Life Pacific University 
The information on this page was last updated 2/29/2024. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
LPU is a WSCUC and ABHE accredited university located in San Dimas, California. LPU is ranked amongst the top 10 regional colleges in the west for social mobility! At LPU we help you become a leader who will serve God! The university has been educating leaders since 1923 and enrolls nearly 700 students in traditional undergraduate, non-traditional, and graduate programs. The university offers NAIA intercollegiate athletics and dynamic degrees in business, ministry, biblical studies, communication, human development and psychology, worship arts and media, and strategic leadership all taught from a spirit-filled, pentecostal perspective.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Life Pacific University
1100 West Covina Boulevard
San Dimas, CA 91773
Website: lifepacific.edu
Phone: 877-886-5433
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 951684068
CEO/President: Dr. Angie Richey, Ph.D.
Chairman: Michael Whyte, Ph.D.
Board size: 18
Founder: Aimee Semple McPherson
Ruling year: 1948
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 2000
Purpose
Life Pacific University will be recognized worldwide as a premier pentecostal institution, within the Foursquare tradition, characterized by a diverse community of Spirit-empowered students, scholars, and practitioners whose hearts and minds are devoted to Christ and His Kingdom.
Mission statement
Life Pacific University is an institution of biblical higher education existing for the transformational development of students into leaders prepared to serve God in the Church, the workplace, and the world.
Statement of faith
We believe in biblical truth and affirm the supremacy of Christ in all areas of life. These beliefs exist at the core of who we are.
The Holy Scriptures - We believe that the Bible is God-inspired (2 Tim. 3:16, 17).
The Eternal Godhead - We believe that God is Triune: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14).
The Creation of Humankind - We believe God created humankind, male and female, in his image and likeness; therefore, each human life is sacred possessing dignity, worth, and purpose (Genesis 1:27; 2:18-22).
The Fall Of Humankind - We believe that humankind is created in the image of God but, by voluntary disobedience, fell from perfection-thereby imbuing humanity with sinfulness (Rom. 5:12).
THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION - We believe that, while we were sinners, Christ died for us-pardoning all who believe in Him (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8).
Salvation Through Grace - We believe that we receive salvation when we come to God through faith in the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. Salvation is God's gift to us (Eph. 2:8).
Repentance and Acceptance - We believe that, upon sincere repentance and a wholehearted acceptance of Christ, we are justified before God (Rom. 10:8-10; 1 John 1:9)
The New Birth - We believe that a genuine change takes place in people who accept Christ as Savior; believers allow Christ's life to be lived through them (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 2:20).
Daily Christian Living - We believe that it is the will of God for believers to walk in progressive sanctification, growing continuously in the faith (Heb. 6:1).
Water Baptism & The Lord's Supper - We believe that baptism by immersion in water is an outward sign of an inward work (Matt. 28:19; Rom. 6:4). We believe in commemorating the Lord's Supper by the symbolic use of bread and fruit of the vine (1 Cor. 11:24, 25).
Baptism With the Holy Spirit - We believe that baptism with the Holy Spirit empowers believers, and that the Holy Spirit's incoming follows the same pattern that is described in the New Testament (Acts 2:4).
The Spirit-Filled Life - We believe that it is the will of God that we daily walk in the power of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30-32)
The Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit - We believe that the Holy Spirit has gifts to bestow upon Christians (1 Cor. 12:1-11) and that we should show spiritual fruit as evidence of a Spirit-filled life (Gal. 5:22-25).
Moderation - We believe that people who follow Christ should avoid the extremes of fanaticism and pursue lives of balance and moderation, demonstrating gentleness and patience (Phil. 4:5, KJV; Col. 3:12, 13).
Divine Healing - We believe that divine healing is the power of Christ to heal the sick in answer to prayer offered in faith (Jas. 5:14-16).
The Second Coming of Christ - We believe that the second coming of Christ is personal and imminent (1 Thess. 4:16, 17; Titus 2:11- 13)
The Final Judgment - We believe every person will one day stand before the judgment seat of Christ to receive eternal life or death (Rev. 20:11-15; Heb. 9:27; 2 Cor. 5:10).
Heaven - We believe that heaven is the glorious eternal home of born-again believers (John 14:1-3; Rev. 7:15-17).
Hell - We believe that hell is the place of eternal torment for all who reject Christ as Savior (Rev. 20:11-15).
Evangelism - We believe that the church's primary responsibilities are taking the gospel to the entire world and making disciples (Mark 16:15; Matt. 28:19-20)
Church Relationship - We believe that followers of Christ have a sacred duty to identify with the visible church of Jesus Christ and should meet regularly with fellow believers (Heb. 10:24, 25).
