In January 1954, the first group of students, consisted of 6 Chinese and one Iban, enrolled. Dr. Ivy Chou joined the school in mid-1955, and became the first full-time faculty member and principal. In 1956, the school main building was erected and dedicated.

In 1957, a class of 4 Iban students began their studies in Seputin, which was about 2 miles up-river from Kapit. At that time, Kapit was considered the centre for Iban missions, and most of the qualified Iban-speaking teachers were stationed around Kapit. Later, the School Board decided to merge the Iban Department with the Chinese Department in Sibu. When the buildings of the students’ hostels were completed in early 1959, the Iban Department moved from Seputin to Sibu. Rev. V. Sutlive was appointed Dean of the Iban Department, and was made Vice Principal the following year.

Along with the regular ministerial training, lay training had always been a concern of the school. In 1958, the Chinese Department launched a pilot lay training program, organizing lay training classes at various churches. A similar scheme was started by the Iban Department in 1960.

In 1970, the Chinese students and faculty members were transferred to the Trinity Theological College (TTC) in Singapore. There was still a lay correspondence course in Chinese language and a three-year Chinese residential course was offered to prepare young people for rural ministry.

The Iban Department did not participate in the transfer to TTC, and continued to train men and women for fulltime ministry. A “Home and Family Life Program” was started by the Iban Department in 1972, but most of the work was done in extension rather than on campus. From 1972 to 1974, the Iban Department faced difficulties in supporting the full-time training program.

In 1975, it was decided to press on with the training of ministers, and leaving the lay programmes to the churches. In order to assist the churches, an extension programme was initiated in 3 centres which were Nanga Mujong, Binatang and Bintulu. 35 students enrolled for this programme, and the response was so good that it was later on extended to another 3 areas.

The School did not have any new development between 1975 and 1988 except changes in leadership. The following was a list of Principals and administrative secretaries of the School from 1955 to 1988.

Principals: Dr. Ivy Chou (1955-67); Rev. Jack Williamson (1968); Rev. George Wang (1969-70); Rev. Vinson Sutlive (1971-72); Rev. Charles Root (1972-73); Rev. Terence Joseph (1973-74); Rev. James T. Reuteler (1975-76); Rev. Andrew Fowler (1976-79), and Rev. Dr. Mark Bollurinkel (1980-81).

After 1981, Administrative Secretaries were appointed instead of Principals.

Administrative Secretaries: Rev. Somporn Pongudom (1982); Mr. Denis Fraude (1983-84); Mr. Robert Ngidang (1985-86), and Mr. Baling (1987-88).

The Chairmen of the School during this period were Rev. Dennis, Rev. Ting Siew Cia, Rev. Ling Kia Cheng, Rev. Eugene Teng and Datuk Yao Ping Hua.

In 1988, all the church leaders deemed it an appropriate time to train pastors locally for the churches in and around the region. With the blessing of the Association for Theological Education in South East Asia (ATESEA) and the joint venture with TTC and the Malaysia Theological Seminary (STM), the school embarked upon a new journey.

1989 marked a new beginning because the Chinese Department started to offer joint Degree (B.Th./B.D.) courses with TTC and STM. In the same year, while the Iban Department continued to offer theological courses for training pastors and refresher course for the lay people, the Chinese Department also started the Theological Education by Extension (TEE) for church members.

In 1993, the Chinese Department implemented the Short Term Missions School (STMS) program for those who were burdened for God’s missions. The school took the initiative to foster better relationship with the churches and members through publishing newsletters, and by holding Theological Education Sundays, Theological Nights and Choir Tours. A Student Body and the Food Committee were formed to take care of the welfare of the students. With the strong support from the Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference (SCAC) and the Sarawak Iban Annual Conference (SIAC), the school had developed 6 full-time faculty members in various areas of specialty, and another four still in development.

In 1994, the School Board decided to demolish the old administrative block and build a four-storey building. It was completed in 1998.

1996 marked another major progress in the history of the school in that the School Board resolved to offer four-year full Degree course by itself. Students were given stronger exposure by requiring all third year students to take “Missions Trip” (outside Malaysia) as a compulsory subject. The first Graduation Service since its reopening of the Degree course was held on 13th November 1999 at 3 p.m. at Wei Kuok Hall, Sibu.

In 1998, the Chinese and Iban Departments merged to come under one administration, with one full time Principal, assisted by Deans of various fields. It has become one school with two media of instruction (Mandarin and Iban), having the same curriculum and assignment requirements.

The school published its first issue of MTS Message in 1999. To enrich the spiritual life of the students, fasting and prayer meeting was held every Monday, while Fast and Pray Day once a month held for the whole school. A new TEE Degree course was planned for SCAC and a Lay Leadership Training (LLT) Program for SIAC. To enhance the academic standard and conduct of the students, appraisals were taken using the following: “Assignment Assessment Form”; “Students' Conduct Appraisal”; “Students’ Field Education Performance Evaluation Form”, and “Field Education Supervisor's Report”. As the number of students increased, the School Board decided to plan the second phase of development. The male and female hostels were built. In order to foster closer relationship and cooperation between the School and the local churches, 5 theological Nights and 15 Theological Education Sundays were held. On 13th November 1999, the school celebrated its 45th Anniversary with a thanksgiving service.

