SEMINARIO BÍBLICO RÍO GRANDE is an evangelical and missionary organization that God has raised up to prepare workers for His church in Latin America. It is fundamental in its doctrine and firmly believes in the verbal inspiration and final authority of God’s Word. It seeks to serve all churches and denominations that share the same doctrine and practice.
Rio Grande Bible Institute is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation (5850 T. G. Lee Blvd., Ste. 130, Orlando, FL 32822, 407.207.0808) to grant certificates and degrees at the Associate and Baccalaureate levels.
Rio Grande Bible Institute Inc. is incorporated as a religious, nonprofit organization under the laws of the State of Texas. Its tax-deductible receipts are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service and its financial records are audited annually by an independent accounting firm. Copies of our audited financial statements are available to the public upon request. Rio Grande is accountable to the Association for Biblical Higher Education, and the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. The authorization to function in Texas is overseen by the Texas Workforce Commission.
The Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) is an accrediting agency in the United States nationally recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The ABHE is inter-denominational but requires annual affirmation of a common statement of beliefs. The association is a full member of the International Council of Evangelical Theological Education, operating under the auspices of the World Evangelical Alliance. Rio Grande Bible Institute is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation (5850 T. G. Lee Blvd., Ste. 130, Orlando, FL 32822, 407.207.0808) to grant certificates and degrees at the Associate and Baccalaureate levels.
The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) is an accreditation agency to promote fiscal integrity and sound financial practices among member organizations. It comprises over 2,000 evengelical Christian organizations which qualify for tax-exempt, nonprofit status and receive tax-deductible contributions.
Public copy of form 990 – For the year ending June 30, 2023
Audited Financial Statement – For the year ending June 30, 2023
The general doctrinal position of Rio Grande Bible Ministries may be described as adherent to the view of man’s universal depravity, his free will, and the security of the believer; dispensational in interpretation and biblically fundamental in doctrine. We hold to the pre-tribulation rapture of the saints and the fullness of the Holy Spirit as the heritage and inheritance of all believers in Christ. We do not hold the “Pentecostal” interpretation of the work of the Holy Spirit, nor tongues as the evidence of the fullness of the Spirit, nor an “experience-related” Christian life. Each worker and board member is required annually to subscribe to the Statement of Faith without mental reservations
STATEMENT (ARTICLES) OF FAITH
SECTION 1: OF THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible as originally written was verbally inspired in all its parts and is the product of Spirit-controlled men, and therefore is truth without any admixture of error. We believe the Bible to be the true center of Christian unity and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions shall be tested. II Tim. 3:16, 17; II Peter 1:19-21; Mt. 1:22; John 10:35; Isa.8:20.
SECTION 2: OF THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; infinitely glorious in holiness, and worthy of all worship, honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.Ex. 20:2; Mt. 28:19, 20; I Cor. 8:6; Rev. 4:11.
SECTION 3: OF GOD THE SON
We believe that the eternal Son of God became incarnate as the Lord Jesus Christ, who is true God and true Man, having been begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of Mary, a virgin. John 1:14; Isa. 7:14; Mt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:27,35.
SECTION 4: OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person, equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature; that He was active in the creation of the universe; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgment; that He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the Agent in the new birth; that He baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ; and that He seals, indwells, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps every believer. We also hold that believers are admonished to be filled with the Spirit. Gen. 1:1-3; Mt. 28:19; Mark 1:8; Luke 1:35; 4:14; 24:49; John 1:33; 14:16, 17, 26; 16:8-11; Acts 5:30-32; 11:16; Rom. 8:14-16,26-27; I Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 1:13-14; 5:18.
SECTION 5: OF THE DEVIL, OR SATAN
We believe in the personality of Satan, that he is the evil god of this age, that he directs and energizes all the powers of darkness, and that he is destined to the judgment of eternal justice in the lake of fire. Mt. 4:1,3; II Cor. 4:4; Rev. 20:10.
SECTION 6: OF THE CREATION
We believe the Genesis account of creation and that man came by direct creation of God and not by evolution. Gen. 1, 2; Col. 1:16, 17; John 1:3.
