About Us

EQUIPPING AMBASSADORS
FOR CHRIST IN MARKETPLACES

CHRISTIAN IN MARKETPLACES

Christ not only creates and redeems us from our sins, but is also the Lord of every moment and aspect of our lives. For this reason, Christian salvation is never just personal, but cosmic – it is Christ calling us to paticipate in His transformation or re-creation of all humanity and the world.

This renewal of creation involves not just our worship and ministry in the church. It also reaches deep into the work we do, the cultures and technologies we create, the leisure we enjoy, and the things we love – whether books, sports, food, or the arts. It permeates the communities we engage with, whether religious, academic, social, or business.

In ancient times, the Romans have places for these diverse activities: marketplaces (or agoras in Greek). These public squares and bazaars are spaces where businesses trade, public policies are practised, religious activities are observed, and cultures are celebrated.

Today, these diverse marketplaces include offices, factories, studios, government, civil society, and churches. Here, Christians are called to be Ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20) displaying the fullness of His salvation: His wisdom, healing and restoration. We demonstrate how the Christian faith can be integrated with and transform our work, church, and society.

Becoming Ambassadors for christ

BGST aspires to equip Christians to become effective ambassadors for Christ in their marketplaces to integrate their faith with work,church, and society.

As such, we desire to train graduates who are AGAPE:

Assured in Christ’s love
Growing in Christ’s way
Anchored on Christ’s word
Participating in Christ’s work
Engaged in Christ’s world

Principal’s Welcome

Dr Lai Pak Wah

(Principal, BGST)

Welcome to BGST!

BGST was established in 1989 with the vision that all Christians may become effective ambassadors for Christ wherever God calls them. To do so, however, they must become ‘theologically mature as they are professionally competent’. To be able to work out how God’s Word may be applied in God’s World – at their workplaces, churches, and the communities they serve in.

Since then, we have become a postgraduate school dedicated to equipping marketplace Christians with flexible, relevant, and quality theological education. To date, we have trained more than 5,000 marketplace Christians from teachers, bankers and engineers to lawyers, civil servants, and pastors.

Our dreams for BGST students are these:

That they can exemplify Christ’s love to their colleagues and friends – wherever they are called. And in so doing, attract many to Christ.

That they have a deep conviction of God’s calling and purposes for their lives. Having integrated their faith with every aspect of their lives, they lead wisely and courageously in churches, marketplaces, and communities.

They can play an active role as thought-leaders, tackling the ‘wicked’ problems of our day –  from climate change, digital disruptions to aging societies, political conflicts and shifting cultural norms, so that our societies can flourish.

Going forward, we seek to partner closer with churches to equip marketplace Christians. We also seek to co-create with industry practitioners to develop new theological perspectives to the challenges of the marketplace and contemporary culture.

Whether you are a new student, a church, or an industry practitioner, we welcome you to the BGST community and a journey of equipping Christians to make a positive difference in their churches, workplaces, and communities.

Yours,
Dr Lai Pak Wah
Principal

Vision & Mission

Mission

BGST provides flexible, relevant and quality education that draws upon Scripture, Christian Tradition, and Integrative Studies

Vision

That all Christians grow in Christ-likeness and live out their calling to fulfill God’s creative and redemptive purposes in the Church and the marketplace.

Theological Position

The sole authority of the doctrines of Biblical Graduate School of Theology (BGST) is the revelation of God given in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.

BGST also acknowledges the significance of the theological heritage handed down to the Christian church through the historic creeds, confessions and catechisms, in particular, the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed, in informing BGST’s formation of its chief tenets of doctrine, of which the abbreviated form is as follows.

  • We believe in the divine, verbal and plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures in the original languages, their consequent inerrancy and infallibility and, as the Word of God, their supreme and final authority in faith and life.
  • We believe that the whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life is either expressly set down in Scripture or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: to this nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelation of the Spirit or by tradition of men.
  • We believe in one God existing in three co-eternal Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
  • We believe that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of Mary when she was a virgin and is true God and true man.
  • We believe that man was created in the image of God, but sinned through the fall of Adam, thereby incurring not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature and become sinners in thought, word and deed.
  • We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died a propitiatory and expiatory death as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice and that all who repent of their sins and believe in Him are justified before God on the grounds of His death and resurrection.
  • We believe in the bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His ascension into Heaven and in His exaltation at the right hand of God, where He intercedes for us as our High Priest and Advocate.
  • We believe in the personal, visible and imminent return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
  • We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and to convict and regenerate the sinner, indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service.
  • We believe that Christ instituted the Sacrament of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which shall be observed by His Church till He returns.
  • We believe in the eternal security, bodily resurrection and eternal blessedness of the saved, and in the bodily resurrection and eternal punishment of the lost.
  • We believe that the universal church possesses a spiritual unity and purity realised in the Headship of Christ over His Church, and in the church being the Body of Christ.

