[1] AGST's purpose is to enable its member seminaries to offer advanced degrees, especially doctorates, to prepare scholars and leaders for the Church and society in Asia.

[2] Bong Rin Ro notes that AGST was formed to stop the "brain drain" of Asian Christian workers to the West: "The Asian Church had depended on western seminaries and churches too long, and the time had come for us to be independent from the West in theological education; otherwise, we would not be able to grow ourselves.

"[2] He goes on to note that one of AGST's objectives was to "encourage cultural adaptation of theological education.

Asian students needed to study theological training within their cultural contexts of poverty, suffering, injustice, non-Christian religions, and communism.

[9] Additionally, Chiang Mai Theological Seminary (Thailand), Malaysia Evangelical College (Sarawak), and Phnom Penh Bible School (Cambodia) are associate members.