80 Years of God's Inspiration to Faith - Wisdom - Service

Eighty years ago a group of Mennonite Brethren established Pacific Bible Institute. These visionaries valued education and desired a place on the West Coast where their young adults could grow in faith and knowledge.

Eight decades later FPU stands in the shade of trees we did not plant. Countless individuals have created our rich history. We honor that past while eagerly “planting” for a fruitful future.

In this issue, we reflect on the words on our seal and in our DNA: Faithfulness – Wisdom – Service.

Many of you can attest to God’s faithfulness to FPU. “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

The Fresno Pacific Idea states: “All authentic knowledge and experience are unified under God…there is no contradiction then between the truth of revelation, of scholarly investigation and of action.” With divine curiosity we seek wisdom beyond cultural, political and religious divisions.

The motto also calls us to godly service. Menno Simons said of true evangelical faith: “It cannot lie dormant, but spreads itself out in all kinds of righteousness and fruits of love; It dies to flesh and blood, seeks, serves and fears God in its inmost soul, clothes the naked, feeds the hungry, comforts the sorrowful, aids and consoles the sad—it becomes all things to all people.”

As we honor our history, we look enthusiastically forward! This fall, we established an Esports club. Next fall we will add STUNT as an NCAA sport and, through a generous alumni donation, have refinished the track in time to host the Spring 2025 PacWest Conference Championship. We returned required College Hour (chapel) for new students in partnership with Psalmist Mission. Charlotte’s Coffee Corner has been upgraded thanks to another generous donor, as have the SCC Lounge and the amphitheater. The Dan Martin Baseball Stadium complex will soon be ready for play.

FPU remains founded on Christ. Through God’s faithfulness, the wisdom he imparts and the service he inspires, we transform our world into a place of human flourishing. Thank you for your support and prayers!