The history of Kachin Theological College & Seminary (KTCS) can be traced back to 1901. Rev. Dr. Ola Hason, a missionary, who translated the Bible into Kachin language, introduced Bible classes for Kachin and Karen evangelists somewhere in Myitkyina, Bhamo and Nam Hkam in 1901. Rev. Sword, another American missionary, also established a small Bible School in Nam Hkam. These Bible classes could be considered as the forerunners of KTCS.
However, the actual formation of Kachin Bible School took place not until 1932. In 1930, three of the Kachin leaders: Maran Robin (Myitkyina), Lahpai Zau Tu (Bhamo), and Labya De (Shan State) requested at the Convention meeting of the Board of American Baptist Mission Head quarters in Yangon to grant a separate Bible school for the Kachin church. Consequently, the request was accepted and finally led to the initial plan for the formation of the Kachin Bible School. While this formation was in the process, Rev. George J. Gies and Mrs. Gies, a former retired missionary couple, were requested to return to Kachin State and to resume their ministry as the principal of the Bible School. Arriving back in Bhamo in 1931, the Kachin Bible School was established in the mission compound of Bhamo on June 1, 1932. The Bible School was started with 9 students in the first year.
On April 15, 1935, the Bible School was moved to Kutkai in the northern Shan State. This time, the school was able to offer a two-year course. The main aim and purpose was to help the students improve in their preaching and witnessing the gospel. The school prepared its curriculum to meet the immediate needs of the new Kachin faith community who had recently converted from an animistic background. The classes were interrupted by the political situation in the country between 1942 and 1945. The school was able to resume its teaching work in April 1946. From 1950, the Bible School accepted the students who passed the 7th standard. While this academic transition was in the process, the Bible School was again moved far up to Nawng Nang, Myitkyina, Kachin State, the northern part of Myanmar, in 1966.
In 1974, the school was upgraded to offer a four-year diploma course. Again, the Layman Course was integrated in 1976, which was later replaced by the L.Th course in 1985. In September, 1982, Kachin Theological School became a member of ATESEA. Although it had yet to be approved by the ATESEA, B.Th program was started in 1990. In 1990, Rev.Dr. Saga Hkyen Naw, who returned from the USA with a D.Miss degree, was appointed as Acting Principal. From 1993 Rev. Dr. Saga Hkyen Naw became the principal and under his leadership the college received its accreditation for the L.Th and the B.Th programs from ATESEA.
As the college has been encouraged by the ATESEA, M.Div program was started in 1996-1997 academic year, which was accredited in 2000. In 1998, the Bible School of Kutkai which existed independently since 1966 became affiliated School of Kachin Theological College. (This KTCS – branch school in Kutkai continues its Layman Course, Diploma, and L.Th in Kachin vernacular. The college also started its B.Th program in 2006).
As KTCS moves toward the 21st century, the college remembers the Diploma and the L.Th graduates who are serving in the respective local church ministry. Thus, in the beginning of 2003-2004 academic year, the college started to offer the Bachelor of Ministry (B.Min) program. The aim and purpose of the B.Min course is to update and upgrade the theological education of the experienced ministers and to encourage the community based church ministry. With the same aim and purpose KTCS launches a new academic program, the Master of Ministry (M.Min) in 2011. In the same academic year KTCS also launches a long awaited program, Master of Arts in Christian Studies (M.A.C.S) with the purpose of promoting lay theological education. The school started liberal arts program called Bachelor of Arts in Theological Studies (BATS) which later renamed College of Liberal Arts Program (CLAP) in 2013. As the school has encouraged by the ATESEA, M.Th Program was started in 2018-2019 Academic Year, and D,Min program and M.Min (Kachin) program were started in 2022-2023 academic year for higher theological education.
KTCS made a significant milestone in 2008 as she celebrated 75th anniversary Diamond Jubilee. In order to establish a monument for the anniversary, the working committee of the Diamond Jubilee constructed the three storey Diamond Jubilee Building which is able to accommodate over a hundred of students. After the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee, KTCS makes another great effort to build a Main Building, which provides class rooms, meeting rooms, faculty offices, student recreation centre and other multi-function rooms. The construction of Main Building has completely finished in March, 2015. In 2012, KTCS has launched liberal arts program which is much needed for the Kachin community.
KTCS had admirable principals in her long history: Rev. Lahpai Zau Yaw (1946-1965);Rev.Dr. Lahtaw Gum Se (1966-1993); Rev. Dr. Saga Hkyen Naw (1993-2010); and Rev. Dr. Nalaw Dai Hkawng (2010-2018). In 2018-2019 academic year, KTCS has seen a new president Rev. Dr. Zinghang Lat Nawng, formerly a vice- president of KTCS, who was elected as a new president of KTCS in 38h Quadrennial General Mass Meeting of Kachin Baptist Convention which was celebrated in Waimaw. Under the new president’s leadership the college is pressing toward the holistic development and theological education that is sound and relevant to the churches and society as a whole.