Missio Seminary began in 1971 as Biblical School of Theology, founded through the shared vision of Dr. Allan A. MacRae and Dr. Jack W. Murray. “Biblical Seminary was founded in my dining room,” wrote Murray, pastor, radio evangelist, and founder of both Bible Evangelism, Inc. and Clearwater Christian College. When MacRae retired as president of Faith Theological Seminary, he contacted Murray to offer his assistance with the creation of Biblical Seminary. MacRae would become the school’s first president and later, honorary chancellor.

The two men approached seminary education from different directions: MacRae sought to form scholar-pastors able to exegete the Scriptures in the original languages and then apply them within a contemporary context. Murray’s dream, on the other hand, was for a permanent training program focused particularly on evangelism. In combining these ideas, the founders were able to form a partnership of faith that gave Biblical its special approach to seminary training.

The site for the new seminary was the former E.B. Laudenslager public school, which had stood vacant for several years and so required extensive renovations. To help defray costs, friends provided furnishings and materials at a discount, as well as outright donations of needed items. After much labor, the opening convocation was held September 28, 1971, and the following day classes began with 48 students, one of whom was to become Biblical’s fourth president. Biblical wanted to train more than just religious professionals, and in 1972, the Evening Bible Institute began to bring seminary training to lay people with a mix of Bible and theology studies.

Seven and a half years after opening, the seminary received the right to grant degrees from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and in order to more clearly identify itself as a graduate institution, changed its name from Biblical School of Theology to Biblical Theological Seminary.

After twelve years of faithful service, Dr. MacRae retired as president in September 1983 and was succeeded by Dr. G. Aiken Taylor. Sadly, Dr. Taylor died after only seven months in office. The Board of Trustees immediately appointed George S. Clark, who had served as vice-president from 1980, to fill the role of interim president until a successor to Dr. Taylor could be found. Dr. David G. Dunbar, one of Biblical’s inaugural graduates, was named as Taylor’s successor.

Dunbar’s leadership furthered the inter-denominational breadth of the seminary, first in adopting a “centrist evangelical” emphasis, and then the generously historically orthodox, missional approach that the school embraces today. With Dr. Dunbar as president, the seminary saw the rise of the next generation of faculty leadership, committed to the highest standards of scholarship and infused with the life and vitality of Biblical’s founders. Curriculum developed accordingly. The seminary began a counseling concentration within the MA program that was an immediate success and attracted a large number of students in its first year.

The legacy of such teaching continued to grow: according to the November 1990 president’s report, “A recent Alumni survey showed 178 graduates serving as pastors, 52 as missionaries, 55 as teachers, 7 military chaplains, and many working as counselors, Christian education directors, music directors and editors for Christian publishers. Biblical graduates can be found in 27 countries around the globe.”

Community outreach remained a priority. Continuing to seek new ways to reach out to those interested and engaged in ministry, the seminary developed a non-traditional Master of Divinity program which sought to address a number of weaknesses in theological education. The initial success of this program encouraged the seminary to expand its vision to prepare effective leaders for the church in the 21st century. This vision led Biblical to hold classes at its urban location in North Philadelphia, bringing the new program to the city’s current and future church and ministry leaders.

Dr. Dunbar explored what it means for the church—and by extension, the seminary—to embody Christ before a watching world. As he wrote, “The good news is not just a message to be delivered, but must be demonstrated by a faith active in love.” This topic continued to inspire and challenge him even into

his retirement in June 2013, following twenty-seven years of service as president.

Following where Dr. Dunbar had led, in 2013 the board of trustees of Biblical Theological Seminary endorsed a new statement of vision and mission, one of “Missional Engagement,” in conjunction with naming Dr. Frank A. James, III as Biblical’s fifth president. Under Dr. James, along with the full support of the board of trustees, the seminary changed its name to Missio Seminary and committed to moving the main campus to Philadelphia. The seminary continues to honor its heritage by training today’s students to engage the culture and follow Jesus into the world.

In 2023, the Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Clarence E. Wright as the next president of Missio Seminary. Dr. Clarence E. Wright has led Missio through a process of deeper collaboration by becoming a legacy partner. “I am in awe how God has brought Missio Seminary and Kairos University together. It is abundantly clear we are better together,” said Dr. Clarence Wright. Missio Seminary brings to the Kairos community a rich history of academic excellence, missional theology, spiritual formation, and community engagement as well as a shared passion for following Jesus into the world.