Tithes and Offerings - We believe the method ordained by God for the support and spread of His cause is giving tithes and offerings (Mal. 3:10; 2 Cor. 9:7)
Civil Government - We believe that laws and ordinances come from God's ultimate authority and should be upheld, except when they are in opposition to the revealed will of God (Rom. 13:1-5).
Marriage - We believe marriage is the permanent, exclusive, legally-binding, covenantal relationship between one man and one woman, established by God for the welfare and happiness of humankind, to mirror his love for us in Christ, to refine our character, to allow for joyful participation with God in the creative process through procreation, to secure the stability necessary for the nurture of children produced by the marital union, and to reflect the unity of the triune God (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:3-8).
Gender - We believe God created humans asabiologically-sexed (male and female) pair, in biological sex at birth as a core distinction between males and females, and an individual's sex at birth as the determiningfactor for gender identity (Gen. 1:26-27; Matt. 19:4; Mark. 10:6).
Humankind's Purpose and Vocation - We believe God's purposes for human beings are set forth in the Scriptures and by faith in His Son through the power and grace of the Spirit, and that this calling must be freely chosen and lived out. We believe denying and living outside of God's purposes leads to self-deception, sin, and idolatry obscuring one's own dignity and disregarding the dignity of others (Rom. 1:18-22).
The Sanctity and Value of Life - We believe in the sanctity of life and the God-given right of each person to live out his or her full life from conception to natural death (Psalm 139:13-14). We believe all forms of abuse, slander, dehumanization, or oppression toward fellow human beings is an affront against God's sacred image and to God's purposes (Ja. 3:9-10) and enjoins us to respond with love, truth, and grace (Matt. 18:15-20; Gal. 6:1).
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
D
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Colleges/Universities
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 750 of 1106 | 98 of 129 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 324 of 1107 | 35 of 129 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 964 of 1107 | 108 of 129 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 701 of 1106 | 96 of 129 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 10% | 7% | 23% | 37% | 41% | 40% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 4% | 7% | 12% | 12% | 13% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 22% | 52% | 30% | 33% | 30% | 31% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 2% | 4% | 6% | 11% | 11% | 12% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 78% | 48% | 70% | 67% | 70% | 69% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 72% | 82% | 65% | 65% | 56% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 96% | 86% | 123% | 109% | 110% | 107% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 78% | 62% | 101% | 71% | 71% | 60% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 4% | 14% | -23% | -9% | -10% | -7% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 5% | 7% | -8% | -3% | -3% | -2% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 13% | 24% | 12% | 24% | 24% | 32% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.51 | 0.39 | 0.42 | 0.36 | 0.33 | 0.30 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.64 | 3.13 | 3.11 | 2.46 | 2.56 | 2.61 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.40 | 1.23 | 1.31 | 0.87 | 0.85 | 0.79 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 8.60 | 11.30 | 12.63 | 21.70 | 21.86 | 22.72 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.12 | 0.09 | 0.08 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.04 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 7.34 | 8.90 | 8.42 | 13.11 | 13.55 | 14.59 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 24% | 4% | 4% | 2% | 2% | 2% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 11% | 1% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 151% | 246% | 229% | 276% | 298% | 326% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Cash | $1,942,570 | $581,365 | $1,370,154 | $1,068,846 | $2,276,128 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $1,841,459 | $970,855 | $1,604,286 | $1,532,914 | $1,344,405 |
| Short-term investments | $5,785,531 | $7,413,791 | $9,023,542 | $9,150,571 | $8,130,039 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $9,569,560 | $8,966,011 | $11,997,982 | $11,752,331 | $11,750,572 |
| Long-term investments | $2,784,489 | $3,138,919 | $2,886,767 | $2,937,906 | $2,989,045 |
| Fixed assets | $15,553,548 | $15,770,985 | $14,580,589 | $14,645,799 | $14,331,719 |
| Other long-term assets | $2,061,632 | $47,888 | $0 | $783,000 | $1,570,440 |
| Total long-term assets | $20,399,669 | $18,957,792 | $17,467,356 | $18,366,705 | $18,891,204 |
| Total assets | $29,969,229 | $27,923,803 | $29,465,338 | $30,119,036 | $30,641,776 |
| Liabilities | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $523,678 | $622,030 | $463,320 | $450,109 | $397,403 |
| Other current liabilities | $323,130 | $88,070 | $89,686 | $87,473 | $119,831 |
| Total current liabilities | $846,808 | $710,100 | $553,006 | $537,582 | $517,234 |
| Debt | $224,541 | $293,606 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $224,541 | $293,606 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $1,071,349 | $1,003,706 | $553,006 | $537,582 | $517,234 |
