Presbyterian Theological Seminary (PTS) was founded in 1969 to train men and women from a Bible-believing, Reformed perspective for service in God’s kingdom. The Seminary began with seven students on the roll in Roorkee, then a part of the state of Uttar Pradesh. In 1978 PTS moved to its present location in Dehradun.
The decision to establish a Presbyterian Seminary to prepare pastors, teachers and other leaders was made on February 1, 1969 at a joint meeting of two evangelical presbyteries – the North India Presbytery of the Bible Presbyterian Church (BPC) and the Saharanpur Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian Church RPC). Later on, these two presbyteries united to form one denomination.
PTS was established at a time when Presbyterian theological training institutions were closing their doors. Churches and missionaries were heavily influenced by theological liberalism. A spirit of ecumenism that downplayed distinctive doctrines of churches was prevailing. Bible-believing Presbyterians in North India had no place for training their pastors. The founding of PTS was a response to that need.
Training indigenous leadership for the Indian church was felt to be a priority in the 1960’s. The political situation in the country was adversely affecting the work of the gospel. Foreign missionaries were being denied permits to enter the country. Training Indian leaders was an urgent need. Sending students abroad for training was not considered feasible for a number of reasons. Thus, the establishment of PTS was an attempt at producing indigenous leadership for the Indian Church.
Initially, developing leadership for the church in North India was the concern of the founders. But in God’s providence, almost from the beginning, students and teachers from other parts of India also joined the Seminary. In due course, students from neighbouring countries also came for training at PTS. Thus, PTS has been serving the church in South Asia through leadership training.
God used a number of highly dedicated men and women to give leadership to the Seminary. The names of Rev. Frank Fiol, Rev. John L. Dorsey and Rev. Gordon R. Taylor are especially noteworthy among the founders of the Seminary. They gave shape to a vision shared by many pastors and leaders of the church at that time.
Administrative leadership was given by Dr Richard Strom and his wife, Mrs Donna Strom, from the beginning till 1986. Dr David G. Fiol served for a year as Principal during 1986-87. He was followed by the first Indian Principal, Dr Mohan Chacko, whose tenure extended from 1987 till 2014. He still continues on the Faculty after stepping down as Principal. Dr Matthew Ebenezer followed as Principal from 2014 till July 2020, when the present Principal, Rev Abhishek Barla, was appointed.
Many of the teaching Faculty at the beginning were from abroad. In addition to the Stroms, Rev Gordon R. Taylor and Dr Bruce Fiol taught at PTS for a number of years. Indian Faculty at that time included Rev. Stanley Ramsey, Rev. Johnson Dean, Mr. Jacob Chacko and several others. In the 1980’s, several others joined the Faculty, and several were sent abroad for further studies. During this period guest teachers from abroad, mostly from the United States, the Netherlands, and later from Australia, helped with the teaching. The guest teachers filled a great need in the staffing, and also brought to PTS the unique strengths of different evangelical, Reformed traditions. At present, PTS has about a dozen full time Faculty members, fully committed to the Reformed faith. Most of them are former students of PTS, and are well qualified with Master of Theology and doctoral degrees.
Through the years, the academic program got strengthened along with the Faculty. The earliest graduates received a Graduate of Theology or Licentiate in Theology. Later, PTS began to offer a Bachelor of Theology degree. This degree was accredited in 1985. Within a few years a three-year Master of Divinity program was established, also accredited by Asia Theological Association. At present, plans are in place for a Master of Theology in Old Testament and Mission.
During the 50 plus years of its existence, God has blessed PTS immensely. It has made a contribution to the church in South Asia, particularly to the Reformed and Presbyterian churches. God has used it to plant many congregations and even denominations through its graduates. Through all these, the original vision and foundation remains unchanged, but strengthened.