1988

Vision for BGST as a marketplace institute to equip the laity.

1989

BGST founded by Dr Quek Swee Hwa (Dean) and Rev David Wong (Deputy Dean).

1994

First convocation, four students graduated.

1997

TENT course launched in collaboration with Discipleship Training Centre.

2004

BGST’s first property at Tanjong Pagar Road.

2009

BGST celebrates its 20th anniversary. We have equipped over 2000 students.

2011

Dr Philip Satterthwaite takes over from Dr Quek Swee Hwa as BGST’s second principal.

2012

BGST moves to its current premises at 50 Kallang Pudding Road.

2014

Launch of Graduate Certificate programs, and formation of the Alumni Resource Team (now the BGST Collective).

2017

Launch of a joint Diploma in Theological Studies program with Trinity Theological College.

2018

BGST unveils a new logo for a new season.

2019

Dr Lai Pak-Wah takes over from Dr Philip Satterthwaite as BGST’s third (and current) principal.

Accreditation

Accreditation

The BGST programmes listed here are accredited by the Asia Theological Association:  

GDCS – Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies)

MATIS – Master of Arts in Theology and Integrative Studies*

MDiv – Master of Divinity

* Note: From AY2023, MATIS will be renamed from Master of Arts in Theology and Inter-disciplinary Studies to Master of Arts in Theology and Integrative Studies.

Recognition

BGST is recognised by the Ministry of Education as a private school offering religious education. We can accept foreign students for full-time study. While keeping our autonomous status, we are open to a fraternal relationship with other theological schools which share our mission and goals and our theological position. Our Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies, Master of Arts in Theology and Interdisciplinary Studies, and Master of Divinity are recognised by Regent College (Vancouver) and other reputable theological schools. BGST and Regent College have an established agreement on the transfer of BGST credits to Regent. Please contact the admin office for more details.

  1. Annual Report AY2022/23
  2. Audited Financial Statements 2023
  3. BGST Constitution
  4. Terms of Reference for Functional Committee: 
  5. Charity Information

BGST PRIVACY POLICY

Last Updated: 10th May 2024

PLEASE READ THIS PRIVACY POLICY CAREFULLY.

 

Your personal data (such as information that identifies you or can be used to identify you, for example, your name, date of birth and contact details) is protected by the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 of Singapore (the “PDPA”).

BGST is a theological school that has been faithfully training Christians for ministry in the Church and marketplace. BGST offers courses at different levels – Graduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Masters, which may be taken in person, online, or via self-paced learning (SPL), which offers flexibility for students to study amidst the environments and circumstances in which they have been placed

This Privacy Policy explains how BGST may collect, use and disclose your personal data (as defined in the PDPA). This Privacy Policy is to be read in conjunction with any other policies, contractual clauses and consent clauses that apply in relation to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal data by BGST.

This Privacy Policy may be changed by BGST from time to time without any prior notice. You may determine if any such changes have taken place by referring to the “Last Updated” date on which this Privacy Policy was last updated. You are encouraged to check for any updates to this Privacy Policy prior to your participation in any Events and Activities. Your participation in any Events and Activities constitutes your acknowledgement and acceptance of this Privacy Policy as changed from time to time.

1.                      DEFINITIONS

In this Privacy Policy, unless the context otherwise requires, the following general definitions apply:

 

“Events and Activities”

means events and activities organised, co-organised, or approved by the Board of Advisors, Council Members, Faculty and/or Staff of BGST, including programmes, courses, workshops, conferences and social events, whether such events and activities are conducted virtually or in-person, and including such student/alumni-initiated events and activities as BGST may approve.

 

 

“Data Protection Laws”

means applicable laws and regulations relating to the use and/or processing of personally identifiable information and data and privacy, including the PDPA.

“Participation”

means participation in any Events and Activities.

“Personal Data”

means:

 

  1. data, whether true or not, about an individual who can be identified:

 

  1. from that data; or

 

  1. from that data and other information to which BGST has or is likely to have access; and

 

  1. any data that is analogous to the foregoing, as defined in Data Protection Laws.

