ICETE's history is rooted in the emergence of networks of evangelical theological schools in the third world during the late 1960s and early 1970s. From among these new associations came a call in 1978 for some means by which they might be in regular contact and collaboration at the international level. The WEA Theological Commission agreed to sponsor the project, and ICETE was formed in March, 1980, at meetings in Hoddlesdon, England. In the years since its founding ICETE has become an established international forum for dialogue and cooperation among evangelical theological educators. ICETE has also taken a leading role in fostering renewal and excellence in evangelical theological education worldwide. And ICETE has sought to ensure that the interests and concerns of theological education are effectively voiced within the larger venues of evangelical cooperation globally. ICETE's membership now covers all major regions of the world. ICETE's earlier General Directors were: Dr. Paul Bowers (1980-82), Dr. Robert Youngblood (1983-88), and Dr. Roger Kemp (1989-97). The current General Director is Dr. Dieumeme Nöelliste of Jamaica.

Structure

ICETE operates within the framework of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA). The doctrinal basis of ICETE is the WEA statement of faith. ICETE's governing Board consists of a representative from each member body. ICETE's General Director administers the activities of ICETE under the oversight of the Board's executive committee. Representatives of all participating bodies meet from time to time to review the activities of ICETE and to advise in the development of ICETE's programmes.

Full membership in ICETE is limited to networks of evangelical theological schools that are multinational and transdenominational in constituency and services. Other bodies which share ICETE's commitment for the enhancement of evangelical theological education may participate in the ICETE family under an associate or similar status. A list of ICETE associate bodies is available on request. Individual schools and programmes relate to ICETE and its services through associations and agencies in their own region of the world, rather than directly.

Name

The full name of ICETE at its founding in 1980 was the International Council of Accrediting Agencies for Evangelical Theological Education. The acronym adopted was "ICAA". In 1996 the full name was abbreviated, in order to accent the purpose of the community rather than its principal constituents. The resulting name became: the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education. The resulting acronym "ICETE" is pronounced "eye-set".