meet the faculty
Administrative Faculty
Yvette Robles
MS, La Verne University
BA, Bethany College
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Yvette Robles earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Bethany College and a Master of Science in Leadership and Management from the University of La Verne. Her leadership experiences have ranged from church administration to youth ministries and adolescent treatment centers from the juvenile justice system. Her passion is instructing and equipping current and future leaders in healthy spirituality to develop their gifts and enhance Kingdom work. In addition to her role as the Dean of Academic Affairs, Yvette also oversees the internship program and teaches practicum courses. Currently, Yvette serves on the leadership team of a local church in Orange County.
Nehemias Romero
EdD, University of Southern California (IP)
MA, Fuller Theological Seminary
BA, Vanguard University
Asc, LABI College
Nehemias is an alumnus of LABI (2009). He earned a BA in Religion from Vanguard University (2011) and an MA in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary (2015). Currently pursuing a Doctor in Education from the University of Southern California, Nehemias has engaged and overseen various institutional initiatives that include state approval, accreditation, federal financial aid, and program changes/development. He has also served as adjunct professor teaching courses such as New Testament, Old Testament, Kingdom of God, and Pentecostal Theology. Nehemias lives with his wife and two children in Los Angeles, CA.
Core Adjunct Faculty
Steven Acevedo
DMiss., Grace Mission University (IP)
MAICS, Grace Mission University
MTS, Vanguard University
MBA, Keller Graduate School of Management
MAFM, Keller Graduate School of Management
BSTM, DeVry Institute of Technology
AA, Cypress College
Steven obtained an Associate of Arts degree from Cypress College, a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications Management from DeVry Institute of Technology, a Master of Accounting and Financial Management and a Master of Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management, and a Master of Theological Studies degree from Vanguard University. He has a pending Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies degree that will be complete in the Fall of 2020, and he is concurrently a Doctor of Missiology candidate at Grace Mission University in Fullerton, California. He is a devoted husband and father; an avid reader, passionate learner, and equally passionate about sharing what he has learned with others. He teaches courses in Theology, Ethics, and Finance at LABI as a senior faculty member
Elizabeth Baez
MS, University of Phoenix
BS, Vanguard University
Asc, LABI College
Elizabeth Baez is an ordained minister of Assemblies of God. She acquired a Biblical Studies degree from LABI. She obtained a Bachelor in Psychology from Vanguard University, and she earned a Master of Science in Counseling with a focus on Marriage, Family and Child Therapy from the University of Phoenix. She focuses on the professional task of counseling leaders in the human services industry, and has a strong focus on community-based behavioral healthcare and welfare services for children and families. She is a senior faculty member at LABI where she teaches Introduction to Psychology, Counseling Children and Adolescents, Spiritual Care and Healing, Counseling for Youth Ministers, and Marriage and Family.
Dr. John Brito
DMin, Fuller Theological Seminary
MDiv, Fuller Theological Seminary
John Brito earned a D.Min. and M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary. He is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and is the founder and lead pastor of Spirit Life in Norwalk, CA. He is passionate about empowering the next generation to pursue their calling and with helping others discover the beauty of God’s word. As an LABI adjunct professor, he teaches courses in Bible, theology and ministry. He enjoys going on long walks with his wife, Myrna, and loves all things coffee.
Juan Lopez
MA, Pentecostal Theological Seminary
Juan Carlos Lopez holds a Masters Degree from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary in Cleveland, TN. He is a former SPD Youth Pastor, and is now helping plant a church in Long Beach, called Parish LB. His area of interest is Early Church Liturgy and how it can help shape Pentecostal theology. He teaches Church History as well as Ministry and Social Justice.
Adam Najar
DMin, Biola University (IP)
ThM, Liberty University
MDiv, Liberty University
MATS, Faith International University
BA, Faith International University
BA, Calvary Chapel Bible College
AA, College of the Desert
Adam Najar obtained an Associate of Arts degree from College of the Desert, a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Calvary Chapel Bible College, a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Faith International University, and a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology (ThM) from Liberty University School of Divinity. Currently, he is pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry degree from Talbot School of Theology of Biola University. Along with teaching as an adjunct professor, Adam serves as the Associate/Teaching Pastor at Templo Victoria, a multi-campus, multi-cultural church based out of Cathedral City, CA. He has been serving in full-time pastoral ministry for the past thirteen years and finds no greater joy than expounding the Word of God and equipping the people of God for the work of the ministry. He frequently participates as a keynote speaker, whether domestically or internationally, at various events, such as Leadership Conferences, Youth Retreats/Conferences, Pastoral Seminars and Workshops, Apologetic Conferences, and Men’s Conferences/Camps. He is married to Monica and together they have two amazing children and currently reside in Cathedral City, CA.
Lucille Flores
Victoria Perez Rivera
Ph.D., University of Southern California (IP)
MA, Duke University
BA, Vanguard University
AA, LABI College
Victoria Perez Rivera obtained her Associate's degree from LABI College in 2013, completed her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Vanguard University in 2015, and her Master's Degree in Theological Studies from Duke University in 2017. She is currently a PhD student in Religion at the University of Southern California. Her areas of academic interest include reception history of Pauline literature, ancient Greco-Roman culture, race, ethnicity and gender. She teaches classes such as New Testament, Biblical Exegesis, and Gender Issues in the Church
Emiliany Vargas
Dr. Antonio Lopez
Dr. Paul Flores
Jeffrey Bamaca
Jessica Arriaga
