Biblical Seminary

What Biblical Seminary does

Missio Seminary is a private, non-profit theological seminary headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded in 1971 as Biblical Theological Seminary and rebranded under its current name in October 2018. The institution offers theological education across diploma, bachelor's (via partner), master's, and doctoral levels, including the Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Arts tracks in Bible/Theology, Counseling, and Ministry, Master of Theology (ThM), Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Urban Mission, and a non-degree Diploma Program. The PULPIT program (Program for Urban Leaders and Pastors in Transition), launched in October 2018 with a $976,616 Lilly Endowment grant, provides cohort-based support for urban pastors in the Philadelphia metro region. In March 2026, Missio completed a three-year integration to become a legacy partner of Kairos University, gaining access to accredited degree programs at tuition approximately 75% below the national average while preserving institutional identity.

The seminary's technology stack centers on the eCampus online learning management system with synchronous class delivery via Zoom, implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Supporting integrations include Flywire for international student payment processing, Parchment for transcript ordering, and membership in the Digital Theological Library consortium. The institution publishes the Journal of Urban Mission (JofUM) as a peer-reviewed scholarly outlet for urban missional theology research. Faculty include Oxford-educated scholars and endowed chair holders, and the seminary holds continuous accreditation with the Association of Theological Schools since 1996.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees (monthly billing cadence), donations (over $1.77M reported in FY 2018-19), and restricted grants from Lilly Endowment (cumulative grants approaching $2M). The customer base spans prospective theological students, urban pastors and church leaders, lay leaders, and international students, with alumni serving in ministries across at least seven countries. Go-to-market is sales-led through direct enrollment, virtual open houses, church partnerships, and the new Kairos University distribution channel. Title IV federal student aid eligibility is maintained through ATS as the accreditation gatekeeper following the voluntary surrender of MSCHE accreditation in 2024.

Name

Biblical Seminary

Legal name

Missio Seminary

Website

https://missio.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Missio Seminary is a private, non-profit theological seminary in Philadelphia offering theological degrees (MDiv, MA, ThM, DMin, Diploma) for Christian ministry and urban pastoral leadership, now distributed via a legacy partnership with Kairos University.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theological Education / Seminary Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Divinity Schools (University-Affiliated) (EDAHAKAC), Ministerial Training Institutes (Clergy Formation) (EDAHAKAE)

Keywords

• Theological education
• Graduate seminary programs
• Urban ministry training
• Pastoral leadership development
• Missional theology degrees

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Missio Seminary generates revenue primarily through student tuition and fees for theological degree programs including MDiv, MA, ThM, DMin, and Diploma programs. Tuition is approximately 75% lower than national average for theological education.
2. Student Payment Services: Accepts tuition payments via credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express), Venmo, PayPal, check, and cash. International students can pay through Flywire partnership.
3. Financial Aid: Participates in U.S. Department of Education's Direct Loan program (FAFSA school code G23230) and offers private student loan assistance
4. Donations and Grants: Seminary receives donations and grant funding. 2018-19 fiscal year received over $1.77 million in donations. Received $976,616 Lilly Endowment grant for PULPIT program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Missio Seminary (formerly Biblical Theological Seminary) is a non-denominational, ATS-accredited theological seminary delivering graduate-level theological education. It offers degree programs from diploma through doctoral levels (MDiv, MA, ThM, DMin) with a curricular emphasis on missional theology and urban ministry, delivered through on-campus and Zoom-based online instruction via the eCampus platform.

