Founded in 1926 by Alice Luce, LABI College is the nation’s oldest Hispanic Bible College. Over the past ninety years, LABI has trained and equipped thousands of pastors, ministers, superintendents and professional leaders. Since joining the Oikonomia Network in 2016, along with our sister institution Latin American Theological Seminary, LABI has made strides to accomplish our common mission of bearing God’s image, bearing witness, and bearing fruit. We have also launched academic programs that reflect the six ON student outcome goals.
New Degree Program
This past July, LABI received official notification that our substantive change application for a new bachelor’s program with a degree in theology has been approved by the Commission on Accreditation for the Association of Biblical Higher Education. The new Bachelor program can be completed in as little as three years. This new program has the option for students to complete a minor in “Faith, Work, and Economics.” Six distinct courses have been introduced. These six courses are also a part of a new certificate program currently offered at LABI. These six courses mirror the Oikonomia student outcome goals. This coursework is designed to equip pastors, church leaders and church members with information, knowledge and awareness in relation to how our faith guides our work, and how faith-driven work impacts our economy. The courses will discuss the importance of mature discipleship, biblical stewardship, value creation, productivity, social justice issues and responsible action.
Partnership for Postgraduate Studies
LABI is also building a partnership with Vanguard University that will allow for LABI bachelor graduates to work towards a master’s degree in leadership, religion or theology. The resulting impact will include a potential shortening of the length of time to complete the master’s degree. Students who enter into the LABI-Vanguard university partnership will be able to complete their Bachelor’s in Theology and Master’s in Leadership, Religion, or Theology in approximately four years and eight months. Integrated as a minor and/or certificate, this program will include the opportunity for students to study in the Faith, Work, and Economics courses outlined above.
Scholarship and Leadership on Key Cultural Issues
Questions of ethnic/national identity and gender roles are essential to how we pursue faith/work integration in modern cultural environments. LABI is proud to take continuing steps forward in understanding God’s mission and the church’s role in light of these critical issues.
In February 2018, LABI will launch the Dr. Grace Morales-Scott Women’s Leadership Institute. Morales-Scott, affectionally referred to as “Dr. Grace,” has been a role model to thousands, and an example of leadership to LABI men and women for over fifty years. This new institute will be positioned to provide leadership-focused workshops, trainings and coursework for LABI students and the greater church community. The institute will also provide a new study space for on campus and commuter students.
Dean of Academic Affairs Rodolfo Estrada has recently published a scholarly article in Pneuma: Journal of the Society for Pentecostal Studies on how Greco-Roman ethnic views inform our understanding of Peter and Cornelius’s encounter in Acts 10:28–48. He explores Gentile perception of Jewish relations by examining classical writers such as Diodorus of Sicily and Tacitus. Estrada contends that visions and Spirit baptism within Acts 10 are divine events that challenge racial segregation and xenophobia towards foreigners. Also, on October 18, Estrada and LABI faculty member Victoria Rivera presented papers on the Spirit’s engagement with racial tensions, foreigners and reconciliation, and the implications for Pentecostalism and the Church at large, at LABI’s Hispanic Institute for Pentecostal Studies.
We remain committed to helping churches and leaders discover God’s challenging call to discipleship in all of life!
Nehemias Romero, Chief of Staff
