The Instituto Bíblico Nazareno (Nazarene Bible Institute, IBN in Spanish), located in the city of Cobán, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, celebrated one hundred years of history and service to the Church of the Nazarene. IBN has the vision and the mission to prepare men and women who have received the Lord’s call to pastoral ministry.
From May 7th to 13th of this year, IBN celebrated with different activities such as races, photographic expositions, a light show, sports competitions, dinners, and others.
IBN serves 7 districts in Guatemala which are located in the northern region of the country, in the departments of Alta Verapaz, Izabal, and Quiché. The church in these 7 districts has 429 church congregations and 154 missions; 57,524 members in full communion, and 10,219 associated members.
It should also be mentioned that the school has had an increase in enrollment this year. The report indicates that there are 508 students (an increase of 52% compared to the previous year’s statistics), and the program is directly associated with ETED (Decentralized Theological Education Program). By agreement with the Seminario Teológico Nazareno (Nazarene Theological Seminary) in Guatemala City, IBN offers both bachelors and professorship programs. Every program is taught in different modalities: night, weekend, 3i (one week intensive each month), and decentralized.
IBN began as a primary school in 1921, under the name Colegio Bíblico Nazareno (Nazarene Bible School), founded by missionary Eugenia Phillips. It was also an extension of Pasadena University (now Point Loma Nazarene University). Sister Phillips was a graduate of this university. In 1923 the school’s direction changed as it became an institution of theological education to prepare those called into pastoral ministry.
“The Mesoamerica Regional office, the Regional Office of Theological Education, and the different sister theological institutions in Mesoamérica, join in celebrating and congratulating IBN for arriving at one hundred years of service to the Church of the Nazarene in Guatemala,” said Rev. Jorge Baños, Education regional coordinator. “God bless the present and future of this glorious institution, its director, Gregorio Maas Ico, its team of workers, council, teaching staff, and student body.”
“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister”(Hebrews 6:10 NKJV).
Source: Rev.Jorge Baños, Mesoamerica Region Education Coordinator, Church of the Nazarene
