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 The Hicks Center | |
Former names | Echo Park Evangelistic and Missionary Training Institute (1923–1926) LIFE Bible College (1926–2000s) Life Pacific College (2000s–2019) |
|---|---|
| Type | PrivateBible college |
| Established | 1923 (1923) |
Religious affiliation | International Church of the Foursquare Gospel |
| President | Angie Richey |
| Provost | Daniel Ruarte |
| Location | , U.S. 34°05′57″N117°49′44″W / 34.0993°N 117.8290°W /34.0993; -117.8290 |
| Colors | Navy Blue & Gold |
| Nickname | Warriors |
Sporting affiliations | NAIA –GSAC |
| Website | lifepacific |
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Life Pacific University (LPU) is aprivate ChristianBible college endorsed by theInternational Church of the Foursquare Gospel and located inSan Dimas, California. LPU serves as the denomination's flagship institution for higher education.
What is now Life Pacific University was founded in 1923 as Echo Park Evangelistic and Missionary Training Institute byAimee Semple McPherson inEcho Park, Los Angeles, California.[1] The name was changed to LIFE Bible College (LIFE standing for Lighthouse of International Foursquare Evangelism) in 1926 when it moved into a newly constructed five-story complex next door toAngelus Temple. In 1990 the college relocated to its current home inSan Dimas, California. In the early 2000s the name Life Pacific College was adopted and in 2019 the institution was renamed and restructured as Life Pacific University with the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Theology and Ministry.
In 1957, inMount Vernon, Ohio, sister college Mount Vernon Bible College was founded, relocating toChristiansburg, Virginia in the 1980s. The name was changed to LIFE Bible College East in 1988. In 2003 LIFE East closed for financial reasons and its records were transferred to Life Pacific. Life Pacific now operates LPU Virginia as an extension campus at the former LIFE Bible College East property.
In 2019, it became Life Pacific University.[2] It was granted an exception toTitle IX in 2017 which allows it to legally discriminate againstLGBT students for religious reasons.[3]
The institution has had eleven presidents serve since its founding in 1923. They are Aimee Semple McPherson, Rolf K. McPherson, Nathaniel M. Van Cleave, Jack W. Hayford, Jack Hamilton, Ron Mehl, Dick Scott, Dan Stewart, Robert Flores, Jim J. Adams, and the current president, Angie Richey.
LPU is accredited by theAssociation for Biblical Higher Education and theWASC Senior College and University Commission. In 2024, the LPU Seminary was granted associate membership in the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). It is an affiliate member of theCouncil for Christian Colleges and Universities. LPU also holds membership in theNational Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU), and many other professional higher education associations and societies.
Alumni have played a significant role not only within the Foursquare Church but also within theAssemblies of God,Calvary Chapel, and theVineyard movement. LPU's graduates include pastorsJack Hayford,Chuck Smith,Ronald D. Mehl, Ralph Moore, Ricky Temple, Jim Tolle,Chad Veach, Irene Poupore, Randy Remington,Andraé Crouch,[4] and thelate African Americanactor, pastor and academicOtis Young.[citation needed]
The Life Pacific athletic teams are called the Warriors. The university is a member of theNational Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in theGolden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) since the 2017–18 academic year. They were also a member of theNational Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), primarily competing as an independent in the West Region of the Division I level.
Life Pacific competes in six intercollegiate varsity sports. Men's sports include basketball and soccer; women's sports include basketball, soccer, volleyball, and beach volleyball.