The school planned to become a Theological Centre of Wesleyan Studies, focusing on Wesleyan / Methodist Theology; and Wesleyan / Methodist Worship and Music.

May 2000 was a very special month for the school as the first “Wesleyan Seminar” was successfully organized and attended by 130 pastors, theological students and church members. In the same month, ATESEA accredited and recognized the degree programs and recommended that the school should start a Master of Divinity program.

Under the blessings and support of the Board of Laity, SCAC, the school began a TEE program, offering Master Degree, Diploma and Certificate in Christian Studies. The first batch of 17 students was enrolled. The LLT program for SIAC also started in the same year to recruit and equip more Iban Christians to help in the longhouse pastoral ministry.

In the year 2001, the School had 8 full time lecturers, 1 full time librarian and 7 part time lecturers. The Board of Laity of the SCAC entrusted Zion Bible Correspondence School to the School as it was considered as a part of the TEE ministry. TEE course was introduced in Melbourne, Australia, at the invitation of the Chinese Methodist Church there.

Master of Ministry program (M. Min.) was started with a total of 11 students in 2002. The school also accepted the invitation from Kuching and Miri Districts to hold TEE courses for them, where about 100 students enrolled.

2003 marked a great break-through in the recruitment of new students. 24 new theological students from SCAC, 3 from SIAC, and 3 from SCAC for “Worship and Music” Program were accepted. Bachelor, Diploma and Certificate courses on “Worship and Music” programme were introduced. On 29th March, the new hostel (Susanna Hall) was dedicated. At the same year, the school ceased offering the TEE course in Melbourne, Australia.

In 2004 an IT Officer was employed under the School library. The most auspicious occasion for the year 2004 was the Golden Jubilee celebration. In conjunction with the occasion, the Wesley Centre of Research and Practical Theology was launched and the Worship and Music Course promoted. Grateful to His guidance and many Board members and lecturers for their faithful service in the past 50 years, though many had gone to be with the Lord. During the thanksgiving banquet, 17 Long Service Awards were given to those who served in the School for more than 10 years. The recipients consisted of 11 Board members, 4 faculty members and 2 clerks.

In 2005, an Admin. Officer was employed, and the IT Officer was moved into the School administration. Renovation was made to increase the married students’ quarters from 5 to 8 units. The School also had built a beach volleyball court to provide students with more facilities to have exercises.

In the beginning of 2006, the School received approval to recruit international students. The Sabah Provisional Annual Conference (SPAC) joined as a member of the school Joint Board of Management. Also in 2006, the School started having intakes for STMS Iban, STMS English and STMS College and plans were made to launch STMS Music in 2010.

In 2007, the School hired a security guard. The School also produced the most number of graduates in a year with 47 graduates: 5 in Certificate of Christian Studies, 4 in Licentiate of Theology, 20 in Bachelor of Theology, 3 in Bachelor of Divinity, 3 in Master of Divinity and 12 in Master of Ministry.

In 2008, the School engaged a Deans’ Assistant.

In 2009, a new major in Missiology was added to the Theology Program. The School’s Constitution was documented and implemented. Plans for the building of Male Hostel and Lecturers’ Apartment were approved for construction. First two foreign students were admitted. The School employed 12 full time lecturers, 24 part time lecturers and 14 full time staff. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 14 at 7am for the new male hostel and lecturers’ apartment. This year owing to the reduction in the number of graduates, the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner was no longer organized by the graduates as in the past but was done by the School. On the 30th of October, the School celebrated its 55th anniversary.

The School started a three-month STMS Music curricula with a total of 33 students participated in 2010. In the year, two four-storey buildings for the male hostel and the lecturer apartment were completed with residents to move in by 2011.

MTS Alumni Association was established in May 2, 2011 and the following individuals served the Committee. President: Nicholas Tan Chung Kiat, Secretary: Wong Siew Lang, Treasurer: Wong Mee King, Auditor: Tai Sing Leh, Members: Ningkan Galung ak Suring, Pau Kiew Lik and Hii Yew Tung. The School’s Board of Directors decided to renovate and expand the School library by the end of 2011 because of the growing collection.

In 2012, the School alumni raised fund among themselves for the School’s basketball court. The renovation was completed in April 2012.

In 2013, the School started a new administrative structure wherein under the Principal, there were Academic Dean and Dean of Students, other Directors and lecturers. Faculty meetings and Academic Dean/Dean of Students meetings took turns to be held monthly.

In order to cultivate and equip potential pastors and believers to possess more effective teaching and counseling skills, the School started the Family Ministry under the TEE program in 2014. This year the School celebrated the 16th Graduation (since its reopening of Degree Courses) and the 60th anniversary. The School graduation service and the anniversary celebration were held at Kingwood Hotel, Sibu.