SECTION 7: OF THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created in innocence in the spiritual image of God, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless state, in consequence of which all men are now sinners by nature and by choice; and that, therefore, all men are under the just condemnation of God, without defense or excuse. Gen. 3:1-6; Rom. 1:18-32; 5:10-19; Eph. 2:1-3.
SECTION 8: OF THE ATONEMENT FOR SIN
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly by God’s grace through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Himself the nature of men, yet without sin; that He honored the divine law by His perfect, personal obedience, and by His death made a full and vicarious atonement for the sins of all men; that His atonement did not consist of setting men an example by His death as a martyr, but was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner’s place, the Just dying for the unjust, Christ the Lord bearing the sins of men in His own body upon the Cross; that having bodily risen from the dead, He is now seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven, and, uniting in His wonderful Person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfection, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate and an all-sufficient Savior.Isa. 53:4-7; Mt. 18:11, 28:6-7; Mark 16:6, 19; Luke 24:26, 51; John 3:16; 20:27; Acts 1:9-11; 15:11; Rom. 3:24-25; I Cor. 15:3-4; II Cor. 5:21; Phil. 2:7; I Tim. 1:5; Heb. 2:14, 17; 5:9-10; 8:6; 12:2; I John 2:1; 4:10; Rev. 3:21
SECTION 9: OF GRACE IN THE NEW CREATION
We believe that in order to be saved from the guilt and penalty of sin and to enter the Kingdom of God, the sinner must be born again of the Spirit of God; that the new birth is an instantaneous act of creation, not a process; that in the new birth the sinner dead in trespasses and sins is made a new creation, a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life as the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner beyond our comprehension solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with the Word of God, so as to secure the voluntary obedience of the sinner to the gospel; that the proper evidence of the new birth appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.John 3:3, 7-8; Acts 16:30-33; Rom. 6:23; II Cor. 5:17, 19; Eph. 2:1, 8-10; Col. 2:13; I Pet. 1:23; II Pet. 1:4.
SECTION 10: OF THE JUSTIFICATION
We believe that the great salvation blessing which Christ secures to those who believe in Him is justification, which includes the pardon of all sin and the imputation of the righteousness of Christ. This justification is given, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which man renders to God, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood. Isa. 53:11; Zech. 13:1; Acts 13:31, 38-39; Rom. 3:21-26; 5:1, 9;8:1; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7.
SECTION 11: OF THE CHURCH
Of The Local church -We believe that a local church is a congregation of born-again believers, associated by mutual faith for fellowship, edification and service; observing the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper as instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its officers are pastors or elders and deacons whose qualifications and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures; we further believe that the true mission of the Church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity. Mt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; 2:42, 47; 6:1-7; 14:23; 20:17, 28; I Cor. 11:23-32; Phil. 1:1; I Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Heb. 13:15-17; I Pet. 5:1-3.
Of The True Church -We believe that the true church consists of all believers on the Lord Jesus Christ and is the Bride of Christ which will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air at His return, Christ being the Bridegroom. I Cor. 12:12-13; I Thes. 4:13-17; Eph. 5:22-32; Rev. 19:7-9.
SECTION 12: OF THE SECURITY OF THE SAINTS
We believe that all who are truly born again are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ, having been sealed by the Spirit until the day of redemption. Eph. 1:13, 14; 4:30; John 10:28-29; Rom. 8:35-39; Phil. 1:6; Jude 1:24.
SECTION 13: OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that only those who through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His sight; while those who continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in life and after death in the everlasting felicity of the saved and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost. Gen. 18:23; Prov. 14:12; Mal. 3:18; Mt. 25:34-41; John 3:31; Rom. 6:17, 18, 23; I John 5:19; II Thes. 1:7-9.
SECTION 14: OF THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society; that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, except in things clearly opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of the conscience and the coming Prince of the kings of the earth. Ex. 18:22; 2 Sam. 23:3; Dan. 3:17-18; Mt. 22:21; Acts 4:19-20; 23:5; 5:29; Rom. 13:1-7; Titus 3:1-2; I Pet. 2:13-14.
SECTION 15: OF THE PERSONAL, VISIBLE, PRE-MILLENNIAL RETURN OF CHRIST AND REALTED EVENTS
A. We believe in the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds to rapture His church. I Thes. 4:13-18; James 5:8; Heb. 9:28.
