About Us
OUR HISTORY
Grace School of Theology is, therefore, founded upon the belief that eternal salvation is received solely as a free gift from God by believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior for mankind. Grace is committed to Christian scholarly endeavors in the free grace tradition.
Grace School of Theology is a private, non-denominational, institution of higher learning governed by a dedicated Board of Trustees. The institution had its beginnings in early 2002 when a pastor and laypersons in the Houston area committed themselves to realize their vision of a local evangelical Christian institution emphasizing free grace. At the encouragement and advice of Dr. Charles Ryrie, Grace School of Theology began as Houston Theological Seminary as the result of the planning and visionary work of seven men who constituted the initial Board of Trustees:
Dr. Dave Anderson, Dr. Glenn Darby, Mr. Larry Allbritton, Mr. Mark Rae, Mr. Jeffe Ready, Mr. Bill Diamond, and Mr. Bob Winslow. Of the original seven Trustees, Dr. Dave Anderson now serves as the President of Grace and a member of the Board.
Grace School of Theology is a work of God’s grace. God placed the burden for this educational ministry upon the heart of Dr. Dave Anderson who, for twelve (12) years planted churches in southern Texas and then, for eighteen (18) years, served as Senior Pastor of Faith Bible Church of The Woodlands, Texas. The discussions between Drs. Anderson and Darby with the full Board of Trustees led to the beginning of Houston Theological Seminary. The first seminary classes were held in Faith Bible Church of The Woodlands, Texas, and Cypress Bible Church of Cypress, Texas.
Houston Theological Seminary received its certificate of incorporation from the State of Texas effective May 29, 2001. The first students began classes in the fall of 2002. After Texas enacted a state law prohibiting the use of the term “seminary” in an institution’s title without state approval, the name Houston Theological Seminary was changed to Grace School of Theology in a Certificate of Amend-ment issued by the State of Texas in March 2003. The Texas Supreme Court overruled this unconstitutional law in the fall of 2007, but the seminary elected to retain its current name.
Grace is strategically located in the Houston, Texas, metropolitan area. The main administrative offices are located in The Woodlands, Texas, and include classrooms, faculty offices, and the main Library.
As Grace has begun to significantly grow, teaching sites have been developed in areas near Houston (Beaumont) and as far away as Midland and San Antonio where much support and encouragement from Christian leaders has developed. International initiatives have become priority directives by the institution’s Board of Trustees. Many world-region opportunities have emerged, which are each evaluated by administrators and faculty. Current international teaching sites include Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and the Philippines.
Our Milestones
Over the Years
2001
Received certificate of incorporation from the state of Texas under the name Houston Theological Seminary.
2002
Began offering classes at churches in the Greater Houston area.
2003
Name changed to Grace School of Theology.
2008
- Began offering classes at Faith Bible Church in The woodlands, TX.
- Began online classes
2009
- Launched extension site in Midland.
- Launched extension site in Beaumont.
2010
- Awarded first graduate degrees.
- Implemented face-to-face video technology software.
2011
- Enrolled first international student.
- Hosted first graduation ceremony.
- Launched extension site in San Antonio.
- Awarded candidate status from TRACS Accreditation Agency.
2012
- Opened current World Headquarters in The Woodlands, TX.
- Received Graduate Program Accreditation from TRACS.
2013
- Launched Russian Language Academic Programs.
- Received Undergraduate Program Accreditation.
- Received Title IV Approval.
2014
- Launched Spanish Language Academic Programs.
- Launched extension site in Puerto Rico.
2015
- Opened international office in Manila, Philippines.
- Launched DMin Program.
- Launched extension sites in San Diego, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Spain, and The Philippines.
2016
- Launched extension sites in Cuba and Nepal.
- Launched Administrative Office and Extension site in Trussville, Alabama.
2017
- Received 10-year Reaffirmation I from TRACS.
- Received ATS Accreditation.
2018
- Launched degree and non-degree Chaplaincy programs.
- Established Grace Center for Spiritual Development to provide “learning beyond the classroom”.
2021
Launched Grace On Demand learning platform for non-credit offerings