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About

US

The story of our journey

ETSC was founded in 1863 on the houseboat Ibis, which was used as a floating seminary for theological studies and practical training. This houseboat used to sail upriver from Aswan in the South to Cairo in the North, where students received lessons from their teachers in the morning and were then trained to do practical ministry in various villages in the evening.

The Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo (ETSC)

Was founded by early Presbyterian missionaries in 1863. At that time the seminary had a floating campus on board the houseboat Ibis, as the missionaries sailed up and down The Nile visiting cities and villages to evangelize and train leaders. Later, ETSC moved to the city of Asuit, then to Azbakiya with the turn of the twentieth century. In 1926, our current campus was established with the purchase of land in Al-Abbasiya in central Cairo, totaling 3600 square meters, and a two-story building was soon erected. This building now houses classrooms as well as staff and faculty offices.

Later, in the sixties, a six-story building

Was added to include the seminary library and residence for the faculty. And in the nineties, another 8-story building was constructed to include a dinning hall with a large kitchen, a 250-seat auditorium, and a student dormitory to house up to 80 students. Recently, a multipurpose sports-field was prepared on the remaining small area between the three buildings, officially marking the maximum possible utilization of the campus space the seminary had with its initial land purchase.

For many years now, we’ve prayed

For an opportunity to expand our facilities, knowing full well that our options were quite limited due to the high density of our neighborhood in Cairo. However, our God is always faithful to supply all our needs according to his riches in glory. In 2011, an unexpected opportunity presented itself as a new building was being erected adjacent to our property. We sensed that this was God’s answer to our prayers, and see it as the final possible option for ETSC to expand its facilities in this current location in the foreseeable future. God gave us grace in the eyes of the landlord, and we signed a contract allowing ETSC to purchase the entire first floor of the new building, with private access from campus. The new floor adds 1300 square meters to our campus an area larger than the total area of the original Administration/Academic building, and will undoubtedly enhance and add to our facilities.

Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo 150 years

Evangelical Theological Seminary

in Cairo 150 years

Rev. Dr. Atef Gendi, PhD Former Seminary Dean Preface Prepared on the occasion of its 150th anniversary, this booklet presents glimpses into the history of the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo (ETSC). Throughout its history, the seminary has played an important role in preparing church leaders and ministers for Egypt and many other countries in the world. In the tradition of the school of Alexandria in the first centuries of Christianity, ETSC carries a great theological and educational responsibility in Egypt. Throughout the generations the seminary’s message has been characterized by both tradition and modernity. On the one hand, the seminary has been concerned to be faithful to an evangelical and Reformed theology, one that is rooted in the word of God and guided by the Presbyterian heritage in all its authenticity, depth, and enlightened zeal. On the other hand, the seminary has sought to maintain a modern curriculum that is characterized by openness to different schools of thought so that students will be equipped to engage present-day society with all the best insights of contemporary scholarship. The seminary is proud of its hundreds of graduates who have served God in the church and in various fields in society. They have contributed to the ministries of education, preaching, evangelism, church planting, and development; and they have served not only in Egypt but also in countries around the world, including Sudan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Jordan, Kuwait, North Korea, Norway, the Philippines, Ghana, the United States and others. We know that this booklet cannot do justice to them all. Many are unknown soldiers to us, but of course they are known to God, having served faithfully and often inconspicuously over many years in various capacities. But whether mentioned in this booklet or not, they are all worthy of our gratitude and appreciation. Finally, we give thanks to God, for he has guided the seminary through a century and a half, preserving it and meeting its needs in season and out of season. It is with hope, then, that we look forward to the future, believing that God will continue to help us to preserve the integrity and purity of the message taught here as we seek to prepare leaders and ministers to carry the message of hope and love to all people. In all things, to God be the glory.

ETSC'S Mission Statement

The preparation, equipment and training of pastors, ministers and leaders of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and various churches in Egypt, the Arab world and the Arab communities abroad, to be qualified to serve the church and society.

Core Values Our Principles and Values

In achieving its mission, ETSC abides by following fundamental principles and values:

First: The ETSC community is to be Distinctively Christian:

1. It is to be governed by the Christian principles of love, faithfulness, self-control, and purity.

2. It accepts and respects the diversity of different cultures and races.

3. It applies equal treatment to men and women.

4. It welcomes the diversity of personal capabilities and skills.

5. It is a place where everyone – professors, students, administrators and workers alike – work together as one team.

Second: ETSC is to be Distinguished Academically

1. It fosters a spirit of understanding and appreciation for Christian heritage and Egyptian-Arab cultural.

2. It encourages academic research and critical and analytical thinking.

3. It promotes freedom of thought, research, creativity and expression.

4. It supports the mastery of various languages in addition to Arabic.

5. It accommodates modern sciences and studies and their relationship to life.

6. It develops the acquisition of ministry skills, such as preaching, communication, leadership and management, as well as proficiency with modern technology.

Third: ETSC is to Train Distinguished Graduates and Ministers

1. in the life of godliness and consecration.

2. in the life of care and ministry.

3. in the life of impartiality and integrity.

4. in leading with a servant-like spirit.

5. with a vision and passion to serve God and the community.

6. who is teachable and ambitious to learn and develop him/herself.

Faith Statement We believe In

* The sovereignty and grace of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, in creation, revelation, salvation, and final judgment.

* The divine inspiration of Scriptures, and therefore their trustworthiness and authority in everything concerning faith and works.

* Our worthiness as individuals and communities of God’s judgment because of our sins and our need of his salvation.

* The greatness of the value of every human being – despite their sin – on account of being created in the image of God and is the focus of his love and care.

* The life, resurrection, and death of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, as the only foundation of salvation from sin and its consequences.

* The justification of sinners by the grace of God, which is only achieved by faith in Jesus Christ and his vicarious work on the Cross.

* The ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in enlightenment, renewal, and sanctification of the people who respond to the grace of God and the work of his Spirit.

* The unity and priesthood of all believers who together constitute the one universal Church, the body whose head is Christ.

* God’s call to the Church to spend herself for God’s comprehensive mission, loving and serving all human beings, as well as witnessing to her Master’s words and deeds to all creation.

* The second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the consummation of His kingdom by his final and absolute triumph over evil and sin, the resurrection of the dead and life in the age to come.