LABI College is one of the oldest Hispanic Bible colleges in the country. LABI has trained and equipped thousands of pastors, ministers, superintendents and professional leaders. Recently, LABI has made new progress on a number of fronts, continuing our mission to prepare students to serve in the church and world.
New Opportunites Opened
LABI College has reached a historic accreditation milestone! For the first time in its 94-year history, LABI was granted accreditation, and thus given the opportunity to diversify programming. Accredititon will give LABI the opportunity to expand degree programs, and we plan to integrate principles of faith integration with work and the economy into these programs.
Since 1926, LABI’s mission has been to equip Christian men and women for service in the church and world. Serving as a training school for Hispanic Pentecostal pastors, LABI remained a Bible school for many years focused exclusively on biblical studies, theology, and ministry programs for within-the-church ministy. However, in recent years LABI has recognized the need of Christian education and training not only for church ministry but for all vocational contexts in which God places God’s people. This is where accreditation plays a key role in giving new opportunities to LABI College.
Special Bachelor in Theology Degree
LABI continues to offer a Bachelor in Theology degree. Distinctively, students have the opportunity to complete their degree with a concentration in Faith, Work and Economics with six courses that mirror the Oikonomia Network’s student outcome goals. This specific coursework is designed to equip pastors, church leaders and church members with resources and training in the interplay between Christian vocation and our economic lives. The courses discuss the importance of mature discipleship, biblical stewardship, value creation, productivity, social justice and responsible action. Additionally, bachelor’s students enter a group cohort in which they participate in activities, workshops, church internships and mentorship gathering related to ministerial and educational goals.
Diversifying Programs
Accreditation has given LABI the opportunity to integrate the same principles listed above into new degree programs. Potential future programs include a business degree that integrates general business subjects with Christian ethical, social and evangelistic concerns, as well as a psychology degree that integrates the same principles. Additionally, we plan to continue to offer the concentration in Faith, Work and Economics not only to theology majors, but to other majors as well. As we begin the process of diversifying programming, our college will remain a Christian higher educational institution, with the same community and mission: to equip Christian men and women for the Church and world. This mission itself drives our plan of diversification, and all diversification of programming is founded on equipping for Christian service for all graduates.
Making an Impact
We are happy to share the great news that this spring, LABI College will graduate its first cohort of Bachelor in Theology students! One of the graduates, Amy, describes her goal as “helping people become whole spiritually, mentally and emotionally.” Amy plans to enroll into a marriage and family therapy graduate degree and understands her theological background as foundational “in understanding the integration of faith, human relationships and the rest of the world.” Another student describes LABI’s focus on church internship as deeply formative, stating: “No matter where God places me moving forward, the experience I received at LABI has prepared me to help my church, help my community, and love people as my family.” We are hopeful that LABI will continue to make an impact in students’ lives and prepare them for what God has ahead for them. LABI is concerned not just with their time at our college, but also with their vocation after college. With God’s help, LABI will see many more years of preparation for service.
Nehemías Romero, provost
