Universidad Bíblica Latinoamericana, Costa Rica

The Latin American Biblical University has one of the largest seminary campuses in the world - spanning two continents. Based in San Jose, Costa Rica, its programme of theological education is carried out in 19 Centres in 14 countries. It is widely recognized as a leading centre for theological education in Latin America and the Caribbean, preparing pastors and lay leaders for the growing Christian communities engaged in witness and service throughout the region.

The original institution that is now the UBL was founded in 1923. Since 1997, the UBL has been recognized as a university by the Costa Rican Ministry of Education. In recent decades it has been widely recognized for the creative initiatives it has taken in the development of new models of theological education. At the present time it has students and professors not only from the major mainline protestant churches, but also from a number of Roman Catholic and Pentecostal communities. It is becoming more and more ecumenical as it seeks to respond to the concrete needs of the growing number of churches and the regions with which it is now associated. At the centre of its life and growth is a model of diversified theological education which has gained the attention of educators around the world and is being adopted by a growing number of institutions.

Our students come from 14 Latin American countries and locations, normally beginning their studies at a satellite location then to receive their degree, completing their term at our San Jose campus. Degrees offered are Associates, Bachelors, and Masters degrees in Biblical Sciences and the same in Theological Sciences. We also have the IBP programme which is the non-degreed programme (Instituto Biblica Pastoral) which is a programme used in many denominations throughout Latin America and locally (in the San Jose campus we generally have many Catholic nuns who participate in this programme). In 2009 we had 150 students on our San José Campus alone. One of the photos attached is of Blanca who has come to us from Honduras, she is currently working on her thesis. Blanca has a vision problem which stems a virus contracted as a small child in Honduras. Blanca is on a scholarship which has provided her visa, a monthly allowance for food and personal items, and covers her studies. The Presbyterian Church in Honduras has also supported Blanca in her travel to Costa Rica. Two U.S. Methodist congregations have recently donated a Video-Magnifiery to Blanca to help in her vision-reading....her plans are to return to Honduras and open a Theological study site for the disabled. With her degree in hand, the machine to assist her and the financial support of the Presbyterian and Methodist churches, and with scholarships offered by the UBL to our students, the work of the Lord will continue in Honduras, providing a study site for those marginalized who may have never had the opportunity before. This is but one example of the strength and vision given by just one student scholarship at the UBL and there are many more stories like Blancas. Website: www.ubila.net