| Net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Without donor restrictions | $22,164,826 | $22,996,768 | $24,140,232 | $24,342,077 | $24,322,026 |
| With donor restrictions | $6,733,054 | $3,923,329 | $4,772,100 | $5,239,377 | $5,802,516 |
| Net assets | $28,897,880 | $26,920,097 | $28,912,332 | $29,581,454 | $30,124,542 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Total contributions | $7,178,693 | $2,892,442 | $3,179,199 | $2,702,055 | $2,718,340 |
| Program service revenue | $6,098,220 | $5,966,383 | $5,796,794 | $5,740,472 | $5,413,739 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $298,780 | $362,135 | $437,318 | $431,387 | $354,188 |
| Other revenue | $109,538 | $361,518 | $179,863 | $170,171 | $153,735 |
| Total other revenue | $6,506,538 | $6,690,036 | $6,413,975 | $6,342,030 | $5,921,662 |
| Total revenue | $13,685,231 | $9,582,478 | $9,593,174 | $9,044,085 | $8,640,002 |
| Expenses | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Program services | $8,447,869 | $9,659,640 | $6,842,573 | $6,419,534 | $5,156,827 |
| Management and general | $2,785,775 | $1,445,903 | $2,462,566 | $2,396,672 | $2,994,335 |
| Fundraising | $524,796 | $663,900 | $1,170,255 | $1,119,315 | $1,086,392 |
| Total expenses | $11,758,440 | $11,769,443 | $10,475,394 | $9,935,521 | $9,237,554 |
| Change in net assets | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $1,926,791 | ($2,186,965) | ($882,220) | ($891,436) | ($597,552) |
| Other changes in net assets | $50,994 | $194,730 | $0 | $348,348 | ($790,100) |
| Total change in net assets | $1,977,785 | ($1,992,235) | ($882,220) | ($543,088) | ($1,387,652) |
Compensation
Compensation data for this ministry has not been collected.
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 2/29/2024. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Though it began as a two-year institute, today Life Pacific University is a four-year regionally and nationally accredited Bible college affiliated with The Foursquare Church and committed to an enduring Pentecostal mission. For more than 90 years, LPU has offered high quality Christian education for learners who desire life-long learning and equipping that is centered in the Word of God and empowered by the life-giving testimony of Jesus Christ.
Life Pacific University's (LPU) historic and continuing mission is the preparation and education of leaders entering ministry, including pastoral, missional, bi-vocational, non-traditional, and marketplace ministry. Our sponsoring denomination, The Foursquare Church, has experienced remarkable worldwide growth through its existence, with LPU playing an important role in its development. There are now about 8.5 million Foursquare members in 147 countries, meeting in 64,000 churches. As a contemporary and progressive Bible college, LPU supports the education and development of men and women in the Body of Christ in the church and marketplace. The college seeks to improve the provision of workers/graduates to ministry fields relevant to the 21st century church, through programs in areas of transformational and pastoral ministry, strategic leadership, biblical studies, worship arts & media, human development & psychology, business administration (business as mission), communication, and general studies. Additionally, the college partners with LPU-Ignite in Virginia, offering a discipleship-immersion program culminating in LPU's A.A. in General Studies degree.
The roots of Life Pacific University are undeniably intertwined with the founding of Angelus Temple and the beginnings of The Foursquare Church. In 1921, famed evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson traveled cross-country to southern California by automobile and established a large, vibrant and fast-growing evangelistic center in Los Angeles. Mrs. McPherson and the congregation's leaders soon realized the need for permanent facilities, and consequently Angelus Temple, The Foursquare Church's first place of assembly, opened in Los Angeles on January 1, 1923. Just five weeks later, about one hundred ministerial students enrolled in classes at the Echo Park Evangelistic and Missionary Training Institute. The institute's enrollment quickly grew, with plans laid to construct a new education facility. In 1926 the institute moved to the newly constructed five-story complex next door to Angelus Temple. Following a short period operating as the International Institute of Foursquare Evangelism (IIFE), the institution was renamed L.I.F.E. (Lighthouse of International Foursquare Evangelism) to better represent its overarching objectives. L.I.F.E. was quickly transitioning to college status and graduated its first class in April 1925.
Establishing "Carry On!" as its slogan and yearbook name, the college positioned itself to better serve the now-stabilizing Foursquare congregations of the 1930s by expanding to a three-year diploma program. In the 1940s, the college added a four-year program, culminating in the development of the Bachelor of Theology and Bachelor of Religious Education degree programs in the 1950s. For several years in the late 40s and early 50s, the college offered a fifth-year Doctor of Theology program. Traveling music and choral groups had been in place almost since the founding of L.I.F.E. In 1950, intercollegiate sports-including basketball and baseball-commenced. The Bachelor of Arts degree program replaced the Bachelor of Theology (considered at the time to be a five-year program) in the 1960s.
