The Malaysian Association of Theological Schools (MATS; 马来西亚神学院校协会) was formed in 1998 with a three-fold mission: 1. Promote co-operation among theological institutions in Malaysia; 2. Enhance the spiritual and academic standards of the institutions concerned; 3. Strengthen the bond of relationship within the theological fraternity for the benefit of the Christian movement in the country and beyond.
The 1st Biennial General Meeting (BGM) of MATS was held on April 12, 1999 in Penang’s Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary.
The 6th BGM was held recently on April 15 and 16, 2009, just after the Easter Celebrations, at Lot 3011 Taman South East in Seremban, hosted by the Seminari Theoloji Malaysia (STM), with 17 delegates present and 5 guests in attendance.
There are ten member schools with MATS, including seven full member schools, namely Alpha Omega International College (AOIC), Bible College of Malaysia (BCM), Malaysia Bible Seminary (MBS), Sabah Theological Seminary (STS), Seminari Theoloji Malaysia (STM), Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) and Methodist Theological School (MTS-Sibu), and three associate member schools, namely Maktab Teologi Sabah (MTS-Sabah), Malaysia Evangelical College (MEC-Miri), and Asia Graduate School of Theology – Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
The Exco elected for 2009-20011 are:
Chairman: Rev. Dr. Tie King Tai (MTS-Sibu)
Vice-Chairman: Dr. Ezra Kok (STM)
Hon. Secretary: Rev. Dr. Teresa Chai (AOIC)
Hon. Treasurer: Rev. Ng Kok Kee (BCM)
Members:
Rev. Dr. Tan Kim Sai (MBS)
Rev. Dr. John Ong (MBTS)
Rev. Dr. Thu En Yu (STS)
Pastor Bina Agong (MEC)
Dr. David Burfield (MTS-Sabah)
It was proposed and accepted that MBTS hosts the 7th MATS BGM. The date agreed upon for the next BGM is April 26-27, 2011 (Tuesday-Wednesday after Easter 20011). The Exco will meet the year before on April 6, 2010 in on MBTS Campus in Penang.
Seated from right: 2-honorary treasurer Rev Ng Kok Kee, 3-Vice-Chairman Dr Ezra Kok, 4-Chairman Dr Tie King Tai, 5-Honorary Secretary Dr Teresa Chai