B. We believe in the resurrection of the righteous dead. I Cor. 15:42-44,52; I Thes. 4:13-18.
C. We believe in the transformation of the bodies of the living believers in Christ at the rapture. I Cor. 15:51-53; I Thes. 4:13-18; Phil 3:20-21.
D. We believe in the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus to the earth to occupy the throne of David. 2 Sam. 7:8-16; Isa. 9:6-7; Zech. 14:4,9; Luke 1:31-33; Acts 2:29,30; 15:14-17.
E. We believe in the millennial reign of the Lord Jesus Christ. Psa. 72:8; Isa. 32:1; 11:4-5; I Cor. 15:25; Rev. 20:1-6.
SECTION 16: SUBSCRIPTION TO THE ARTICLES OF FAITH
During September each year, or as soon thereafter as practical, each Board member, Faculty and Staff member and Officer shall be required to subscribe in writing, to the official articles of Faith. Any new member of the Staff or Board shall be required to sign the Articles of Faith upon appointment.
The Rio Grande Bible Institute, Inc. was founded in 1946 by Rev. M.C. Ehlert, a Baptist pastor and evangelist, who came to the Rio Grande Valley in 1937 to do tent evangelism. He saw a great need to train Hispanic believers and new converts because there was very little Bible training available for them.
Mr. Ehlert’s vision led to the purchase of 40 acres of land in Edinburg, Texas, the heart of the lower Rio Grande Valley. The first buildings were erected and classes began in the spring of 1947. The school was unique in that it was bilingual, offering three years of comprehensive Bible training in either English or Spanish.
In 1955, the English Bible Institute was discontinued and the Spanish language school was begun in its place. Later the Bible Institute program was lengthened to four years, and more recently the one- and two-year programs were made available to college graduates.
God has prospered both schools. More than 6,000 people from mainly Latin and North America have come to study. The most recent enrollments in the Bible Institute have been in excess of 120 day students with another 20 enrolled in the Language School.
In 1999, Rio Grande was accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), but it was not until 2008 that the State of Texas recognized the accreditation, monumentally giving their certificate of authorization for the Seminario Bíblico Río Grande to grant the Bachelor in Biblical Studies degree.
Throughout the past 73 years, God has blessed Rio Grande with a forty-nine acre campus and expanded the ministry beyond its perimeters. Within the last 36 years, God has added the ministry of broadcasting through Radio Esperanza.
In 2008, the third radio station was acquired, resulting in one AM and two FM stations, with the signal reaching the lower and mid-Rio Grande Valley and deep into northern Mexico. Through the Internet, Radio Esperanza can be heard all around the world, touching lives with God’s Word.
Video Esperanza is an extension of Seminario Bíblico Río Grande through video and audio materials, making it possible for those who are unable to attend the Institute be trained in God’s Word.
In 1993, Bibleville, a non-denominational Bible Conference Center near Alamo, Texas, became the latest addition to the growing Rio Grande family. There “Winter Texans” host Bible conferences and music concerts during the winter months, and have become important prayer and ministry partners to Rio Grande Bible Ministries staff and students.
The mission of the Seminario Bíblico Río Grande is to “develop Christ-centered leaders with a biblical worldview for the global church.” An ongoing reality is that most of our enrolling students cannot afford to pay anything remotely near the actual costs of their education.
To address this reality, Rio Grande Bible Institute, Inc., right from its inception, decided that its members would be asked to depend completely on the Lord to meet their personal financial needs. The vast majority of our approximately 100 staff personnel do not receive a salary but, through deputized fund-raising, seek ministry partners who will support them financially. For this reason our Bible College ministry, for example,can continue to offer a complete education for our students at a fraction of the cost that they would have to pay if they attended any other USA-based college offering a similar type of degree.
God continues to sustain each of our Rio Grande Bible Ministries through the prayers and financial gifts of His people who share our passion for fulfilling the mission the Lord has given us.
About Our Names
Question: I’ve seen Rio Grande Bible Institute, Rio Grande Bible Ministries, and Rio Grande Bible College in your publications. What is the difference?
