Sri Lankan Church greatly impacted by this partner seminary

Founded in 1970, Lanka Bible College and Seminary (LBCS) is a premier theological training institute in Sri Lanka. The interdenominational seminary’s student body represents over 40 different denominations and draws students from all parts of the country and abroad. Academically qualified professionals, such as doctors, lawyer and engineers, are also represented in the student body. LBCS offers many degrees in areas such as education, theology, art, holistic child development and divinity.

LBCS has a major impact on the Church in Sri Lanka. Most of the students serve in war torn and tsunami affected areas, amidst persecution and threats. Besides the LBCS Center for Graduate Studies in Dehiwala, the seminary has 21 extension centers around the country with plans for more to help grow the Sri Lankan Church. Curriculum is developed around meeting the needs and challenges of Sri Lankan contextual realities such as AIDS. LBCS holds quarterly pastors’ conferences, seminars on Theology of Persecution and part-time courses for church workers.

LBCS was recognized in the January 2005 Christianity Today issue for the local relief efforts they coordinated in the area after the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami left Indonesia seriously affected. Victims were provided food, medicine and house rebuilding.

Coming from a war-torn area himself, Diploma in Theology student Murugesu Neethiyarajah Titus now feels a calling from the Lord to serve among displaced refugees in his village and other war areas. “The knowledge I am gaining is something of which I had never dreamed,” he says. “The teaching at LBCS has enlightened me to the deeper truths in the Bible…My ministry is molding me into a different person, and I am learning day by day the importance of serving the Lord and the spiritual need that exists in our society.”