Contents
Heritage
 Life Pacific College, formerly L.I.F.E. Bible College, was born in the midst of a revival. In 1923, Aimee Semple McPherson, an evangelist, established a training center to equip men and women to become the evangelists, missionaries, pastors and teachers so desperately needed to bring people to Christ and to establish people in God’s Word. Because she recognized the need for laborers to reap and nurture the harvest of souls, she opened The Lighthouse of International Foursquare Evangelism, L.I.F.E. Bible College, an interdenominational Bible institute, dedicated to international evangelism. Both current students and alumni continue to embrace the heritage of L.I.F.E. Bible College.
The College thrives today as a testimony to her obedience to Christ's command: "Go therefore and teach all nations..." LIFE has grown from a two-year institute to one of the major Pentecostal/Charismatic Bible colleges. We continue our solid commitment to the evangelical Pentecostal message. For over 75 years Life Pacific College has offered the finest in training and equipping for ministry-centered education in the Word of God and the life-giving testimony of Jesus Christ.
Leadership
 As a Bible college, LIFE's historic and continuing mission relates to the training and education of persons entering the ministry. The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel (ICFG) has experienced remarkable growth through the latter three-fourths of the century, with LIFE playing a crucial role in its development. There are now about 2.9 million Foursquare members in ninety-nine countries, meeting in nearly 25,000 churches. As a contemporary and progressive Bible college, LIFE seeks to support the education and training of men and women in the Foursquare church and elsewhere. The college seeks to improve the provision of ministry fields relevant to the 21st century church including specializations in areas of pastoral ministry, biblical languages, youth, education, worship and cross-cultural ministry. College founder Aimee Semple McPherson served as the first president. Dr. Rolf K. McPherson succeeded her upon her unexpected death in 1944. It was evident from the early days that the college required a chief operating officer to oversee day-to-day operations. Dr. William Black served briefly as the first dean of the college. Rev. Harriet Jordan served capably as dean until 1937 when noted Foursquare pastor Watson B. Teaford was appointed. When Dr. Teaford assumed the pastorate of Angelus Temple, Dr. Clarence E. Hall, then chief executive of Foursquare's Canadian Bible college, was appointed and served for twenty years.
After 1944
In 1973 the college began the transition to an on-site chief executive officer. Dr. Donald McGregor was appointed as the college's first and only executive director. Then, in 1976 longtime Foursquare scholar and historian Dr. N. M. Van Cleave was inaugurated as the college's first on-site president, with Dr. Rolf K. McPherson continuing in office as president of the Board of Trustees. Prominent pastor and author Dr. Jack W. Hayford, an alumni and long-time supporter of the college, served as the next president (1977- 1982), succeeded by Dr. Jack E. Hamilton (1982-1992), the then-current president of the LIFE Alumni Association and a Foursquare senior pastor in Santa Maria, California. It was under Dr. Hamilton's able leadership that the college relocated to the present campus.
Transitions
 Upon Dr. Hamilton's resignation, the Board of Regents called upon Dr. Ron Mehl to serve as interim president in 1992. At that time Dr. Dick Scott assumed the day-to-day operations role of executive vice president, then was inaugurated as LIFE's seventh president in 1994. President Scott's wide-ranging background and experience as a minister, linguist, missionary and administrator enabled his proficient leadership at L.I.F.E. Bible College. His interest in and knowledge of computer technology and building improvements led to sweeping changes in the college's technology infrastructure and facilities. Under Dr. Scott’s leadership new dorms and the Hicks Student Center were built, and a number of improvements were made to the landscaping and existing buildings, making the college a wonderful environment for students to grow and flourish. Also during his tenure, the college pursued regional accreditation with WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) and the name was changed to Life Pacific College; however, our mission remains the same, to advance the Kingdom of God through teaching and education. Following Dr. Scott’s resignation─after ten years of excellent service─Rev. Dan R. Stewart became president. To read about President Stewart, click here.
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