 

“Purposes”

means the purposes of BGST which are set out in this Privacy Policy, including but not limited to the following purposes:

  1.       To administer your enrolment as a student, including all academic, financial and any student-related matters relating to your study at BGST. 
  2.      To administer your employment as a BGST staff, faculty, or part/full-time vendor, including but not limited to remuneration, benefits, services, and legal employment requirements. 
  3.    To administer your engagement as an associate faculty member, visiting course instructor or teaching partner, or services rendered by you in any form relating to the production and conduct of BGST courses, events and initiatives. 
  4.    To administer your engagement as an unpaid volunteer, or participation in BGST and/or BGST alumni activities. 
  5.     To administer your participation in any BGST courses, events or initiatives, which may also include collaboration and information sharing with other third party coordinators and partners appointed by BGST. 
  6.    To process your donation instructions and/or services-in-kind rendered to BGST. 
  7.  To update you on key BGST events, initiatives and highlights that may be of interest to you, including but not limited to principal’s addresses and annual reports. 
  8. To respond to any queries or requests you may have regarding any of BGST’s offerings. 
  9.    All other purposes which are reasonably related to the above, including applications, requests and/or enquiries relating to the above

2.                  HOW PERSONAL DATA IS COLLECTED

2.1              BGST receives your Personal Data when you provide your Personal Data (by consent) including when you sign up to participate in any Events and Activities or when you join any of BGST’s mailing lists.

2.2              In connection with your Participation, and to the extent permitted by applicable laws (including Data Protection Laws), BGST may also collect your Personal Data from sources other than yourself, for one or more of the Purposes, and thereafter using, disclosing and/or processing such Personal Data for one or more of the Purposes. BGST may combine information received from other sources with information you give to BGST. BGST may use this information and the combined information for the Purposes (depending on the types of information received). If you suspect that any of your Personal Data has not been lawfully disclosed to BGST, please contact BGST (details are set out at the end of this Privacy Policy).

2.3              Unless otherwise stated, this Privacy Policy does not cover any collection, use or disclosure by third parties, including through any applications, websites, products or services that BGST does not control or own.

3.                  WHAT PERSONAL DATA IS COLLECTED

3.1              In connection with your Participation, BGST may collect the following Personal Data from you:

3.1.1         identification data, such as your full name, nationality, age, race, religion, gender, marital status, nationality, photograph, video footage, disabilities (if any) and signature;

3.1.2         contact data, such as your residential address, email address, and phone number(s);

3.1.3         employment data, such as your organisation’s name, organisation address, and designation;

3.1.4         data relating to your dietary needs and/or requirements for the purposes of catering suitable food and/or beverages at Events and Activities; and

3.1.5         other Personal Data which you voluntarily provide to BGST for the purpose of your Participation.

3.2               While BGST is committed to making a reasonable effort to ensure the accuracy of the Personal Data it collects and keeps, BGST will generally rely on the information provided by you to ensure the currency, completeness and accuracy of your Personal Data and it is therefore incumbent on you to ensure that your personal information is updated and correct.

3.3              You have the right to access, update and/or correct any Personal Data that BGST holds about you, subject to exceptions under the law. This right can be exercised at any time by contacting BGST through the contact details listed at the end of this Privacy Policy. 

3.4              Please note that a reasonable fee may be charged for an access request. If so, BGST will inform you of the fee before processing your request. BGST will respond to your request as soon as reasonably possible. In general, BGST’s response will be within thirty (30) calendar days, and if not BGST shall inform you in writing within thirty (30) calendar days of your request. If BGST is unable to provide you with any Personal Data or to make a correction requested by you, BGST shall generally inform you of the reasons why it is unable to do so (except where BGST is not required to do so under the Data Protection Laws).

4.                  HOW YOUR PERSONAL DATA MAY BE USED

4.1              BGST may use your Personal Data for the following purposes:

4.1.1         to facilitate and administer your Participation;

4.1.2         to inform you of or to follow up on Events and Activities;

4.1.3         to respond to your direct queries when you express an interest in any Events and Activities;

4.1.4         to respond to your queries when you directly interact with BGST through its website, email or otherwise, including for the purposes of exercising your rights under the Data Protection Laws or to file any complaints; and

4.1.5         to improve on the Events and Activities.

4.2              BGST may also use your Personal Data to work with third-party service providers to facilitate your Participation in accordance with its disclosure obligations stated in Clause 5 below.

4.3              BGST may use your Personal Data, without consent, for the following purposes:

4.3.1         improving, enhancing or developing new programs or services;

4.3.2         improving, enhancing or developing new methods or processes for operations;

4.3.3         learning or understanding the behaviour and needs of individuals in relation to providing care and services; and/or

4.3.4         research purposes, including historical or statistical research.

4.4              If it is necessary for BGST to collect, use, disclose or process your Personal Data for other purposes that do not appear in this Privacy Policy, BGST will notify you of such other purposes at or before the time of obtaining your consent, unless processing of your Personal Data without your consent is permitted by Data Protection Laws.