The following Chairmen, Principals and Deans were appointed to run the school from 1989: Honorary Principal: Rev. Dr. Peter Chio (1989-96); Deans: Rev. J. Jelanding (1980-97), Mdm. Winnie Chan (1989), Rev. Su Chii Ann (1990-96 April), Rev. Ling Tung Kiing (1996); Principals: Rev. Dr. Ting Gah Hing (1997-98) Rev. Dr. Su Chii Ann (1999-2004), Rev. Dr. Liong Yuk Chong (2005-06 June), Rev. Dr. Tie King Tai (2006 June - ); Chairmen: Datuk Yao Ping Hua, Mr. Huang Cheng Hua, Mr. John Ling Tung Chuang and Rev. Dato’ Dr. Su Chii Ann.

In 2015, The 'Friends of MTS' fundraising project has been initiated to call for donations supporting the Iban and foreign (especially Chinese) students and faculty upgrading program. A new vehicle (Toyota Innova) has been donated by SCAC fellowships (Senior, Adult, Young Adult, Youth, and Junior Youth), as encouraged, and arranged by Rev. Kiew Tie Siong. 

A new B.Th./M.Div. major in Worship & Music program commenced in 2016. The 9th Wesleyan Seminar, titled 'Wesleyan Views of Eschatology,' was held on 15-17 August 2016. 

A Proposal to set up a Religion and Culture Centre (RCC) at Methodist Theological School, Sibu by under the initiative of the General Conference Indigenous Ministry Task Force [IMTF] of the Methodist Church in Malaysia, on 18 January 2017 with a starting/“birthing” grant of RM 50,000 from the IMTF. In 2017, Rev. Dr. Wong Kee Sing served as the part-time director.

Since 2019, MTS full-time lecturer, Rev. Hoo Sing Hang, has held the position of RCC Director. Currently, Rev. Hoo Sing Hang is enrolled in a part-time M.Th. program in Islamic Studies at the Oxford Centre for Religion and Public Life in UK. The Religion & Culture Centre (RCC) was officially formed in 2018. The Inaugural Service took place on May 19, 2018, by Bishop Emeritus Dr. Ong Hwai Teck, the Bishop of the Methodist Church in Malaysia (2013-2020).   

Over the past decade, many churches under the Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference (SCAC) have introduced Bahasa Malaysia (BM hereafter) Sunday Services, BM fellowships, and longhouse ministries. In response to the increasing demand for qualified BM Methodist pastors to serve the BM congregation, MTS officially launched the BM Theology Program in 2021. This initiative aims to address both the immediate and future needs of SCAC's BM pastors.

In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020, MTS swiftly adapted her theological education by embracing online platforms via Zoom and Google Classroom. The institution implemented stringent rules for online classes to ensure academic responsibility, while lecturers underwent professional development for effective digital teaching. Introducing hybrid classes, MTS prioritized communal and spiritual discipline by maintaining family groups and providing mental health support. Administrative and library matters were efficiently streamlined for the online environment.

In additions, MTS collaborated with her Evangelism Committee to equip students with digital evangelism skills, fostering valuable opportunities for Short-Term Missions School (STMS) and Methodist Short-Term Missions School Chinese (MSTMS) students. The institution's commitment to virtual engagement included activities like reflections after Ministry Awareness Week, pre-recorded ministry video clips, and hybrid discussions with pastors. Faculty development remained a focal point, with the annual retreat shifting online and featuring impactful sessions. Throughout the pandemic, MTS showcased remarkable flexibility, creativity, and 77 dedication to ensuring a resilient and uninterrupted theological education experience.

The BM Theology Program officially commenced in 2021 with the objective of training BM Methodist pastors to serve the BM congregation. Rev. Dr. Wong Teck Suk from Sabah Annual Conference has been seconded as the BM Coordinator. In 2023, MTS graduated her first batch of students from the BM Program. Lovinna Anak Merang was the first M. Div. graduate of the BM Program.

MTS will commence the MTS Fourth Phase Building Project (later MTS Building Extension Project) in the coming years to expand MTS ministry. This project includes constructing an administrative block that will be connected to the present administrative building (for a new library and other facilities), as well as building a sports hall for games, exercises and other activities.

In 2022, the MTS Extension Building Project Working Committee was formed to facilitate this project, and committee members were selected as follows:

Chairman: Mr. Wong Siong Boon (SCAC)
Secretary: Mr. Woung Lik Chiong (SCAC)
Treasurer: Mr. Mr. Ling Teck Huat (SCAC)
Auditor: Mr. Jefri Ngalambai (SIAC)
Fundraising: YBhg. Dato Ir. Alice Jawan (SIAC); Mr. Yong Siong Mew (SAC) and Mr. John Ting Sik Kang (SCAC).
Committee Members: Mr. Lee Muk Sui (SAC) (M & E)

By the grace of God, approximately 400 students have been trained and commissioned to carry out their mission in the field over the years. As we approach the 70th Anniversary of MTS in 2024, we remain steadfast in claiming God's promise that He is with us, empowering us to forge ahead with unwavering determination.