Answer: Yes, it can be confusing. Let us explain:
(1) Rio Grande Bible Institute (RGBI) is the historical and official name of our organization, which we will be using less often in the future.
(2) Rio Grande Bible Ministries (RGBM) is the new title that we use to indicate all the divisions and branches of our organization (Bible College, Language School, Radio Esperanza, Bibleville, etc.).
(3) Seminario Bíblico Río Grande Replaces Bible Institute and Rio Grande Bible College as the title of our main academic division.
Seminario Bíblico Río Grande is a post-secondary institution whose specific role is to prepare men and women for the service of the Lord. This definition of functions fully reflects the scope of the college as an institution of higher learning in which the Bible is central and the development of Christian life and ministry is essential. Bible college education requires that all students cover a basic core of Bible classes, general studies, and Christian service experiences; integrating the biblical worldview with daily life and learning. This allows the curriculum to fulfill the prevailing purpose of equipping students for ministry in and for the church and the world.
The Mission Statement
Seminario Bíblico Río Grande exists to develop Christ-centered leaders with a biblical worldview for the global church.
Christ-centered leaders…
- who love and obey Christ and lead others to love and serve Him
- who have a deep understanding of the Bible in its entirety
- who know biblical doctrine and accept its authority over customs and culture
- with practical application experience of the classroom-taught principles
- who understand the global scope of making disciples of all nations
- who have a willing heart to serve in any role, any place, and at any cost that God may guide. .
College Curricular Goals
The following curricular goals present how the college seeks to achieve its mission. Rio Grande seeks to educate students to embrace the values and demonstrate competency in the following areas:
Learning across the curriculum
1. Biblical Education
The student will:
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the Bible at the college level.
- Develop an understanding and practice of hermeneutics and methods of Bible study.
- Understand the process of personally studying a book of the Bible in preparation for teaching and/or preaching.
- Understand the different genres of Scripture.
- Conduct in-depth studies with several key portions of both the Old and New Testaments.
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the life of Jesus Christ.
2. Theological Studies
The student will:
- Articulate a full understanding of basic theology.
- Understand the doctrines related to each member of the Holy Trinity, inherent sin and the gift of salvation, the spirit world, and humanity.
- Accept the purpose and role of the church in the Church Age.
- Will reach a biblical understanding of the teaching of the end time.
3. General studies
The student will:
- Develop his/her ability to communicate orally and in writing.
- Appreciate the importance of basic arithmetic development.
- Gain a Christ-centered perspective on history
- Develop a solid social biblical understanding.
- Show an appropriate level of knowledge in information, language, technology, literary research, and quantitative analysis.
- Appreciate the importance of music in the worship setting.
- Show that he can make ethical decisions on a biblical basis.
- Appreciate the importance of keeping in good physical condition, making it a lifelong habit.
4. Biblical worldview
The student will:
- Understand how customs, culture, and media affect worldview.
- Appreciate the difference between absolute truth and relativism.
- Understand that the source of absolute truth is found in the Bible.
- Understand how to evaluate your worldview in light of the Bible.
- Develop the good habits of a person who constantly studies and practices the Word.
5. Character training to develop spiritual growth and individual maturity.
The student will:
- Grow in obedience to the greatest commandment.
- Understand the obligation of the Great Commission.
- Appreciate the importance and necessity of personal spiritual growth.
Program-specific goals
1. Pastoral Emphasis
The student will:
- Dedicate himself to the call that he has of being a shepherd/teacher, that of desiring to teach biblical truth to others and guide the flock.
- Possess the appropriate skills for preparation.
- Exhibit appropriate administrative skills.
- Exercise the skills necessary for the care of the members.
2. Emphasis on Christian Education
The student will:
- Make the biblical core of all education his/her own.
- Master the tools necessary for good education.
- Possess the appropriate skills for preparation.
- Exhibit a variety of presentation skills.
3. Missions Emphasis
The student will:
- Make his own the global commission that is central through the Scriptures.
- Understand how to be effective in cross-cultural communication of the Gospel.
- Have a strategic biblical approach to cross-cultural ministry.
- Have a good understanding of the historical and current reality of missions.
4. Emphasis on women´s ministries
The student will:
- Make her own the call of leadership that she has, that of wanting to teach biblical truth to others and guide them in their spiritual development.
