History

Education, together with evangelism, became the focal point of Iglesia Evangelica Metodista En Las Islas Filipinas (IEMELIF) since its inception in 1909. Christian education among its members was done through the holding of Sunday Schools and Bible Studies. The education of the church workers was also pursued because the IEMELIF leaders believed in the vital role it plays in the growth and strengthening of the church.

On February 28, 1947, the IEMELIF Ministerial and Lay Workers Institute was founded. The training lasted for eight weeks during the summer months at the IEMELIF Cathedral in Tondo, Manila. The academic requirement for pastors and lay workers was three years. The succeeding years saw the coming of men and women called by God, ready to be trained in the Bible Institute. Classes were held during vacation periods.

Twenty-three years later after the school was founded, on February 28, 1970, the General Conference upheld a resolution to make the Institute an autonomous body. It was granted a charter to govern its administration. The charter led to the creation of the school’s first Board of Trustees.

In 1985, Beulah Land IEMELIF Center in Marytown Circle, Greenfields 1 Subdivision, Novaliches, Quezon City became the permanent home of the Bible School which from that point started to be known as the IEMELIF Bible Institute (IBI). The training of the IEMELIF workers was temporarily halted to give way to the missionary training of the church in 1986. In its place, the “Training of the 600” was held. This lasted for two years.

The IEMELIF General Conference in February 1989 voted for the reopening of the Bible Institute. This materialized on October 2 of the same year.

A revision of the curriculum was done in 1990. This was inspired by the school’s desire to offer degree courses in Theology, Christian Education, and Music. On June 18, 1990, the Bible Institute was named IEMELIF BIBLE COLLEGE (IBC).

What appeared to be a smooth-sailing journey for the school eventually was put to a stop in 1992. A separation in the church resulted in the school being held in two different locations. Those who remained with IEMELIF went on with their training at the IEMELIF BIBLE COLLEGE. The years that followed saw the influx of men and women wanting to be trained as IEMELIF workers.

Through God’s leading and His sustaining grace, the IEMELIF BIBLE COLLEGE is indeed blessed and empowered because of the following committed and competent men and women, who, in God’s time, received their remarkable undertakings as the Presidents of the aforesaid theological institution:

1990 - 1992 – Rev. Mario Bautista
1992 - 1993 – Rev. Dr. Jesus T. Camacho
1993 - 2005 – Dr. Zenaida B. Domingo
2005 - 2007 – Rev. Dr. Jaime O. Pante
2007 - 2008 – Prof. Mercedes B. Kimwell
2008 - 2010 – Rev. Dr. Elmer Berne U. Mabalay
2010 - 2014 – Rev. Amando A. Villao
2014 - 2015 – Rev. Dr. Jaime O. Pante
2015 - 2020 – Deac. Dorcas Grace SP. Bringula
2020 - 2021 – Pred. Juliana M. Acuña
2021 - Present – Rev. Dr. Jaime O. Pante

Another feather was added to the school’s cap in June 2015. A partnership between IBC and the Union Theological Seminary in Silang, Cavite has ensued. UTS and IBC started to offer Master of Divinity (Hybrid Program) exclusively for all IBC alumni who were able to accumulate 185 units of a bachelor’s degree in school (Pastoral Studies and Christian Education).

On June 21, 2016, the school moved to its new building- the Bishop Nicholas Zamora Centenary Leadership Center (BNZCLC). It was a dream come true, an answered prayer. After many years of not having its own school building, finally, it now has a place it can call its own.

The school year 2016-2017 also saw the automation of the school library system. It is now equipped with OPAC (Online Public Access).

The school has been a helpful partner of the church in the fulfillment of its ministry. To date, sixty-five (65%) of the pastors and deaconesses the church has are products of the Instituto Ministerial at Layko (IML)/IEMELIF Bible Institute (IBI)/IEMELIF BIBLE COLLEGE (IBC). Two (2) General Superintendents we have, namely, Bishop Nathanael P. Lazaro and Bishop Noel M. Abiog, also came from the school. Talk about faithfulness and longevity in the ministry, IEMELIF can boast of the most devoted and loyal workers in the ministry who all came from the Bible School.

