Reverend Dr Wayne Wei-Yuan Siao was born in China on March 15, 1910. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Shanghai in 1932, and married the former Miss Si-Tek Chan in 1936. Reverend Siao served as teacher, head of religion department, assistant principal, and principal in many different high schools in China, Macau, Hong Kong and Malaysia from 1930 to 1969. From 1953 to 1969 he translated a total of 44 theological texts and other Christian books from English into Chinese. These volumes were widely used in many seminaries in Southeast Asia.
Reverend Siao received a Master of Religious Education degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1959, and an honorary Doctor of Divinity in 1975 from William Jewell College, an institute with a Baptist background, in recognition of his contributions to theological education.
He served the Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) from 1969 to 1985, first as professor, then as dean, and subsequently for eight years as its sixth president. The seminary had been established on January 11, 1954 at 35, Anson Road, Penang with three teachers and four students. During Reverend Siao’s service, the seminary’s ministries were developed. A team of lecturers was gradually formed by local pastor scholars, laying a foundation for contextual theological education.
In the meantime, Reverend Siao also pastored a church, doing theology in church. After his retirement from Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary, he served as a pastor in Singapore and was instrumental in establishing the Chinese division of Singapore Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife emigrated to the U.S. in 1992, settling in Tarrant County, Texas. He went to be with the Lord on November 26, 2001 at the age of 91. Reverend and Mrs Siao had six children: Anselm, Wai-Mui, Wai-Tse, Vivian, Yan-Park and Viola.
After Reverend Siao passed away, his family and several MBTS alumni established a fund, the Dr Wayne Siao Foundation, as an affirmation of his renowned contributions in Baptist circles and to Christian education in Malaysia. Interest earned from the fund was used to organise regular high-level and large-scale theological seminars to equip workers, build churches, and edify believers.
Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary also renovated the upper floor of the administration A Block as “Wayne Siao House” to commemorate the work of this highly respected former president. Reverend Siao had many students who are still actively serving in God’s kingdom. He served the Lord wholeheartedly, leaving a wonderful example of a servant of God.
