China Evangelical Seminary is a concerted effort to transcend individualism and denominationalism. A Board of Trustees was formed in May 1970 and the Seminary had her opening exercise on October 5, 1970. It is the first Seminary, in Taiwan, devoted to training college graduates to be workers of the Kingdom. The first president is Rev. James H. Taylor, III, who was a missionary of Free Methodist Church at that time. In the first year there were five full-time faculty, four administrative staffs, seven full-time and sixteen part-time students. By 1972, there were twenty-eight full-time students, fourteen full-time faculty and administrative staff and seventy-nine TEE students in Taipei, with another twenty in Taichung. During the seventies, the campus was located on rental properties in Shihlin, Taipei.

The second phase of the development began when we owned our first campus building on the present site (1979), and it almost coincided with the presidency of Dr. Timothy Lin who succeeded Rev. Taylor.  A second building was added in 1987, on a site right adjacent to the first one. Under Dr. Lin’s presidency (1980 - 1990), the faculty was further increased to thirteen full-time, sixteen part-time and one teaching assistant in 1987.  Full-time student enrollment exceeded one hundred in 1982, and reached the height of one hundred thirty-seven in 1987 (in addition to fifty-eight special students). In the same year, an Extension center was established in Los Angeles, California of U.S.A.

During the presidency of Dr. Caleb Huang (1990 – 1997), graduate programs were developed; Th.M. program started in 1994 and Doctor of Ministry Program in 1995. A hostel for married students was added in 1994.

After a brief period of interim presidency under Dr. Peter Chow, Dr. Che Bin Tan took over the presidency in January 1998. The vision of the Seminary was reviewed and redefined according to the needs of churches in the Chinese communities. At a result, a new organization structure was set-up. The North-American ministry was also formally expanded into the CES North American Campus in the same year, offering a non-residential MCS degree.

The current president, Dr. Paul Chien-Kuo Lai, took over after Dr. Tan retired in 2004. Under Dr. Lai’s leadership, the Institution is embarking on the 3rd phase of facility expansion, in preparation for the increasing needs of students from both Taiwan and abroad. Currently, the Board is consisted of 20 Chinese and foreign evangelical gospel organizations and mission organizations. Seven executive Board members are appointed to provide the direction and to monitor the actual operation of the seminary. There are 16 full-time faculty, 30 administrative staff, 300+ master or higher level degree-seeking students, and 1200+ extension program students.