Last December 2015, IEMELIF BIBLE COLLEGE launched the I LOVE IBC. It is a partnership program of IBC and PRASIA that encourages IEMELIF members to support the IEMELIF BIBLE COLLEGE in training and equipping church workers and laypeople. I LOVE IBC is a fund-raising program that consistently generates funds for the scholarship grants and IBC facilities.

Moreover, IEMELIF BIBLE COLLEGE is blessed because God tapped Dr. Normita B. Gorospe to be the BOT Chairperson. Together with other BOT members, Dr. Gorospe has supported the undertakings of Deac. Dorcas Grace SP. Bringula and her colleagues.

Last Academic Year 2018-2019, the Philippine Association of Bible and Theological Schools (PABATS) granted the Accreditation to IBC. Praise the Lord! IBC is now an officially accredited member of PABATS.

Last January 31, 2020, the Association for Theological Education in South East Asia (ATESEA) granted the Accreditation to the Baccalaureate Program of the educational arm of the IEMELIF Church. Another endeavor is granted! Praise the Lord!

Years ago, all these were just dreams, wishes, and plans. Now, by the grace of God, they are being realized one after the other. Praise be to God! With all these blessings from Him, let us keep the TORCH burning for the greater glory of God.

Vision, Mission, and Core Values

Vision

The IBC is committed to:

Produce honest and faithful graduates who can be effective church workers in various ministries
Provide contextualized theological education that preserves the rich heritage of the Wesleyan tradition, and celebrates the Nicolas Zamora legacy;
Pursue the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20) and the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:36- 37).

Mission

Educate, equip, and empower students for intentional, missional, transformational, and relevant church ministries.

Core Values

INTEGRITY

We value:

Life with integrity as Christ's servants characterized by being reliable, trustworthy, and personally accountable maintaining exemplary Christian character always.
Life of selfless and sacrificial service patterned after Christ's model.
Life of compassionate service to the people and society and to the wider world upholding peace, justice, and mercy.

WISDOM

We value:

Sound and relevant curriculum anchored on the authority and truthfulness of the Scriptures.
All efforts in the pursuit of excellence, all for the glory of God.
Academic programs and school undertakings as avenues of imparting wisdom and competencies with the firm conviction that the Source of True Wisdom is God Himself.

COMPASSION

We value:

Education that is contextual and relevant to the contemporary issues and situations of the people and society.
Education that will empower people to be effective instruments as God's prophetic voice amidst societies' brokenness.
Education will revitalize and propel the church to address ecological and environmental issues, justice, and peace problems promoting unity and harmony as the church moves in its faith journey.

Board of Trustees

Chairman: Pred. Juliana M. Acuña

Vice-Chairman: Dr. Guillermo Q. Roman, Jr.

Secretary: Rev. Juanito S. Ocampo Jr.

Members:

Dr. Guillermo Q. Roman

Mrs. Elizabeth B. Cristobal

Mrs. Orpha M. Noveno

Dr. Unida B. Cruz

Pred. Fredie Pajarillaga Sr., Ministro ng Kagawaran ng Aria-arian at Pangkabuhayan

Rev. Leonides S. Domingo, Ministro ng Kagawaran ng Ordinadong Manggagawa at Manggagawang Layko

Rev. Jonathan D. Gianan, Ministro ng Kagawaran ng Gawaing Panlayko

Pred. Leah Mabel M. Faustino, Ministro ng Kagawaran ng Church Human Resources

Rev. Juanito S. Ocampo, Jr., Pangulo ng IBC, Alumni Association

Rev. Dr. Arvin G. Guinto, Ministro ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon Cristiana

Rev. Dr. Jaime O. Pante, ex-Officio

Administration

President: Rev. Dr. Jaime O. Pante

Academic Dean: Rev. Dr. Arvin G. Guinto

Graduate Program Director: Rev. Dr. Jaime O. Pante

Dean of Student Affairs: Rev. Dr. Jaime O. Pante

Registrar: Deac. Roussel Q. De Guzman

Business Manager: Mrs. Joy Krishna A. Mugas

Support Personnel

Guidance Counselor: Rev. Bryan Chester P. Cruz

Library Clerk: Ms. Maria Marife B. Napolitano

Bookkeeper: Mrs. Gloria S. Jamolangue

Resident Supervisor: Mr. Nimrod M. Quezon