Latin American Bible Institute's New President Encourages Academic Rigor

January 27, 2001

Source: Los Angeles Times

On January 27, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported that Isaac J. Canales's "combination of intellect and charisma built his Mission Eben-Ezer Family Church in Carson into a dynamic church of 1,500 members. That demanding but deeply spiritual style of teaching earned him a reputation as a popular professor at the Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena and one of the most respected Latino theologians in the country." Canales, 51, was appointed president of the Latin American Bible Institute in August 1999. "The institute is one of 18 private, post-secondary schools administered by the Assemblies of God, the world's largest Pentecostal denomination." Students at the school can choose a two-year biblical studies program, three-year programs in ministerial studies, or bachelor of theology degrees in theological studies. Studies may be pursued in Spanish or English, and the institute earned an international reputation for its bilingual theological program. The institute has 1,873 students, 45% of whom are from outside the United States, hailing from countries including Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru and Argentina. "But in some religious circles, the institute has been labeled a minority program. It lacks accreditation, and some scholars have criticized its curriculum as academically weak and have deemed it a vocational school for pastors. Canales was brought in to change that." Jerry Brown, an instructor, credits Canales with changing the school already, with his "vision that the school can become a real force at a professional level without losing contact with the people." Canales came from a poor family, like many students at the school, and hopes the institute can become "the institution that produces the most powerful leaders of the Hispanic Pentecostal church." He is working on getting the school accredited, appointing academic department heads, and developing a more academically challenging cirriculum and better recruiting systems, as well as establishing a donor base of alumni and Latino churches. Students laud Canales' friendly, down-to-earth style, and say they appreciate receiving an education in an environment of shared faith.