The Lutheran Theological Seminary (LTS) was jointly founded on July 1, 1977 by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong (ELCHK), the Chinese Rhenish Church Hong Kong Synod (CRCHKS), the Tsung Tsin Mission of Hong Kong (TTMHK), and the Taiwan Lutheran Church (TLC). On September 3 of that year, the seminary held its opening service.

LTS is, however, no ordinary newly established institution; it is a new school with a long history and a rich background. Its immediate predecessor was the widely-known Lutheran Theological Seminary which was established at Shekow, Hubei, China, in 1913 and for 35 years served the Lutheran Church in China. At the end of 1948, because of the civil war in China, the seminary was moved to Hong Kong and became the theological education agency of the ELCHK.

During its 64-year history it trained several hundred professional workers, as well as thousands of lay leaders for the Chinese churches. In the provision of personnel, in the preservation of the faith, in the development of indigenous theology, as well as in the promotion of church cooperation, the predecessor school made an indelible contribution. Since 1972 the board of the former seminary, realizing the importance of cooperation in theological education, decided that cooperation should be sought among related churches, regardless of the cost. On May 8, 1976, representatives of the ELCHK, CRCHKS, and TTMHK, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, solemnly signed an agreement to create a new, united Lutheran theological school. The first five years were considered as a trial period. One year later, the TLC decided to take part in this cooperative venture. In order to facilitate the birth of this new seminary, the ELCHK voluntarily terminated its former theological school, the first LTS, at the end of June, 1977. In 1982, the four cooperating churches agreed to continue the cooperation of this united theological education work further into the future.

This seminary has not only inherited the rich resources in personnel, facilities, and experiences of the former ELCHK School, but it has also received a valuable legacy in theological education from other supporting churches. For instance, the CRCHKS had many years of experience in operating both a Bible training institute and a theological school in China. The TLC, for several years during the 50’s and 60’s, carried on a sizable Bible school and theological seminary in Taiwan. The TTMHK founded the Tsung Tsin College, the predecessor of the Lok Yuk Seminary, in 1864, which has been recognized by historians as being the earliest seminary in China.

In late 1992, LTS moved into its new campus on the top of To Fung Shan. The construction of this campus was the result of a “Pilgrimage of Faith” which had begun in 1985, and which was realized with the financial and prayer support of Christians in Hong Kong and around the world. This campus, which is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful in the Third World, is built in the traditional Chinese style and is decorated with original artwork. It is truly a place of beauty and provides an ideal setting for prayer, worship, and study. The relocation project verifies once again the significance of local and international cooperation. Therefore, since the relocation, we have increased and intensified our efforts to seek collaboration among Lutheran churches, other denominations, and various church organizations.

Locally, we sought support for our vision from other churches and encouraged them to join with LTS as member churches. In 1993, the Hong Kong & Macau Lutheran Church (HKMLC) became a member church along with the Methodist United Church, who joined the seminary as an associate member. In 1996, the Lutheran Church Hong Kong Synod (LCHKS) not only joined us as an associate member but also cooperated with us in training seminarians by sending faculty to teach and sending students to learn at LTS. In the same year the HKMLC because of the significance of lay leadership for the church and for society generously allowed us to use one floor of their premises in the Zion Building in Kowloon as our Theological Education by Extension Center. Because of their generosity, our evening training program is blooming. In 1997, the Lutheran Philip House Church (LPHC) also joined us as a member church. These churches bring with them their experience and resources, all of which work to the fulfillment of the mission of LTS and fortify its foundation for further enhancement.

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