Facultad Bible Collage (FBC) is committed to those who pursue theological education in support of a ministerial vocation. Likewise, we support those who consider it essential preparation to continue their formal education in a professional Master’s program leading to a Doctorate.

A distinctive feature of the FBC is the creation of programs that enables students to study in Spanish or English in a context that focuses on spiritual life and respects the student’s cultural world.

History

FTBI traces its origins within the classrooms of LIFE Bible College (now LIFE Pacific College). It was in 1976 that Dr. Enrique Zone had the vision to begin classes for Hispanic evangelicals in the Spanish language. These classes were held at LIFE Pacific College in the historic “500 Room” of Angelus Temple.

In search of a curriculum with a structure more appropriate to the educational needs of the Hispanic and Urban population, FBC was autonomously established in 1978 under the leadership of Dr. Enrique Zone as Founder and President.

In 1979, permanent use of the Beverly Blvd. Foursquare Church in Montebello, a city near Los Angeles, was obtained.

The first graduation ceremony was held on June 22, 1981, with the pioneering class of twelve students, “More than Conquerors.” That same year, the International Board of the Foursquare Denomination officially recognized the school, retroactively, as the educational institution for the training of Hispanic Foursquare ministers.

The College offers two ministerial programs: the two-year Associate of Ministry and the three-year Bachelor of Christian Ministry. It also offers Continuing Education programs during the summer months with a diverse curriculum.

As a pioneering institution, the College has graduated pastors, Christian educators, missionaries, evangelists, church planters, and local workers, both within and beyond the Hispanic and Urban communities of Southern California.

RECOGNITIONS

-In 1981, FBC became a member of the Hispanic Association for Theological Education, now ATH (athispana.org). In 1982, FBC earned the Ministerial Diploma endorsement, and in 1986, the Bachelor of Christian Ministry.

-FBC graduates may apply for the ministerial credential awarded by the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.

-Based on this affiliation, the College operates under the Education Code of the Bureau for Private Postgraduate and Vocational Education of the State of California.

OUR OBJECTIVES

FBC fosters ministerial development so that the leadership, composed of men and women, is equipped to evangelize the nations and minister and serve in the local church. This focus is articulated in four sets of objectives that seek to achieve this goal for its students.

Spiritual Objectives

The primary objective of FBC is spiritual. The curriculum is based on the development of Christian Ministers who are firmly rooted in Christ and His Word. The effectiveness of the task is always dependent on the spiritual walk of the Lord’s servant.

Therefore, we are committed to:

1. Cultivate the roots of spiritual and personal experience in an atmosphere of prayer and humility before the Lord.

2. Develop lives sculpted by biblical precepts through the discipline of reading and studying the Word of God.

3. Guide the student to recognize the work of the Holy Spirit in his or her life and ministerial responsibilities.

Educational Objectives

FBC’s central contribution is the preparation of ministers qualified in pastoral, evangelistic, missiological, administrative, and teaching tasks.

We are therefore committed to:

1. Provide academic programs that will stimulate the student’s potential in the ministerial field to which he or she is called to serve.

2. Promote an appropriate program that encompasses and challenges the student’s social and personal growth. Such a process requires holistic development of the individual.

3. Instill the habits of diligence, loyalty and seriousness in all dimensions of the student’s life.

Vocational Objectives

We exist for those who have received God’s call to exercise full ministry or lay work within the Church.

We are therefore committed to:

1. To train pastors, missionaries, evangelists, teachers, workers and lay leaders who have responded to the call to serve Christ and His Church.

2. Deepen Biblical-Ministerial knowledge and thus develop effective work within the Body of Christ.

3. Involve knowledge and practice by expressing it through ministerial work in the local church as an additional means of verifying what was learned in class.

Socio-Cultural Objectives

The concepts of sociocultural diversity and unity exist in an environment of simultaneous tension. And it is in this environment that authentic unity in diversity is achieved. We believe that God calls every citizen of every nation and brings them together in a pilgrim society composed of many languages, customs, cultures, laws, and institutions that preserve order and peace. As long as these do not hinder the worship of the Supreme and True God, it is inappropriate to abolish or rescind differences.

We are therefore committed to:

1. Provide a cultural-academic environment that does not violate the culture and language of the student.

2. Accept and recognize every citizen of every nation who has a calling from God to the Ministry, regardless of geographic location or cultural.

3. Profess true worship in unity of every race, culture, and language that confesses the Lordship of Christ Jesus.

These four goals describe the character and personality of a Christian who lives and practices God’s Word. It is the Holy Spirit who empowers each student to achieve these goals.