_After a meeting held on March 11, 1968 in Cebu City, with thirty-one
persons representing schools and mission groups, the name Philippine
Association of Bible and Theological Schools (PABATS) was adopted along
with its Articles of Incorporation and Statement of Faith. The board of
trustees and officers were elected with W. Orman Knight as its first
president. Others played significant roles in the development of the
organization. In 1980, Dr. Rodrigo Tano became the next
president and except for six years he served several terms until Dr.
Metosalem Castillo was elected to this position from September 2007
until the present. Also, God prospered the organization under such
executive directors as Dr. Bob Ferris, Dr. David Lim (also president for
two years), Dr. Lee Wanak and Dr. Douglas Jue.
After being
dormant for some years and now revived, PABATS envisions to become a key
player in upgrading the quality of theological and ministry training in
the Philippines.
Though PABATS is not yet a member of the
Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP), the
umbrella organization in charge of mainly secular education in the
Philippines, it is affiliated with key regional and worldwide
organizations. It is affiliated with the Asia Theological Association
(ATA), the Asia-wide accrediting and service agency for theological
education. ATA is itself a member of the International Council for
Evangelical Theological Education (ICETE), a consortium of accrediting
bodies throughout the world. PABATS affiliation with ATA links it to
this worldwide agency and this affiliation allows PABATS to send
representatives to ATA and ICETE assemblies. It has also affiliate
membership with the International Association for the Promotion of
Christian Higher Education (IAPCHE), an organization that links arms
with several institutions interested in upgrading theological and
general education around the world. PABATS intends to seek membership
with FAAP.