History

The Caribbean Graduate School of Theology (CGST) was established in 1985 but launched in September 1986. The launching of the new institution was the actualization of an idea which was conceived in the early 1970s at the founding meeting of the Caribbean Evangelical Theological Association (CETA) when the need for a graduate level institution to serve the evangelical churches of the region was voiced. The participants in that foundational meeting held in Trinidad in 1973 made it clear, that a main objective of the new association, had to be that of “assisting in the development and promotion of standards of excellence among member institutions”. It was felt then that the establishment of a regional Graduate School of Theology would be essential to the fulfillment of that objective. The desire expressed in Trinidad in 1973 began to be realized in 1981 in Puerto Rico, with the appointment of a committee responsible for conducting a feasibility study to determine the extent of the need for a graduate level theological institution. The report of that committee, presented two years later at the 1983 association meeting, led to the decision of CETA to establish the Graduate School. Dr. Zenas Gerig, an official of CETA was appointed Coordinator of the Graduate School Project, and at the same meeting, an eight-member Board of Governors was appointed. The members of the founding board were chosen to reflect a broad regional, inter-denominational, and professional representation. In light of the fact that the proposed institution was a creation of CETA, it was deemed best to locate it on the campus of one of the Association’s member schools. Several institutions were considered as host of the new institution, but in the end, Jamaica Theological Seminary’s invitation to CETA to host the School on its campus was accepted. This joint partnership between JTS and CGST lasted for over two decades. During those years, CGST laid a solid foundation on which future developments could be firmly based. Credit is due to the visionary pioneers who created and built the institution during the first twenty (20) years, under the leadership and presidency of leaders such as: Dr. Zenas Gerig (1986 - 1991); Dr. Dieumeme Noelliste (1991-2007); Dr. Anthony Oliver, Acting President (2007-2008); and to those who have carried the baton in the ensuing seven (7) years up to the present time: Dr. Las Newman (2008- 2015), and Dr. John Keane, Acting President (2015-2017). The new President, Dr. David Corbin, has been appointed since April 2017, to carry the Institution forward with a new thrust into the future.