5.                  HOW YOUR PERSONAL DATA MAY BE DISCLOSED

5.1              BGST may need to disclose your Personal Data to third parties, whether located within or outside Singapore, should such third parties have the need to process your Personal Data for one or more of the above Purposes or for such other purposes stated in the PDPA. In this regard, you hereby acknowledge, agree and consent that BGST is permitted to disclose your Personal Data to such third parties for such Purposes. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such third parties may include contractors or third-party service providers which provide administrative, technological or other services to BGST, and/or other organisations which collaborate with BGST in organising and conducting its Events and Activities.

5.2              Where it is necessary for BGST to disclose your Personal Data, BGST shall only do so in accordance with Data Protection Laws. This includes taking steps to ensure the security and privacy of your Personal Data, and where required, it will be subject to contractual terms ensuring the security and protection of any Personal Data under any sub-processor or data intermediary, whether within or outside of Singapore.

6.                  HOW YOUR PERSONAL DATA IS MAINTAINED

6.1              Security of your Personal Data is important to BGST. BGST has in place reasonable security arrangements to ensure that your Personal Data is adequately protected and secured. Appropriate security arrangements will be taken to prevent any unauthorised access, collection, use, disclosure, copying, modification, leakage, loss, damage and/or alteration of your Personal Data. However, BGST does not assume responsibility for any unauthorised use of your Personal Data by third parties which are wholly attributable to factors beyond BGST’s control.

6.2              BGST has in place measures such that your Personal Data in its possession or under its control is destroyed and/or anonymised as soon as it is reasonable to assume that (i) the purpose for which your Personal Data was collected is no longer being served by the retention of such Personal Data, and (ii) retention is no longer necessary for any other legal or business purposes.

7.                  WHERE YOU PROVIDE BGST WITH THIRD-PARTY PERSONAL DATA

7.1              You should only provide BGST with the Personal Data of third parties where expressly permitted by BGST.

7.2              Should you provide BGST with the Personal Data of any individual other than yourself, you represent, undertake and warrant to BGST that:

7.2.1         for any Personal Data of individuals that you disclose to BGST, you would have prior to disclosing such Personal Data obtained consent from the individuals whose Personal Data are being disclosed, to:

(a)                permit you to disclose the individuals’ Personal Data to BGST for the Purposes; and

(b)                permit BGST to collect, use, disclose and/or process the individuals’ Personal Data for the Purposes; and

7.2.2         any Personal Data of individuals that you disclose to BGST are accurate.

7.3              Should you provide BGST with the Personal Data of your child/children, you confirm, declare and agree that you are the parent or legal guardian of such child/children, and that BGST may collect, use and/or disclose your child’s or children’s Personal Data for the Purposes and in the manner as set out in this Privacy Policy.

8.                  YOUR RIGHTS IN RESPECT OF YOUR PERSONAL DAT

8.1              If you have any questions about the processing of your Personal Data or about this Privacy Policy, or if you do not accept an amended Privacy Policy or if you wish to update or have access to your Personal Data, please contact BGST through the contact details listed at the end of this Privacy Policy.

8.2              The consent that you provide for the collection, use and disclosure of your Personal Data will remain valid until such time it is withdrawn by you in writing. You may withdraw consent and request BGST to stop collecting, using and/or disclosing your Personal Data for any or all of the Purposes listed above by submitting your request in writing at the contact details provided below.

8.3              Upon receipt of your written request to withdraw your consent, BGST may require reasonable time (depending on the complexity of the request and its impact on BGST’s relationship with you) for your request to be processed and for BGST to notify you of the consequences of BGST acceding to the same, including any legal consequences which may affect your rights and liabilities. In general, BGST shall seek to process your request within thirty (30) calendar days of receiving it.

8.4              In many circumstances, BGST needs to use your Personal Data in order to enable your Participation. If you do not provide BGST with the required Personal Data, or if you do not accept an amended Privacy Policy or withdraw your consent to BGST’s use and/or disclosure of your Personal Data for the Purposes, it may not be possible for BGST to continue to enable your Participation.

8.5              Withdrawing consent does not affect BGST’s right to continue to collect, use and disclose your Personal Data where such collection, use and disclosure without consent is permitted or required under applicable laws.

8.6              BGST is fully committed to protecting your Personal Data and your rights under Data Protection Laws. Nothing in this Privacy Policy should be construed as limiting any of your rights prescribed for under Data Protection Laws.

9.                  CONTACT BGST

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, or if you wish to access, update or correct your Personal Data or withdraw your consent to the use, collection and disclosure of your Personal Data in accordance with this Privacy Policy, you may contact BGST’s Data Protection Officer (“DPO”). Please provide the following details:

Your full name:

Your contact details:

Details of request/complaint (including any applicable timeframes):

Supporting documents/evidence:

(to be addressed to)

Data Protection Officer

50 Kallang Pudding Road #07-01,

AMA Building

Singapore 349326

Email: dpo@bgst.edu.sg

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