the Philippines were the Biblical Seminary of the Philippines (BSOP) and the International Graduate School of Leadership (IGSL). BSOP was visited last 7-9 October by a team composed of Drs. Madeline Vega, Adjunct Faculty, Asian Theological Seminary, Philippines; Rosalind Tan, Director, Holistic Development Institute, Malaysia Baptist Seminary and Director of Education Programs, AGST Alliance; and Dr. Samuel Sidjabat, Principal, Tyrannus Bible Seminary of the Philippines. With the vision of “disciple-making servant leaders building up the Body of Christ in Asia and beyond that effects biblical impact on peoples across cultures, BSOP aspires to develop their students holistically by aiding their spiritual formation, growing their knowledge of the Bible along with their ministry skills. IGSL on the other hand was visited last 10-12 October by a team consisting of Drs. Dick Eugenio, Academic Dean, APNTS, Philippines; Samuel Sidjabat and Rosalind Tan. Its vision was first born out of that of its founding organization, Campus Crusade for Christ and it is “to help train, develop, and mobilize Christian leaders around the world to fulfil the Great Commission of Christ”. But with the changing times, the institution has adapted its vision to read as “a growing network of Christ- like leaders who are building movements that are transforming lives, communities, and nations for the glory of God. IGSL hopes to cultivate servant-steward leaders who are not only spirit filled, but are also strategic in order to fulfil the Great Commission. 

From the Philippines, we move to Spain, and the institution visited there was the International Chinese Biblical Seminary (ICBSIE) in Europe. ICBSIE was visited last 14-16 October by a team composed of Drs. Andreas Himawan, ATA Chairperson; Lily Chua, China Evangelical Seminary, Theresa Lua, ATA General Secretary. Being in a situation where in a diverse group of Chinese immigrants has come to settle, ICBSIE serves to unite the different Chinese Churches across Europe and has in fact already had a strong impact among them. Its vision is to see “every Chinese Church in Europe to have its own pastor and for each pastor to be amply prepared.” It aims to participate in building God’s kingdom by preparing fulltime ministers for both the church and the mission field and also by training lay leaders.ICBSIE does not have any denominational affiliation.

The last institutions visited in the month of October are back in Asia, particularly, in Japan. The two institutions visited in Japan were Central Bible College (CBC) and the Tokyo Biblical Seminary (TBS), both in Tokyo. The Central Bible College was visited last 28-30 October by a team composed of Drs. Ng Peh Cheng, Associate Secretary of Accreditation and Educational Development, ATA; Akio Hashimoto, Professor, Kobe Lutheran Theological Seminary, Kobe, Japan; and J. Randall Short, Professor of Old Testament, Tokyo Christian University, Chiba, Japan. CBC was founded in 1949 by the Japan Assemblies of God (JAG) and was originally named Central Bible Institute. While it changed its name to what it is known today, CBC has maintained its vision to “train God’s workers for service” and continues to be affiliated with JAG and also serves and works with other Pentecostal churches. And finally, the Tokyo Biblical Seminary which was visited by the same team members as CBC, did so last 30 October to 01 November. Founded in 1949, the Tokyo Biblical Seminary was borne from the efforts of the Japan Holiness Church (JHC) with the assistance of One Mission Society (formerly called Oriental Missionary Society) and was first known as Tokyo Bible Seminary. TBS had undergone several transitions, from moving locations, to the transfer of its ownership from OMS to JHC. The institution is currently led by Dr. Hiroshi Nishikori. 

Let us praise God for all the institutions visited in the busy month of October and let us uphold these institutions in prayer as they seek to follow God’s calling for them.