Life Pacific University is pleased to announce that it has received official and unanimous approval for associate membership with The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) for Life Pacific Seminary. This significant achievement marks a pivotal moment in LPU’s ongoing commitment to excellence in seminary and theological education.
President Angie Richey expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thanks go out to our Provost Daniel Ruarte for his partnership and visionary leadership, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, Brian Tomhave, our dedicated faculty members, and our liaison, Director of ATS Accreditation and Church Historian, Valerie Rempel.”
Dr. Daniel Ruarte, Provost of Life Pacific University, celebrated this achievement, stating, “What an honor to be part of a historic moment at LPU, officially receiving ATS Associate Membership for our recently launched seminary. In our 100+ years, we’ve achieved such distinction only twice before—in the 80s with ABHE accreditation and in the 2000s with WASC accreditation. Now in 2024, we experience it once again, as we work towards full accreditation with ATS, the gold standard for seminary programs. This milestone aligns with our vision to be recognized worldwide as a premier Pentecostal institution characterized by a diverse community of Spirit-empowered students, scholars, and practitioners whose hearts and minds are devoted to Christ and His Kingdom.”
LPU is eager to join this esteemed community and strives for excellence in seminary and theological education. More importantly, LPU is dedicated to developing Christian leaders who are sound, solid, healthy, Spirit-empowered, and energized—equipping them to serve the Lord effectively in the church, the workplace, and the world.
Frank Yamada, Executive Director of ATS, welcomed LPU warmly, stating, “The Association is a membership organization of more than 270 graduate schools in the United States and Canada, including the ten schools newly elected at this year’s ATS/COA Biennial Meeting—I am thrilled your school is among them.”
Valerie Rempel, Director of ATS Accreditation and LPU’s liaison, added, “Life Pacific University Seminary has demonstrated its alignment with the values and commitment of ATS member schools to provide quality theological education for the benefit of communities of faith and the broader public. It’s a delight to welcome LPU Seminary to associate membership.”
For more information about The Association of Theological Schools and its mission, please visit https://www.ats.edu/.
We are thrilled for the future opportunities that await the Life Pacific Seminary through ATS and for the doors that God has opened to continue to advance our mission to develop students into leaders prepared to serve God in the Church, the workplace, and the world.