In the 70s, L.I.F.E. began to consider the need to relocate. After receiving a multi-million-dollar gift earmarked for moving the campus, the college investigated a number of sites in Southern California, finally settling on a property in San Dimas, CA. Construction began in 1989. L.I.F.E. moved to the new San Dimas campus in 1990. This campus remains the current home of the college.
Further development of the campus since 1990 includes the addition of three more residence halls and extensive landscaping. The Roy Hicks, Jr. student center and Ronald Mehl Court gymnasium opened in 2003.
HISTORY OF OUR LEADERS:
Founder Aimee Semple McPherson served as the first president. McPherson opened the Institute for International Foursquare Evangelism in 1923 desiring to prepare men and women for the church's growing need for missionaries, evangelists, as well as others who might be "not expecting to enter the field" but desired a strong education in the Bible.
Upon her death, Aimee's son Rolf K. McPherson succeeded to the presidency in 1944, serving as the 2nd president for nearly 30 years, the longest presidential tenure at L.I.F.E., (serving concurrently as president of the church, as did his mother). Several "deans of the college" provided day-to-day leadership through the years, including Dr. William Black as the first dean of L.I.F.E. in its early years. Rev. Harriet Jordan served capably as college dean until 1937, she was succeeded by noted Foursquare pastor Watson B. Teaford. When 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.
TRANSITIONS
In 1973, the college began the transition to an on-site chief executive officer. Dr. Donald McGregor was appointed as L.I.F.E.'s first and only executive director. In 1976, longtime Foursquare scholar and historian Dr. Nathaniel M. Van Cleave was inaugurated as the college's third president, with Dr. Rolf K. McPherson continuing in office as president of the Board of Trustees. Prominent pastor and author Jack W. Hayford, an alumnus and long-time supporter of the college, served as the fourth president (1977- 1982), during this time L.I.F.E. achieved ABHE (AABC) accreditation (1980). He was succeeded by fifth president Dr. Jack E. Hamilton (1982-1992), who at the time was president of the L.I.F.E. Alumni Association and a Foursquare senior pastor in Santa Maria, California. Under Dr. Hamilton's able leadership, the college relocated to its present campus in San Dimas, California.
In 1992, following Dr. Hamilton, well-known pastor and author Ron Mehl served as sixth president of L.I.F.E. At that time, Dr. Dick Scott assumed the day-to-day operations role of executive vice president, then was inaugurated as LPU's seventh president in 1994. Scott's wide-ranging background and experience as a minister, linguist, missionary and administrator enabled his proficient leadership at the college. His interest and knowledge in computer technology and building improvements, led to the most sweeping changes in the college's history since the construction of the original campus. During his presidency, the college pursued regional accreditation with WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges). With a new location, new dorms, leadership and accreditation, it seemed only fitting to change the name of the college. It was then, that L.I.F.E. Bible College became Life Pacific University.
ONWARD
Following Dick Scott's departure in 2003, a presidential search was conducted culminating in the inauguration of Dr. Dan Stewart as eighth president. During Dr. Stewart's able leadership, the college became debt free. In 2008, Dr. Stewart became a full time pastor, leaving a brief vacancy in the president's office at LPU. During the selection process, Dr. Robert Flores began to serve the college in an interim capacity. November 2008 marked the conclusion of that interim status as the board confirmed Dr. Flores as the ninth president of Life Pacific University. Dr. Flores' tenure was marked by renewed emphasis on developing and maintaining relationships with the pastors, churches, and leaders within the Foursquare denomination as well as with other denominations. Dr. Robert Flores resigned in December 2012 to re-enter pastoral ministry and Dr. Jim J. Adams was appointed as Interim President.
An alumnus of Life Pacific University (class of '77), Adams earned the Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Southern California. A Foursquare minister since 1977, he served as the youth director for the Western District of Foursquare Churches, and was a familiar presence at Foursquare camps. Jim has also served as Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Dean of Students at Life Pacific University, Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer for Western Christian Schools, and Professor and Program Director of Operation Impact at Azusa Pacific University.
Furthermore, he is known for his exceptional collaborative leadership and personal qualities serving in his previous role as Executive Director for the Center of Global Learning & Engagement at Azusa Pacific University. He has published numerous articles on topics related to higher education and taught organizational management, research, ministry, and leadership. Following a national search Dr. Adams was elected by the trustees as the tenth President of LPU, and assumed office on July 1, 2013, with inauguration ceremonies on October 18, 2013. He holds a passion for ministry, embodies the spirit of our Foursquare family and is uniquely qualified to engage the educational opportunities that lie before us.
Following Dr. Jim J. Adams departure in 2019, Angie Richey took over as Intermin President while she served as Vice President of Enrollment and Chief Communications Officer. A presidential search was conducted resulting in Angie Richey as eleventh president of Life Pacific University.
Program accomplishments
Life Pacific university was recently recognized as a Great College to Work For by the Chronicle of Higher Education.