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“From its beginnings as a small Spanish department at Berean Bible Institute in San Diego, it has grown into a fully accredited college in La Puente.”  Part 1

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1920s — Founding & Vision (1926–1929)

1926: Alice E. Luce, a former Anglican missionary, partnered with Ralph and Richard Williams to establish LABI as the Spanish Department of the Berean Bible Institute. The department held its classes at the Full Gospel Tabernacle facilities in San Diego, California.

• The purpose was to specifically train Latino Pentecostal leaders, making it the oldest Hispanic Bible institution in the United States.

• School Motto was "Procura con diligencia presentarte a Dios aprobado, como obrero

         que no tiene de que avergonzarse, que traza bien la palabra de verdad.” 2 Timoteo 2:15.

• School Song was “En Busca de Obreros,”

• Early curriculum emphasizes bilingual, bicultural ministry training, a distinction that continues today.

1929: The Spanish Department was incorporated under the name of Latin American Bible Institute of San Diego, California.

1930s — Early Growth & Relocation (1930 – 1936)

1936:  LABI moved to a larger house in La Mesa, California, and remained there until 1940. Students farmed their own vegetable gardens, a fruit orchard, and cared for cows and chickens. The administrators and faculty often helped can tomatoes and fruit to help feed the LABI Family.

• Travel between San Diego and to the new facilities in La Mesa became burdensome for many students. LABI moved once again.

1940:  Second Relocation of LABI (1940 -1949)

1940: Sister Luce moved the school to Los Angeles, where, in 1923, with the Steele family pioneered El Aposento Alto, the first Spanish Assemblies of God Church, located at Carmelita Avenue in Belvedere.

• The school becomes increasingly connected to the Assemblies of God, shaping its theological and ministerial framework.

• LABI maintains steady enrollment and continues preparing ministers for Spanish-speaking congregations.

• Steady increase in enrollment made it necessary for a larger, more permanent campus

1946:  LABI Leadership and supporting Hispanic churches buy property at the corner of Fifth and Lomitas in La Puente, California. Noel Perkins, Missionary Secretary of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, was pictured with a shove in his hand, with Sister Luce leading the song service.

• The maintenance of the school construction during these years took a toll on Luce’s health.

• Sister Luce played a major role in the design of the school campus and curriculum.

• LABI became a crucial training center for Latino ministers and remains influential today.

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1950s — Major Relocation & New Era (1950–1959)

• 1950: In February of 1950, LABI relocates to La Puente, California, in the Avocado Heights district. The Rev. Dr. Simon Franco was named its first Hispanic Superintendent. It has the distinction of being the oldest Pentecostal Bible Institute in the world. Still located in La Puente, the school continues to focus on preparing Christian men and women for service to the Church and the world.

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         By Dr. Grace Morales, Ph.D. (Resource: Michael Peterson, 2009)