The First Chapel
1953-1964
Establishing UBS: The Vision of Frank J. Kline
Dr. Kline was a visionary. His vision was to promote the evangelical Calvo-Armenian theology, academic integrity, an inter denominational as well as an international atmosphere by setting up a bibliocentric curriculum. His missionary partners endorsed and supported this vision. He realized the vision by enthusiastically advocating it among the missionaries and encouraging their participation whenever he had opportunity to meet them either in conferences or even informally around dinner tables. As an embodiment of dedication and service, he merged his identity with the establishment and improvement of the seminary.
1964-1972
Consolidating the Emphases: The Hess and Bauman Years
After the initial phase of origin and growth, the Seminary needed sufficient time for consolidation, a period of assessment and evaluation, and of utilizing resources. Such a period occurred between 1964 and 1972 when Dr. W. Robert Hess and Rev. Kenneth Bauman served as Principals and when steps were taken to prepare for the great advances of the mid-1970s and 1980s under an Indian Principal
1972-1987
Expanding the Curriculum: The Athyal Dream
When Dr. Saphir Athyal became the Principal on June 1, 1972, the pace of theological education at UBS began to quicken. He initiated a possible place to relocate the Seminary to a cosmopolitan centre and projected post-graduate courses as well as affiliation with the Senate of Serampore College. At the heart of all the academic endeavours-faculty development, affiliation with Serampore, curriculum planning and revision, and library expansion the central aim of UBS remained constant: to train Christ's servant-leaders and to send them out with a clear vision and with a sense of urgency for Christ's mission in the world today
1983-1987
A New Beginning in Pune: Broadening the Ministry
In the annals of UBS history 1983 will be remembered as 'the year of the move.' After 30 years in a small town, Yeotmal, removed from the mainstream of life both in the church and society, UBS is entering a new and exciting phase of its history at its new location." These words of Dr. Athyal in his annual report in 1984 describes the realization of relocation in the urban area, Pune, that had been almost twelve years in the making.
1987-1994
Broadening the Ministry: The Wintle Era
When Dr. Brian Wintle became the fifth Principal of UBS in June 1987, the Seminary was in the process of revising the major academic programmes considerably. In his letters to prayer partners and friends of UBS he stated that vision would involve change, and therefore he requested for prayer "as we seek to fulfill that vision." At the same time, he concurred with the long-standing UBS objectives: "to provide ministerial training that is soundly biblical and emphasize holiness of life that is relevant to the contemporary Indian context".
March 8-9, 1993
The Celebration of the 40th Anniversary
The celebration of the 40th anniversary was a milestone in the history of UBS. Two full days (8-9 March, 1993) were set apart by the UBS Alumni Association (UBSAA) to recall and celebrate the goodness of the Lord in the existence of UBS, One hundred and twenty graduates, some with their families, came to UBS with a deep sense of gratitude for God's abiding faithfulness. These graduates represented different years, states, and degree programmes. They came to share the living stories of their ministry with members of their own family-the UBS family. The initiative, incentive, and leadership of the 40th anniversary came from the Alumni Association. The two-day programme was divided into three sections and was arranged around these three main foci: (i) Looking Back: Alumni Reflection, (ii) Looking into the Present: UBS Today, and (iii) Looking Forward: Issues before us.
Crowded but Comfortable: 1972
The Qumran Hostel Dormitory
Rev. Paul Waghata & The Touring Choir at Ahmedabad: 1973-74
The Touring Choir
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A Concrete step towards the Realization of Vision
Inauguration of CMS
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A Place of Research
Library in Yeotmal
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Watch the miraculous story about Gilbert Jackson and the Littlestar family below.
1999
Principal's Bunglow in Pune
A Symbol of Growth
1999
Chapel in Pune Campus
A Tower of Refuge and Strength
1999
Football in Pune Campus
Ministry includes Physical Fitness
1999
The Entrance of UBS, Pune
The gate way to witness a great vision
The Union Biblical Seminary Vision
The seminary implements, enriches, and supports the educational programmes. It also contributes to the social, intellectual, cultural and spiritual development of students and helps them to acquire the knowledge, attitude and skills essential for a mature and independent study.
UBS Campus Development
As the ministry expands, we need to build additional infrastructure. Improvement is needed in the quality of staff housing and there is a need for building more faculty homes. We are planning on a new big building to serve as a Centre for Missions, Christian Education, and Pastoral and Counselling Studies.
We have mentioned above about our outreach ministry in terms of service through the Community Development Project. We have trained many girls and women from the nearby slums, giving them skills in income-generating. We do not have a proper housing for this project. We now want to extend this project to meet the needs of young men also. Therefore a new building is being planned and we hope to build it soon. We thank God for World Hope for providing us with needed funds.
The ground breaking ceremony was held for starting a primary school for poor children. In today's world, theological education must go beyond training pastors and evangelists. We must prepare the whole church to participate in the whole of society in "word and deed". Therefore, the starting of this project is long overdue. We hope that in the first decade of the twenty first century this dream will come true.
Another way of reaching out the community around us is the relationship that we have forged with Tyrannus Hall International. This is the ministry which gives hostel facilities to students studying in colleges and universities while nurturing them in the love of Jesus Christ. It is a discipling ministry with a hope to equip them to become fruitful witnesses in their places of work in future.