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Through the efforts of Walter B. Hinson, the Portland
Baptist Bible Institute was organized in the winter
of 1925. In 1926, efforts began to replace the Bible
Institute with a graduate-level seminary to provide
more adequate theological education in the Northwest.
As a result, Western Baptist Theological Seminary
was officially dedicated on October 4, 1927.
The purpose of the infant institution was reported
by the Board of Trustees: “Looking across the
years... we saw coming out of Western Baptist Theological
Seminary, men and women schooled to preach and teach
the eternal truths of God’s Word and the redemptive
love and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw pupils
of sound teachers occupying pulpits and mission fields
around the world.”
In 1944 the Board of Trustees acquired the present
five-acre campus in Portland. Classes at the new site
convened in the fall of that year.
Western’s presidents have often been noteworthy
and innovative leaders in theological education, including
Dr. Earl D. Radmacher (president from 1965-1989) and
Dr. Bert Downs (president from 1998-2008). Our new
president, Dr. Randal Roberts, is a Western alumnus
who has served the seminary in both faculty and administrative
roles since 1987. He is committed to continuing the
legacy of doctrinal fidelity and educational innovation
that has been entrusted to him.
Western Seminary has established a number of highly
visible and forward-looking programs. It was one of
the first schools to offer the Doctor of Ministry
degree. In 1981, Western launched an innovative video
instruction program which quickly expanded to serve
hundreds of students per year in study centers across
America and overseas. More recent innovations include
a dual-track approach to learning the biblical languages,
cross-registration options for students in the D.Min.
and D.Miss. programs, an enhanced mentored field ministry
program with unique outcome certification options,
and increased scheduling and delivery system flexibility
to make quality theological education more accessible
to students whose circumstances require creative accommodation.
To make residential seminary education accessible
to key cities on the West Coast, Western has also
established two campuses in Northern California
(San Jose and Sacramento).
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