The Cameroon Baptist Theological Seminary History

CBTS, as it is commonly called today, started in 1947 at Belo, It was established by the North American Baptist Missionaries who recognized the need for training pastors to serve in the churches they had organized,

          The first student body was comprised of fourteen part-time students, Rev, Don S. Ganstrom was appointed as the first principal-teacher assisted by Rev.  Stephen N. Nteff.  Clearly from the beginning, the hand of the Lord was upon this educational enterprise.  The student body continued to grow steadily.

          After three years of existence, in 1950, CBTS was moved to Mbem.  The Rev.  Earl H. Ahrens was appointed principal-teacher assisted by Rev. Stephen N. Nteff and Mrs. Lois Ahrens.  The student body continued to grow.  The growth of the school also made imperative the appointment of part-time teachers.  Missionaries took their turns to go to Mbem and teach for a month or more.  In 1954, after considering many things including future expansion, the school was moved to Ndu.  As the school expanded its programs, dormitories and staff quarters were constructed by Mr. Hildebrand.  During the period of time between 1954-1959, classes were held in temporary buildings.

          In 1954, when the school was moved from Mbem to Ndu, the name was changed from Cameroon Baptist Mission Bible School to Baptist Bible Training Center, Ndu.  In 1973, the name was changed to Baptist Bible Training College, but the former initials were retained.  Again in 1977, the name was changed, this time to Cameroon Baptist Theological College to indicate its secondary level status. Finally, in 1983, the name was changed to its present name Cameroon Baptist Theological Seminary, to show its status as a degree offering institution.

Between 1960 and 1972, under the leadership of Rev.  Elmer C. Strauss, plans were made for the construction of new classrooms, a library/office building, and a chapel.  These buildings were financed by giving by North American Baptist Christians.  Later in 1981, an extension was added to the library turning the old library into a reading room and making a new book stacks area and offices for the library.  This was followed by some renovation of the main single students dormitory into several smaller room units and the building of three more adequate staff houses-

Buildings

Between 1960 and 1972 under the leadership of Rev. Elmer C. Strauss, plans were made for the construction of new classrooms, a library/office building, and a chapel. North American Baptist churches financed these buildings. Later in 1981 an extension was added to the library, turning the old library into a reading room and making a new book stacks area and offices for the library. This was followed by some renovation of the main single students’ dormitory into several smaller room units and the building of three more adequate staff houses. Since then two rooms have been added to the library, a conference room on the eastern side and two classrooms on the western side of the building.  One of the rooms on the western side now serves as the Digital Library. In 1998, The Baptist World Alliance donated funds for the construction of another extension, on the western side of the main library.  This is still in the process of being furnished.  The churches of the NAB provided funds for the reading tables of this extension.

In 1985 a school for teaching missionary children (CAN) was built. In 1996 it was remodeled and made into a building for the Women’s Ministries Department, with office and classroom space, a conference room, a small sewing room, and modern kitchen facility for domestic science classes. During 1995-1996, a Child Care Centre was built. The Bethlehem Baptist Church of Minneapolis, USA also donated funds for the storey building (the Bethlehem Complex), which now provides enough space for offices, the Wycliffe Hall, and fourteen classrooms.

     In 1988, in keeping with this change of status, the title for the position of Principal was changed to that of President.

          The Seminary has been served through the years by a number of men who have given able leadership as Principal/President. These men are listed here, indicating the years they have served as the head of the institution.

  1. Rev. Don S, Ganstrom 1947-1950
  2. Rev. Earl H- Ahrens 1950-1960
  3. Rev. Elmer C. Strauss 1960-1970
  4. Rev. George W. Lang 1970-1971
  5. Dr. Louis Johnson 1971-1973
  6. Rev. John N. Nfor 1973-1985
  7. Rev. Alfred V. Bumuh 1985-1987
  8. Rev. David Burgess 1987-1988
  9. Dr. Kenneth Gullman 1988-1995
  10. Prof. Wilfred Fon 1995-2005
  11. Rev. Peter N. Nyumnloh 2005-2006
  12. Prof. Wilfred Fon 2006-2009
  13. Rev. George Mbongko 2009-2014
  14. Rev. Dr. Nseimboh Johnson 2015-2025
  15. Rev. Dr. Cliford Y. Fanfon 2026-Present

The Following programs have been conducted during the years at CBTS.

  1. SPECIAL ONE YEAR COURSE – a course for Students unable to enter the regular program.
  2. REGULAR CERTIFICATE COURSE – a three year course as the basic pastoral training program.
  3. ADVANCED COURSE – a further one year of training.
  4. THEOLOGICAL CERTIFICATE COIJRSE – a three year course which replaced the Advanced Course and provided a greater depth of training for pastors.
  5. CERTIFICATE OF THEOLOGY (CTC) – a five year course which replaced the Regular Certificate Course and the Theological Certificate Course and conformed to the length of secondary schools in Cameroon.
  6. TRANSITION COURSE – an additional three year course for those with the Regular Certificate to change their credentials to that of a Certificate of Theology.
  7. BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY DEGREE (B. Th) – in 1984, a four year program of study after completion of the Certificate of Theology and/or completion of “O” level GCE papers was added. This was changed in 1991 to be a 3-year course requiring 2 A-level GCE papers in addition to the above for entrance.
  8. DIPLOMA OF THEOLOGY COURSE (Dip Th.) – in 1990, a three year post-secondary school program designed for pastoral training and preparation for entrance into the B. Th. program to be added.
  9. CERTIFICATE OF PASTORAL STUDIES (CPS) – in 1991, a program designed for pastoral training for men who have less than a FSLC but feel called to the ministry was added..
  10. Women Vocational Institute- CBTS in synergy with the Cameroon Baptist Convention Women’s Department run a Women Vocational Institute for young women and ladies.
  11. MASTER OF THEOLOGY (MA)- A three years program for those without theological background and two years for those a background in Theology.
  12. THE FOUNDATIONAL PASTORAL TRAINING PROGRAM: A three year program to train men/women with less than a FSLC who are called to the pastoral ministry. This program went operational in CBTS from September, 2025.