LABI College and Latin American Theological Seminary Awarded New Capacity Grants

Press Release – May 7th, 2025 - For Immediate Release

In December 2024, LABI College was awarded a major Christian Foundation Grant to help with funding infrastructure and capacity-building. This grant process included a two-year long journey working with the foundation and many organizations to identify the need, purpose, and ways to build capacity. Funds for this LABI College Capacity-Building grant ($1,500,000) are targeted towards college curriculum development design, institutional research and evaluation, recruitment and enrollment strategies, and our 100th year anniversary objectives.

This past week (May 5th, 2025), after a major competition, both LABI College and Latin American Theological Seminary (LATS) were each awarded a subgrant focused on capacity building. These funds were provided by a national Christian Foundation and extended to AETH and Garrett Seminary (Northwestern University) to solicit applications, oversee the review, manage, and award a select number of Hispanic Bible Institutions.

Both LABI College and LATS were selected as grant recipients and are now investing a year-long process in receiving leadership training, conference participation, and funding to help with specific capacity-building initiatives. These initiatives will include research and evaluation of Spanish program needs, Technology Investment, and ways to improve upon the teaching, reaching, and training of Hispanic pastors. President Marty Harris shared that many foundations and the federal government have been moving towards identifying the Capacity-Building needs of schools and organizations.

Dr. Harris stated- "It is important that smaller schools and bible colleges like ours have an infrastructure and systems that will survive funds being offered, strengthening our mission, goals, and objectives, while preparing the way for our preferred future.”

Some Other Grant News: Earlier this year, LABI College was invited as a collaborator (among others) to partner with Fuller Theological Seminary on a major grant possibility. This concept paper was accepted, and a revised grant application will be submitted by Fuller and considered for funding later this year. Further, Dr. Harris and his team were able to provide grant support and guidance to our Southern Pacific District (AG), National Hispanic Relations Office (AG), Nelson University (AG), Vanguard University (AG), and Teen Challenge (Texas) which led to significant grant awards for these organizations.

As always, President Harris would like to thank his LABI College grant preparation and guidance team who helped with the coordination of these and all grants (Nehemias Romero, Brianna Foley-Aguayo, Gabby Mora-Alvarez).

*Fully endorsed by the Assemblies of God, LABI College is nationally accredited (ABHE), State of California approved (BPPE), U.S. Department of Education Authorized (Title IV Financial Aid), and Federally Designated as an official Hispanic Serving Institution (Title V).