- Possess the appropriate skills for their preparation.
- Exhibit the appropriate administrative skills.
- Exercise the skills necessary for the care of the members.
Ministry of graduates
The Seminario Biblico Rio Grande desires that graduates learn to submit to God’s call and direction in their lives, their thinking and their ministry. If we have achieved our goal adequately, we will never be concerned about the place or scope of their ministry.
The mission is located in the populous southern tip of Texas, 80 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico along the Texas-Mexico border known as the Rio Grande Valley. Edinburg is located 240 miles south of San Antonio; 350 miles south of Houston; 140 miles from Monterrey, Mexico; 600 miles from Mexico City, Mexico; and only 16 miles from Reynosa, Mexico. Edinburg is part of the fast-growing international metro area of McAllen-Mission-Edinburg. It is located in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, where more than a million people live, 87% of whom are of Hispanic origin. This enables RGBC students (in both the Bible College and Language School) to share in the linguistic and cultural advantages of this area. The pace of life is relaxed, and the people are friendly and helpful.
The Rio Grande River forms the boundary between Texas and Mexico. The river, which starts in Colorado, enters the western end of the valley near Roma and finishes the last 150 miles of its more than 1600-mile trek as it empties into the Gulf at Brownsville. The valley is one of the major citrus and vegetable producing areas of the United States. It has also been listed as one of the top birding areas in the world, with birders coming from around the world to see the many varieties of birds that are found here. The climate is semi-tropical with mild winters and hot summers.
Approximately 200,000 tourists from all across the United States and Canada make the valley their home each winter. These tourists are known as Winter Texans. South Padre Island, a short drive away, is one of the premier beaches in the United States and receives many visitors from both Mexico and the United States.
Rio Grande Bible Institute, TX, will be hosting a comprehensive accreditation visit by a team of evaluators from the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) March 7-9, 2023 to determine its compliance with the standards for accreditation. During the visit, representatives of the ABHE team will entertain comments from the public. Any members of the public interested in making a presentation regarding the College to the team should contact the College at the following telephone number (956-330-5212) or email address (rwindle@riogrande.edu) to determine a meeting time. Persons wishing to submit third party comments related to the institution may send them through the electronic form at https://abhe.formstack.com/forms/3rd_party_comment, or email coa@abhe.org, or mail ABHE Commission on Accreditation, 5850 T.G. Lee Blvd., Suite 130, Orlando, FL 32822. Persons interested in reviewing the standards for accreditation will find them on the ABHE website at abhe.org. They appear under Accreditation/Accreditation Documents/COA Manual. The institution is subject to the Institutional Accreditation Standards. .
Letter from President
“God is moving with challenging energy at Rio Grande Bible Ministries! We are witnessing a movement of the Latin American church into world missions! Training Spanish-speaking young people for taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ unto the ends of the earth is now more urgent than ever before.
Video Esperanza has begun to create an effective distance-education program that will allow Spanish speakers to be trained in their home countries rather than needing to travel great distances to find adequate education.
Our Bible College students are planting new churches, building the ministries of local churches, serving in missions all over the world, and planning, organizing, and implementing ministry opportunities of virtually every description. They will soon graduate with both passion and experience to go into every distant corner of the globe and turn this world upside down with the Gospel of salvation by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ!
Response to the ministry of Radio Esperanza is very strong! Evangelism, discipleship, encouragement, and teaching are all remarkably effective through radio. Vast numbers of listeners tune in every day to listen to our well-planned programming, and the fruit of that impact is readily visible in the communities and local churches in the ministry areas. How else could we reach two hundred thousand people every day?
How else could we reach two hundred thousand people every day? We have enjoyed many years of preparing English-speaking missionaries for service in Latin America in our Missionary Language School by teaching Spanish and Latin American culture. We are now beginning to prepare Spanish-speaking missionaries to serve in other countries, cultures, and languages!
Bibleville is a source of constant encouragement and growth. Our week-long Bible conferences, weekly music concerts, community involvement, and outreaches at local trailer parks, flea markets, and schools provide abundant ministry opportunities for the winter residents.
Come look at our site website and follow the links to discover how God is moving in our midst!”
