Guam
"The Hub of the Pacific,"
Guam is the most developed island in the region.
Following U.S. occupation after World War II, it remains
an unincorporated United States territory. Guam continues
to remain vital to the U.S. as a military base. Its main
industry is tourism, primarily vacationers from Japan
seeking a comparatively inexpensive tropical experience.
Guam has a very diverse population. About
half of the inhabitants are Chamorros (natives of Guam and the Marianas
Islands) and Micronesians from different island states. More than 30%
of the population comes from Asia – China, Japan, Korea, and the
Philippines. The rest comes from the US. Even a few Europeans have found
a home on Guam.
Culturally, Guam is a fascinating mix of Micronesian, European,
American, and Asian cultures. Under Spanish rule for more than 300 years
prior to 1900, Spanish and Roman Catholic influences are still very evident.
In recent years the native Chamorro population has fought hard to retain
their identity amid the influence of America and Asia.
In spite of Liebenzell's long history in Micronesia (1906 in Chuuk, 1929 in Palau), an active ministry did not begin here until the 1960s. For about 20 years, Guam served primarily as a "supply depot" for missionaries spread throughout the Pacific.
As churches throughout Micronesia began to grow, the practice of sending pastoral
candidates outside of Micronesia for training was not working. In the
mid-seventies church and mission leaders organized two Bible institutes:
in Chuuk, the Micronesian Institute of Biblical Studies (MIBS), and in
the Marshall Islands, the Marshalls Theological College. As the following
years solidified Guam as an important hub of life in Micronesia, it seemed
natural that a theological scholastic center be established there. In
1991 Pacific Islands
Bible College (PIBC) was founded, using rented facilities on Guam, the
former MIBS campus in Chuuk and several extension locations.
Today Guam serves as the "hub" of Liebenzell's work in Micronesia. On-going ministry in the Republic of Palau, in Chuuk and Yap states of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), as well as short-term projects in the Marshall Islands and the Northern Marianas, radiates out from Guam, which truly lives up to its "hub" nickname.
The centerpiece of Liebenzell's work in
this region is PIBC. A three-acre permanent campus was
purchased in 1998, housing classrooms, men's and women's
dormitories, a fully functional library, offices and
guest apartments. The school is accredited through the
Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and
Schools (TRACCS).
For the fall semester of 2006, PIBC had over 150 full- and 60 part-time students on two campuses in Guam and on Tol Island in Chuuk, FSM. The College also operates three Remote Teaching Facilities in Palau, Yap and Chuuk. The campus in Chuuk was started in the 1970s as the "Micronesian Institute of Biblical Studies". With the opening of a Guam site in 1991, the two institutions were combined to form PIBC.
Four studies tracks are presently offered, all in Biblical Studies: the Certificate and Diploma programs are strictly Bible and Theology programs. The Associate Arts and Bachelor of Arts programs in Biblical Studies also include a required General Education segment.
PIBC is committed to respond to the
increasingly quick pace of development in Micronesia and
beyond, and continues to provide a quality Christian
education while serving the growing international church
population of the region.
The school's motto is "Building Servant Leaders", reflecting the strategy of ministry in Micronesia. Although there are a few small, lightly populated "outer islands" which remain unreached with the Gospel, the days of pioneer evangelism and church planting are long gone. PIBC aims to train Micronesians for positions of leadership within the church, education and government. Since its founding, PIBC has sent about 250 graduates to make an impact for Christ, serving churches and communities throughout Micronesia.
Because many Micronesians migrate to Guam in search of jobs and education, it is also home to congregations of Liebenzell-founded partner churches: the Evangelical Church of Chuuk (ECC), the Palauan Evangelical Church (PEC), and the Yap Evangelical Church (YEC). PIBC students from these islands generally become involved in these churches, providing valuable hands-on ministry experience.
Ministry Needs:
• A librarian for
Pacific Islands Bible College (a Master's degree in
Library Sciences is preferred)
• Instructors
(Master's degree minimum) for one semester or short-term
summer class offerings
• A maintenance supervisor for the Chuuk campus; some short-term help from a small and diesel engine mechanic would also be wlcome
Prayer Requests:
• Students and
teachers at Pacific Islands Bible College
• Renewal among
nominal Christians
• National evangelists
for the islands
Recent News:
• PIBC Days (19 Mar., 08)
• PIBC Students in Summer Missions (13 May, 08)