Product overview

Missio Seminary (formerly Biblical Theological Seminary) is a non-denominational theological seminary located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offering a comprehensive portfolio of theological education programs from diploma through doctoral levels. The institution provides face-to-face and hybrid instruction at its Callowhill campus, with recent expansion through a legacy partnership with Kairos University enabling affordable online access to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Core programs include the Master of Divinity (MDiv), various Master of Arts (MA) tracks in Bible/Theology, Counseling, and Ministry, the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Urban Mission, Master of Theology (ThM), the Diploma Program for foundational training, and the PULPIT Program for urban pastor development. The seminary also publishes the Journal of Urban Mission as part of its missional scholarly contribution. All programs emphasize missional theology, practical ministry training, and contextual engagement with urban communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master of Divinity (MDiv) Program Comprehensive three-year seminary degree preparing students for pastoral ministry, combining biblical studies, theological education, and practical ministry training. Aimed at prospective students pursuing ordained ministry vocations.
• Master of Arts (MA) Programs Graduate-level theological education tracks in Bible/Theology, Counseling, and Ministry designed for various vocational paths. Targeted at prospective students seeking focused theological credentials.
• Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Program Advanced professional doctorate for practicing ministers focusing on urban mission, leadership, and ministry transformation. Led by Dr. Kyuboem Lee and aimed at experienced ministry practitioners.
• Master of Theology (ThM) Program Advanced theological degree for students seeking deeper scholarly research and theological studies beyond the MA level. For prospective students pursuing academic or research-oriented ministry paths.
• Diploma Program Non-degree program launched September 2021 providing foundational theological education and training for individuals seeking introductory ministry preparation. Targeted at lay leaders and church workers without prior seminary credentials.
• PULPIT Program (Program for Urban Leaders and Pastors in Transition) Two-year program supporting and strengthening urban pastors and church leaders in the Philadelphia metro region through expert training, small group learning, multi-generational cohort peer groups, and individual activities. Funded by Lilly Endowment and open to serving Philadelphia-area pastors.
• Journal of Urban Mission Peer-reviewed theological journal dedicated to urban mission theology and practice, housed at Missio Seminary under the editorship of Dr. Kyuboem Lee. Covers multicultural ministry, church planting, and urban discipleship for scholars and ministry practitioners.
• Master of Arts in Counseling Graduate counseling program preparing students for professional counseling ministry, with clinical training and integration of Christian faith and psychological practice. For prospective students pursuing counseling vocations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tuition approximately 75% lower than national average for theological education
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kairos UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 March 2026Missio Seminary became a legacy partner of Kairos University after a three-year integration process beginning February 2023. This partnership provides students access to affordable accredited degree programs (bachelor's to doctoral) with tuition approximately 75% lower than national average. Missio's commitments are embedded in Kairos University programs, and students become part of a global learning community spanning every continent.
• The Polis InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit research center for urban renewal founded by Dr. Frank James, located in Orlando, Florida. Polis Institute represents Missio's commitment to urban mission research and community development.
• Journal of Urban MissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMissio Seminary serves as institutional home for the Journal of Urban Mission, a scholarly publication dedicated to urban mission research and missional theology.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Regent University School of Divinity: ATS-accredited seminary offering online MDiv, ThM, and DMin with strong online delivery. Comparable graduate theological programming; faculty credential peer (PhD of counseling faculty).
• Kairos University: Affordable ATS- and HLC-accredited distance-learning theological university that became Missio's legacy partner in March 2026. Closely tied strategic partner and channel for distributing Missio content globally.
• Wesley Biblical Seminary: Smaller ATS-accredited online-friendly theological seminary offering MDiv and DMin at lower tuition. Closely comparable as a small, affordability-focused accredited seminary peer competing in the same niche.

Direct peers

• Dallas Theological Seminary: ATS-accredited graduate theological seminary offering ThM and DMin. Comparable graduate theological curriculum; faculty credential peer (Dr. R. Todd Mangum holds DTS PhD).
• Westminster Theological Seminary: ATS-accredited graduate theological seminary in Philadelphia offering MDiv, ThM, and DMin. Direct geographic and curricular peer; multiple Missio faculty hold Westminster degrees.
• Fuller Theological Seminary: Large ATS-accredited multi-denominational seminary offering MDiv, ThM, and DMin with strong urban ministry focus. Faculty credential peer (Dr. David Lamb holds Fuller MDiv) and scale competitor.
• Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary: Multi-denominational ATS-accredited seminary offering MDiv and DMin programs. Highly comparable as a peer seminary, with Missio's former president Frank James having served as Provost there.
• Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School: ATS-accredited seminary in Rochester, NY offering MDiv and DMin. Comparable accredited peer; Missio's president holds a doctorate from this institution.
• Palmer Theological Seminary: ATS-accredited seminary of Eastern University offering graduate theological degrees. Comparable ATS-accredited peer; faculty credential peer (Dr. Chad Hinson graduate).

Regional players

• Tyndale University: Canadian ATS-affiliated seminary offering theological degrees including DMin. Comparable theological graduate education model with cross-border faculty and curriculum parallels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/missioseminary
• Xx.com/missioseminary

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Biblical Seminary