Asbury Seminary signed an exciting new dimension to our existing partnership with the South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies (SAIACS), a premier institution for postgraduate theological studies and research, located in Bangalore, India, on February 20, 2022. The partnership fosters a cooperative relationship to provide educational opportunities for SAIACS’ constituents seeking a Doctor of Ministry degree in leadership and ministry beginning in Fall 2022.

“We are grateful for this new chapter in our partnership with SAIACS that will allow students in India to receive an Asbury degree in Bangalore,” Dr. Timothy C. Tennent, President of Asbury Seminary, said. “This partnership continues our mission to spread scriptural holiness throughout the world. As part of our 2023 strategic plan, we are committed to developing new constituencies and serving the global church. We pray that God would bless this partnership and use the future Doctor of Ministry Students to change the world for Christ.”

With this partnership, Asbury Seminary will offer the Doctor of Ministry degree, focusing on leadership in ministry, to a SAIACS cohort of 15-20 students beginning in September 2022.  The degree will be a hybrid degree, divided between online courses and residency requirements at SAIACS.  During the fall of 2023, students will be hosted on Asbury Seminary’s campus for instruction, dissertation training, spiritual formation events, and face-to-face meeting with their faculty mentors.

“This is a unique opportunity for our students, as they now have access to learn from Asbury Seminary faculty and earn an Asbury Seminary degree,” Dr. Prabhu Singh, Principal of SAIACS and Professor of Cultural Anthropology, said. “We appreciate the generous scholarship granted that makes this program affordable. This partnership will definitely lead to the flourishing of the D.Min. candidates and through them, the church of our Lord Jesus Christ, in this part of the world.”

This partnership is the next step in Asbury Seminary’s commitment to serve the global church. Asbury Seminary enjoys a long-standing relationship with SAIACS. This new venture will deepen that relationship for many years to come.