The Near East School of Theology was established in the 19th century by the American Missionaries who established the American University of Beirut.  It use to carry another name until 1932 when it got its present name “the Near East School of Theology”.  In 1966 it got its license as an Institution of Higher Learning in Theological Education from the Lebanese Government.

The purpose of the School is summarized as follows:
a- The preparation of leadership for the Evangelical churches of the Middle East.
b- Preparation of teachers for the church related schools.
c- Promotion of the ecumenical movement in the Middle East and the world.
d- Promoting the culture of understanding, openness to, and acceptance of the other religions both locally and internationally.