meet the faculty
Administrative Faculty
Yvette Robles
MS, La Verne University
BA, Bethany College
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Yvette Robles earned a bachelors degree in Psychology from Bethany College and a Masters 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 probation programs from the juvenile justice system. Her passion is empowering current and future leaders in healthy spirituality to enhance Kingdom work. In addition to her role as Dean of Students, Yvette also oversees the internship program, teaches practicum courses, and is part of the Pastoral Staff in the Spiritual Formation Department.
Nehemias Romero
EdD, University of Southern California (IP)
MA, Fuller Theological Seminary
BA, Vanguard University
Asc, LABI College
Nehemias graduated from LABI in ‘09, obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Vanguard University in ‘11, and a Master of Arts in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary in ‘15. He currently works at LABI College as Dean of Academic Affairs and as an Adjunct Professor teaching courses such as New Testament, Old Testament, Kingdom of God, and Pentecostal Theology. He also oversees LABI's accreditation and federal student aid progress. He lives with his wife and daughter in Los Angeles, CA.
Steve Valdez
MS, Emporia State University
BA, Vanguard University
Asc, LABI College
Steve Valdez is the Librarian at LABI College. In this role, Steve manages the library team by providing support to all aspects of the Dr. Simon Melendres Library, including providing support for research resources, and leading the Dr. Joel Torres Writing Center.
A big believer in higher education, Steve supports the LABI College community by maintaining the library. Steve Valdez is a qualified Librarian and holds a Master of Library Science degree from Emporia State University.
Steve is no stranger to the field of librarianship. Having spent 2 years as a Library Associate at Vanguard University, Costa Mesa, California and 2 years as Library Director Librarian at LABI College where he has grown into the school’s Librarian.
Prior to starting his work in the library field, Steve also has worked in business administration, Steve spent 2 years as a Edward B. Cole Academy public charter school.
Has a Alumni of LABI College, Class of 1999, Steve has a heart for LABI College, the students, and the mission of the school.
Dr. Steve Pinto
DMin, Capital Seminary
MTS, Liberty University
BA, Vanguard University
Asc, LABI College
Steve Pinto obtained an associate of arts degree from LABI College, a Bachelor of Arts in Ministerial and Pastoral Studies from Vanguard University, and a Master of Theological Studies degree from Liberty University. He’s a candidate for Doctor of Ministry with an emphasis on Formational Leadership in the 21st century at Capital Seminary. Steve’s knowledge of God’s Word and love for people, mixed with his high energy and sense of humor has been a powerful tool in God’s hands as an associate Pastor at Faro Church and as keynote speaker at various youth events, camps, conventions, and concerts around the country. He teaches, Communicating the Gospel in a Post-Christian Context, Introduction to Youth Ministry, Current Issues in Youth Ministry, Discipleship Making, and Expository Preaching.
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
PhD, University of Southern California (IP)
MA, Duke University
BA, Vanguard University
AA, LABI College
Victoria Perez Rivera obtained her Associates 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. She lives in Fullerton with her husband Daniel and daughter Sophia.
Emiliany Vargas