Varughese John

South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies

The South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies is an institute for postgraduate theological studies and research in Bangalore, India. SAIACS strives for biblical and contextually relevant theological studies so that students can make a meaningful and significant impact in their diverse ministries—including churches, mission fields, NGOs, Christian organisations, Bible colleges, and seminaries—for the glory of God. Our History SAIACS began with the conviction that churches in India needed something more than just another Bible college or seminary. India needed a reputable evangelical mission-focused centre that held on to the centrality of the Christian gospel, as well as pursued reputable higher theological learning to equip people to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. In the summer of 1981 in Kodaikanal, Dr Bruce Nicholls and Dr Graham Houghton shared their dreams. Like-minded people in Madras agreed on the need for an MTh in missiology. As there was no real infrastructure within which to do this, it was suggested that the degree be offered by the newly formed Association of Evangelical Theological Education in India (AETEI). Dr Houghton, then the dean, set up a two-year course, and classes began in June 1982 amid enthusiastic support from church leaders and prospective students. As applications continued to come in, it was decided to repeat the course of studies and that the program would be moved from Madras to Bangalore. In 1984, the programme disengaged from the AETEI, and in 1985 SAIACS was registered separately as an Educational Trust in Bangalore with Dr Houghton as the principal. SAIACS now spreads over 11.5 acres of beautifully landscaped campus. Its architecture won acclaim in the Architecture and Design journal (September/October 1996).