Commitment to excellence
By the grace of God the faculty and staff of EAST commit themselves to:
- Live godly lives and be above reproach as required of leaders by the Scriptures.
- Model a love for God and His Word and a commitment to His authority over our lives.
- Emphasize the integration of academics, character development, and ministry involvement.
- Provide an environment that will help students develop as spiritual multipliers.
- Demonstrate academic integrity and excellence by thorough preparation and effective communication of relevant information.
Priorities at EAST
In order to accomplish the mission of EAST, the school provides an educational experience that places high priority on the following values:
Transformation of life
The goal of the EAST experience is to see personal transformation and growth in the life of the student. Underlying all that we do is the purpose of equipping our students with a solid biblical foundation of knowing God and His Word: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Rom. 12:2). We believe that Christian ministry should spring from the overflow of a vital and intimate relationship with God. Therefore, the development of the character traits and biblical convictions found in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 are emphasized both in the classroom and in ministry situations.
Integrated education
In order to develop effective disciple-makers and leaders of spiritual movements, EAST helps each student develop an effective personal ministry so that he/she can integrate biblical truths and ministry skills in situations similar to those that he/she may encounter after graduation. There is thus an emphasis on the student’s field education experience. The development of each student’s ministry is monitored and evaluated to help him/her sharpen his/her ministry abilities. Our desire is that each student will be able to master skills of evangelism, discipleship, and other leadership skills that would enable to be an effective spiritual leader.
Community life
EAST seeks to develop an environment that promotes growth through caring interpersonal relationships, accountability, encouragement, and acts of grace, forgiveness and kindness. This is only possible when there is a shared commitment to apply biblical truths concerning how we should relate to one another in the community of faith. The student body comprises students from different nations representing different cultures of the world. Each student brings with him/her his/her unique cultural experience that creates challenges for cross-cultural adjustments, yet this also enriches the overall learning experience for the community.
Mentoring and modelling by faculty
EAST is committed to a mentoring model of education. In order to develop a strong relationship between students and faculty, the student/faculty ratio is kept low. Faculty members serve as mentors to their students, teaching and modelling a lifestyle that demonstrates faith in God, a deep walk with God, ministry proficiency, godly character, and academic excellence. Every resident faculty member, for example, models faith as a missionary teacher by trusting God to provide for his/her needs through raising his/her own finances.
Global vision for the Great Commission
EAST aspires to develop in each student a passion and vision for reaching the world for Christ. In collaboration with mission organizations and local churches, EAST continually exposes its students to the global harvest field. Through interaction with missionaries, sharing of field experiences, regular prayer times for missions, and missions assignments and course work, students have their vision enlarged and their burden for the harvest field deepened.
Equipping of spouses
EAST considers the spouses of its students to be partners in ministry. There is an emphasis of this familial commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and to Christian service. We therefore seek to equip married couples to work together as a team while in seminary in preparation for a lifetime of ministry together upon graduation. The Partners-in-Ministry programme is designed to encourage spouses to grow in biblical knowledge, Christian character, and ministry skills. As the spouses of our students grow, they will be better able to complement the students’ ministries and the overall effectiveness of the family is enhanced.
East Asia School of Theology (EAST) is an inter-denominational graduate seminary, committed to shaping Christlike leaders through solid biblical and theological knowledge, field-tested ministry skills, and character development. 