Latin American Bible Institutes (Texas and California)
Antoinette Aguirre
Biblical foundation in a cultural context

Antoinette Aguirre, 23, says God has called her to plant a Spanish church. And she credits her three years at Latin American Bible Institute in San Antonio for playing a large role in preparing her for a life of ministry. More than 100 enrolled students each year choose to study for the ministry at LABI-Texas, not only for the quality of a bilingual education — students at LABI come from a variety of Spanish-speaking countries — but for the camaraderie that forges lifelong friendships.

“Interacting with people is what ministry is about,” says Aguirre from her hometown of Fort Collins, Colo., who recently completed her three-year diploma at LABI. “But I also got a solid biblical foundation from my professors.”

Isaac Canales, president of LABI in La Puente, Calif., agrees.

“LABI provides an education for people from Hispanic heritage in a cultural context that graduates them with confidence,” Canales says, noting missions trips to Latin America allow his students to minister in their native tongue.

Both LABI schools offer three-year diplomas, with classes offered in Spanish and English. LABI-California also offers a bachelor of theology degree. Other Assemblies of God colleges accept credits earned at LABI.

“God wants Hispanics to succeed,” says Aguirre, who is now attending Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas, to obtain her bachelor’s degree in counseling psychology. “And we can; it’s up to us.”

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