In 1953, plans for ISTI were launched as a result of the youth fellowship research committee spearheaded by H. B. Mitchell, Pansy Brown and Josie B. Green (Rogers). Harry B. Mitchell was the chairman of the Board of Christian Education for the National Association of the Church of God with Pansy Brown and Josie Rogers serving as officers for the youth fellowship.

However, the plans were delayed until 1957 due to the lack of finances. Through the vision of these two pioneering women, in July of 1957, ISTI was born. Sponsored by the National Board of Christian Education, the purpose of ISTI was to train and develop leaders of the National Association throughout the country on an annual basis.

The first ISTI was held in Baltimore. Maryland at the Thomas Knox Business Institute. Thomas Knox was a member of the Baltimore Church of God where J. Sherman Scott was Pastor. The Baltimore congregation was very supportive and with a $50.00 donation from the Board of Christian Education of the National Association, ISTI was under way. Thirty-eight students attended this first ISTI at a cost of $25.00 per student which included tuition, lodging and board. Alta Greene, Thomas Sawyer, Wilbert Delaine, Clifton and Mary Morgan served as the first teachers of ISTI along with Pansy Brown.

Pansy Brown was appointed as the first Director and Josie B. Rogers appointed as the first Dean. Since that time ISTI has appointed five other directors, and three other deans. Mary F. Robinson, Dean, 1965; Mary Boyd, Director, 1968; Marcus H. Morgan, Director, 1968; Rudolph Smith, Director, 1971; in 1972 the office of Dean and Director were combined and Rudolph Smith held both positions until 1974, when the Board of Christian Education again separated the office of director and dean. From 1992 through 1995, Dr. Michael D. Curry served as Director and Dr. Verda Verda Beach served as Dean from 1992 through 2002. Currently Dr. Michael A. Smith is the Director serving with Elsa Johnson Bass who became Dean in 2003.

From 1957-61 ISTI was held at Thomas Knox Business Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. Since 1961 ISTI has traveled around the country training, educating, developing and expanding the leadership base of the National Association. Some of the cities which have hosted ISTI were:

1962 - Chicago, IL 1963 - Detroit, MI
1966 - Washington, DC 1967 - Akron, OH
1970 - Raleigh. NC 1973 - Atlanta, GA
1976 - Tugobo, MS 1977 - Atlanta, GA
1979 - to present, Anderson, IN

Today ISTI continues to fulfill the vision of those pioneering women and men who had a trail-blazing spirit to equip and edify God's people to do the work of ministry.