The Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME): Between Past and Present

Its New Executive Secretary Reverend Dr. Samuel Rozfy Ibrahim in a Special Episode for the “Platform of the Word” at MECC:  

"ATIME’s vision lies in strengthening cooperation between Theological Academic Institutes in the Middle East and instilling the Ecumenical spirit among their students"

What Are the New Activities that He Revealed?

Exclusive: Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) 

From the Cradle of Christianity to the entire world, and from the Middle East, a region that clings to its hope, to all corners of the globe, its mission is one: witnessing to faith and unity, and promoting the Ecumenical spirit in the region. It is an Association of fraternity, education, respect, and, most importantly, exchanging experiences and aspirations for a one, unified Theological future for all.

It is the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME), which has always sought to be a reference for students of Theological Institutes in the region. A Theological, cultural, and educational reference for future Church Leaders by contributing to the development of their capabilities and skills. How was ATIME established? What are its objectives and frameworks?

Establishment and Updates

Firstly, it should be noted that the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East is emanated from the Middle East Council of Churches. It was established in 1967 under the name of the Association for Theological Education in the Near East (ATENE), and its current name was given at the General Meeting in 1980.

It is worth mentioning that the Association includes four Church Families: The Orthodox Family, the Oriental Orthodox Family, the Evangelical family, and the Catholic family. The Association is also represented by 18 Theological Institutes across the region.

The latest updates of ATIME is the election of a new Executive Secretariat. It took place during its General Assembly meeting held on July 18, 2025, at Our Lady of Peace Sheraton - Cairo. The meeting was headed by the ATIME's Former President Archimandrite Jack Khalil, and its Former Executive Secretary Father Michel Kanbar.

The new Executive Secretariat includes a new President, His Grace Bishop Bigol Abbot of St. Virgin Mary El-Muharraq Monastery and Director of the Monastery's Seminary, representing the Eastern Orthodox Family, and a new Executive Secretary, Reverend Dr. Samuel Rozfy Ibrahim, Dean of the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo, representing the Evangelical Family.

As well as, Associate Executive Secretaries were elected: Dr. Gergis Ibrahim Saleh, Honorary Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches, representing the Oriental Orthodox Family, Sister Dr. Rose Abi Aad, Professor at the Faculty of Religious and Theological Sciences at La Sagesse University, representing the Catholic Family, and Dr. Daniel Ayouch, Professor at the St. John of Damascus Institute, University of Balamand, representing the Orthodox Family.

Mission and Vision

In a special episode produced by the “Platform of the Word” at MECC, prepared and presented by the Journalist Lea Adel Maamary, the Media Officer and the Coordinator of the Church and Media Relations at MECC, the new Executive Secretary Reverend Dr. Samuel Rozfy Ibrahim mentioned that the ATIME’s mission is to connect Theological Colleges and Institutes in order to exchange academic and Church resources and expertise, with the aim of bearing witness to faith and unity within the Middle East region.

Reverend Dr. Samuel also explained that the ATIME’s vision is to strengthen cooperation between academic Theological institutes in the Middle East, in view of contributing to implement “koinonia in praxis” among the Institutes, professors, researchers, and students.

Academic and Church Goals

In this context, Reverend Dr. Samuel Rozfy Ibrahim explains that the ATIME works to achieve several goals, including enhancing spiritual and Ecumenical awareness among Theology students from various Church Families.

On the academic level, ATIME seeks to establish a common space or platform for professors and researchers, and to establish joint educational courses among other Theological Institutes. In addition, it seeks to share material and educational resources, such as libraries, electronic resources, master's and doctoral theses, and as well as a human potential to better supply for the academic requirements. This is not to mention developing Theological cooperation between other Theological Institutes in the region and around the world.

On the Church level, ATIME aims to prepare the future clergymen and lay people to carry out the tasks of the Churches, in an ecumenical spirit capable of meeting the contextual challenges of the region. This is in addition to establishing fraternal ties between Institutes, professors, researchers, and students who serve the Ecclesial mission.

Future Activities

Practically, the ATIME’s new Executive Secretariat is preparing to organize future meetings that contribute to strengthening the Association's mission and consolidating its vision.

Reverend Dr. Samuel revealed to the Media of the Middle East Council of Churches a series of new activities that the Association's Egypt Committee is working to organize in the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The first meeting will focus on environmental Theology. The second will be a cultural and spiritual day at the Evangelical Theological Seminary, focusing on the importance of the Gospels in the life and Theology of the Church. The third meeting will be a sports day at the Coptic Catholic College in Maadi.

Hence, it is worth noting that the ATIME Former Executive Secretariat organized a general student conference entitled "Nicaea from the Preaching of the Apostles... to the Evangelization of Today". It took place from July 13 to 18, 2025, at Our Lady of Peace Hotel, Sheraton Heliopolis, Cairo.

The conference included various Theological lectures and sessions, providing a unique space that combined Theological research, Ecumenical experience, and human communication across Church Affiliations.

At the end of this special episode for the “Platform if the Word” at the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), the new Executive Secretary of the Association of Theological Institutes in the Middle East (ATIME) Reverend Dr. Samuel Rozfy Ibrahim, welcomed any media cooperation with the MECC Communication and Media Department to highlight the ATIME’s message and the latest developments in its work.