The history of LEMA Theological Seminary can be traced back to August 2015, when Rev Joshua Amaezechi and two other gentlemen –Chris Palmer and Gregg Shewan founded the Leadership Education Mission for Africa – LEMA Institute, USA as an extension of an annual Christian Leadership and Development Seminar which Rev Amaezechi started in Imo State of Nigeria in 2013. These annual Seminars were partly sponsored by the Resonate Global Missions (then Christian Reformed World Mission - CRWM) and organized in partnership with area pastors and the One Degree Foundation – a Nigerian NGO founded by Rev Amaezechi and coordinated by Rev Christian Ezuruike and Rev Susanna Willie.

During the 2014 Leadership Development Conference held at Mbaitoli Local Government Secretariate, a survey conducted among 126 pastors and Evangelists that participated revealed a lack of good understanding of the interplay of religion and culture. Out of the 126, none had a study bible, neither did any have a Bible Commentary nor a Concordance. In other words, they lacked both the preparation and the tools for understanding and practicing their religion. Some of the pastors he interviewed indicated that they would appreciate a theological and higher level Religion education program if given the opportunity.

On return to the United States, Rev Amaezechi articulated his vision of leadership development for Africa in a Ministry plan. In August 2015, two other gentlemen, Dr Chris Palmer and Rev Gregg Shewan met with Rev Joshua Amaezechi and reviewed the plan and on agreement, decided to pursue on sustainable bases the promotion of religious education among the african pastors and leaders. Thus, LEMA was born!

Since then, over 400 religious leaders in Africa have been trained through the LEMA Institute. In 2019, the Board of the LEMA Institute voted that the campus in Mbaitoli be upgraded to a Seminary in 2021. This decision was affirmed by the donation of a 27,000 volume library with 90% books on Religion and Theology by the Vine Institute, Utah and the building of a six -Classroom edifice and computer center fitting for higher education. Thus, in January 2021, the LEMA Institute in Nigeria became LEMA Theological Seminary, fully equipped to prepare students for degrees in Religion and theological disciplines.