Dr. Lawrence B. Windle
Foundational Principles
Because the Rio Grande Bible Institute Inc. is a faith mission, it is supported through the voluntary giving of God’s people. Most of its operating expenses are covered by donations. Because each staff member’s financial support comes from gifts sent in by churches and individuals, our charges can be kept to a minimum.
FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES
1. AN UNASHAMED COMMITMENT TO SCRIPTURE
RGBC holds firmly that the Holy Bible as originally written was verbally and plenarily inspired of God, and is completely reliable and without any admixture of error. The original autographs of both the Old and New Testaments are inerrant and infallible, and are the final authority for faith and practice.
2. A PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO FULFILL GOD’S CALL TO MINISTRY WITH RGBC
The basic motivation of every person at RGBC is a clear sense of God’s call to be involved in ministry here. Our motivation for service is rooted not in career advancement, position attainment, personal goals, nor financial remuneration. Rather, we are here to serve the Spanish-speaking church, in accord with our mission statement. Furthermore, faith in God’s provision to meet our personal and mission financial needs characterizes every RGBC worker, administrator, and board member. Each individual and ministry therefore assumes that God is our provider, not the mission or any officer of the mission. In view of the calling of God, each staff member is personally committed to evangelizing the lost and discipling believers into churches.
3. A COMMITMENT TO PERSONAL INTEGRITY – A WALK WORTHY OF OUR CALLING
Each individual involved with RGBC seeks to live in such a manner that the person and character of the Lord Jesus Christ can be clearly seen in all aspects of our lives. We take seriously the Scriptural admonition to be holy (1 Peter 1:15, 16) so that we can more clearly present the Gospel message to the world around us (1 Peter 2:9; 3:15, 16). Each member of the board and staff of RGBC is therefore deeply concerned about personal integrity, honesty, openness, and sensitivity to others.
4. A COMMITMENT TO COLLEGIALITY
RGBC seeks to promote the truth that all workers are equal before the Lord. Each member is called to RGBC and is thus committed to use his or her gifts to accomplish the goals of the Institute. Of necessity an organization needs levels of authority and responsibility; in such a spirit of equality it becomes easy to accept the vision and goals of spiritual leadership. As evidence of this openness before the Lord, fellow workers, and constituency, the leadership pledges to share vital principles of action, plans, and information that impact the ministry; and they will do so on a regular basis.
5. AN ORGANIZATION COMMITMENT TO THE FAITH PRINCIPLE
RGBC’s basic premise is that God’s work done in God’s way will not lack God’s support. RGBC looks to the Lord and trusts Him for the timely provision of both personnel and financial needs. We believe that God’s timely provision becomes a measure of what He wants us to do. This approach does not eliminate proper planning and making ministry opportunities known. It does, however, provide an important check regarding our motivation for our presentations for funds and personnel.
6. A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCY
RGBC exists in a unique balance between an academic institution seeking excellence and a missionary agency. It is, therefore, a member of both the Interdenominational Foreign Mission Association (IFMA) and the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE).
7. A COMMITMENT TO BEING INTERNATIONAL
Because our outlook is definitely to the church in Latin America and then the rest of the world, the Bible Institute strives to accommodate the Latin emphasis, culture and world view insofar as these are Biblical. RGBC is therefore intentionally international. We believe that this best expresses the nature of the body of Christ in the world. We believe we will be more effective as we incorporate the richness of cultural diversity in our membership.
8. A COMMITMENT TO BEING NONDENOMINATIONAL
RGBC is intentionally nondenominational so that we can minister to the wider body of Christians who share our doctrinal distinctives as set forth in our Articles of Faith. Our ability to work together in unity — whatever our personal denominational affiliation might be –makes a profound statement about our oneness in Jesus Christ (Eph 4:1-6).
9. A COMMITMENT TO THE HISPANIC CHURCH
RGBC personnel have an ongoing commitment to prepare Christian leaders for the Spanish-speaking church. We desire to produce men and women for this segment of the church who have grasped the missionary mandate of God’s Word.
10. A COMMITMENT TO OPEN ACCESS REGARDING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
RGBC is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). Any person is free to inquire and receive pertinent disclosure of how RGBC obtains its funds as well as the way they are used.