Southern Asia Bible College

Southern Asia Bible College more commonly known as SABC is one of Asia's largest Bible colleges. It is located in a vast area of 21 acres in the city of Bangalore, India.

Theological training

Established in the year 1951, Southern Asia Bible College is a theological training institution of the Assemblies of God in Southern Asia. Founded by Alfred Cawston in 1951 as 'Southern Asia Bible Institute' with a vision to prepare men and women for the work of Christian ministry in Southern Asia. Today it has grown to be one of the largest theological institutions in Asia with over 300 students.

As the Regional ministerial training institution of the Assemblies of God for Southern Asia, SABC SABC operates under the leadership of the Board of Directors which consist of leaders representing the Assemblies of God constituencies in Southern Asia and the Assemblies of God World Mission. The Graduate program in theology (G.Th) was introduced in the year 1958, and a Bachelor's degree (B.Th)was introduced in the year 1970.

Southern Asia Bible College is an active member of The Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), The Asia Theological Association (ATA) and The Assemblies of God Association for Theological Education in Southern Asia (AGATESA). The degree programs (B.Th. and M.Div.) are fully accredited by The Asia Theological Association.

Its former Principal/President Dr. A.C. George (first national Principal) is one of the first from among the Pentecostals in India with an earned Ph.D. Dr. Ivan Satyavrata, the Senior Pastor of the Assembly of God Church in Kolkata, Dr. D. Mohan the Senior Pastor of the New Life Assembly of God Church in Chennai, Rev. Paul Thangiah the Senior Pastor of the Full Gospel Assembly of God Church in Bangalore are all graduates of Southern Asia Bible College.

The largest percentage of the graduates of Southern Asia Bible are engaged in Christian ministry. There is, however, a smaller number who have ventured out into journalism, social work, hospital work, teaching and administration, making in the process a very lasting and uniquely Christian impact on secular society.

SABC is situated in the twenty-one acre campus and is located on the outskirts of Bangalore. There is residential facility for 150 single men, 50 single women and 12 apartments for married students. There are also adequate number of lecture halls, A large auditorium for community functions, a multi-media conference facility, a chapel for times of corporate worship, a multi-purpose games field and sports room, a spacious cafeteria, residences for faculty and staff, a guest-house for visiting faculty and others.

The present campus in Kothanur was born in the late 1960's as the brainchild of Rev. Dr. Andrew McDearmid, one of the last American missionary principals of SABC. The first batch of students and staff moving into the "new campus" at Kothanur in the summer of 1970. Since that time further new buildings have been added to the campus making it what it is today.

Offered education

SABC offers the following programs:
* Master of Divinity, a three-year(six semester) degree program designed for graduates of recognized Universities.
* Bachelor of Theology, a three-year(six semester) degree program designed for those qualified for university education.
* Diploma in Christian Ministry, a one-year(two-semester) diploma program designed for mature candidates involoved in Christian Ministry.
* Doctor of Ministry, a three-year(six semester) degree program, currently in design.

The Distance Learning Department of SABC offers Bachelor of Theology and Master of Divinity programs by distance learning. Efforts are underway to launch internet based e-learning programs. As of now, more than two thousand five hundred alumni of SABC serve in various ministries throughout Southern Asia and elsewhere.

The Cawston Learning Resource Centre

The CLRC, a modern computerized learning resource facility, with more than 40,000 volumes of books, periodicals, and other audio-visual resources has enhanced the learning facility. The Mission Resource Center and the Pentecostal Study Center located in the CLRC cater to specific interest groups in training.

External links

* [http://www.sabconline.com the college's website ]