Rooted in Faith.
Formed for Service.
For decades, Lanka Bible College & Seminary has stood at the intersection of rigorous scholarship and transformational ministry — equipping men and women to serve the church of Jesus Christ across Sri Lanka and the world.
A History of
Faithful Service
LBCS was founded with a singular conviction — that Sri Lanka's churches need leaders who are deeply formed, theologically equipped, and contextually rooted. That conviction has shaped every decade of our history.
Establishment of Lanka Bible College
Lanka Bible College was established to provide theological education for Sri Lankan Christian leaders in their local context — responding to the urgent need for trained pastors and church workers across the island.
Expanding Programs & Reach
The college expanded its curriculum to include Diplomas and Bachelor's level programs, serving both residential students and those in active ministry through non-residential tracks — reaching Sinhala and Tamil communities.
Lanka Bible College & Seminary
The addition of the Seminary wing marked a new chapter — introducing graduate-level programs including the Master of Divinity, enabling graduates to serve as theological educators, senior pastors, and mission leaders.
Asia Theological Association Recognition
LBCS achieved recognition under the Asia Theological Association (ATA) standards — a landmark moment confirming the academic quality, faculty standards, and institutional integrity of the college's programs.
Expansion into Graduate Education
The Centre for Graduate Studies (CGS) was established to deepen and broaden LBCS's academic reach — offering the M.A. in Mission & Ministry with multiple specialisation tracks for experienced Christian leaders.
School of Worship & Music — Launched
LBCS launches the Diploma in Worship and Music Ministry — the first program of its kind at LBCS, integrating theological depth, spiritual formation, and musical competence for a new generation of worship leaders in Sri Lanka.
"Study & Serve"
Drawn from 2 Timothy 2:15 — a constant reminder that theological education is not an end in itself, but preparation for faithful service in the church and the world.
What We Believe
& Why We Exist
Our Vision
To be a provider of excellent transformational holistic theological training to serve the church of our Lord Jesus Christ with relevance to the context.
Our Mission
Serving and equipping Christian leaders through holistic curriculum in a residential and non-residential setting to make a transformative impact on church and society as they accomplish God's holistic mission on earth in and through the local church.
Our Values
Partnership with the local church. Biblical foundation. Integrative & transformative training. Servant leadership. Holistic approach to mission. Contextual relevance. Quality theological education. Obedience to the Great Commission.
Our Core Values in Detail
These values are not aspirations — they are the convictions that shape every program, every class, and every student we serve.
Partnership with the local church as the primary context for ministry and mission
Biblical foundation undergirding all teaching, formation, and community life
Integrative and transformative training that forms the whole person — head, heart, and hands
Servant leadership with biblical attitudes rooted in spiritual formation
Serving community with a holistic approach to mission encompassing spiritual and social dimensions
Contextual relevance — helping students live and serve for God's glory in their own ministry settings
Maintaining the quality of theological education and training according to ATA standards
Obedience to the great commandments and the Great Commission as the animating purpose of all ministry
How We Form
Christian Leaders
LBCS's educational philosophy goes far beyond information transfer. We believe genuine theological education forms the whole person — spiritually, relationally, personally, and contextually.
Spiritual Formation
At the heart of LBCS is a conviction that education must first form the person. Spiritual formation is not supplementary to academics — it is central. Students engage in regular prayer, devotional activities, communal worship, and three days of fasting and prayer each academic term.
Relational Formation
Effective ministry is deeply relational. LBCS builds empathy, communication, and conflict resolution through community life, growth groups, mentorship with faculty, weekend ministries, and mission trips. Graduates leave equipped with the relational maturity to lead real communities.
Personal Formation
We invest in the whole person — intellect, character, and emotional resilience. The curriculum includes pastoral care, Scripture-based character formation, leadership development, and workshops on emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and stress management.
Contextual Relevance
Theology that doesn't engage Sri Lanka isn't theology for Sri Lanka. Our curriculum incorporates local case studies, contextual theology, and field education — addressing Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim dialogue, post-war reconciliation, and colonial church history.
Eight Goals That Guide Everything We Do
Every program, course, and activity at LBCS is shaped by these institutional goals.
Excellence in Theological Education
Rigorous curriculum incorporating contemporary theological issues, practical ministry skills, and academic excellence.
Holistic Development
Nurturing students' spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical well-being for holistic personal and professional growth.
Contextual Relevance
Equipping students to serve effectively within their specific cultural and societal contexts across Sri Lanka.
Leadership Development
Developing competent and compassionate Christian leaders through mentorship, character formation, and practical ministry skills.
Community Engagement
Fostering a strong community and preparing students to lead initiatives that bring holistic community transformation.
Mission Focus
Inspiring and equipping students to participate in God's holistic mission on earth — locally and globally.
Flexible Training Modes
Providing residential, non-residential, online, and extension programs to reach a diverse student body across Sri Lanka.
Continuous Improvement
Regular evaluation processes, stakeholder feedback, and data-driven decisions to enhance the quality of our offerings.
ATA Accredited
Lanka Bible College & Seminary operates in accordance with the accreditation standards of the Asia Theological Association — the leading accrediting body for evangelical theological institutions across Asia.
Why ATA
Accreditation
Matters
The Asia Theological Association (ATA) is the recognised standard for evangelical theological education across Asia. ATA accreditation means LBCS meets rigorous standards for faculty qualifications, curriculum design, institutional governance, student formation, and academic quality.
For students, it means your qualification is recognised across Asia and beyond. For churches, it means graduates have been trained to a verified standard of theological competence and ministerial readiness.
Certificate & Diploma faculty hold at minimum a Bachelor's or Master's degree. Bachelor's faculty hold at least an M.Div. or M.A. Master's faculty hold research doctorates (PhD, Th.D., Ed.D.).
All programs follow ATA credit hour definitions — from 36 ATA credits for a Certificate through to 90 credits for an M.Div. Fully aligned with the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework (SLQF).
LBCS follows ATA credit transfer protocols — accepting credits from UGC-approved institutions and ATA-recognised colleges. Maximum 40% of credits may be transferred into any program.
Regular curriculum review, faculty development, student feedback mechanisms, and institutional self-assessment ensure LBCS continuously improves its educational standards.
More Than a
Classroom
Life at LBCS is designed around the conviction that formation happens in community, not just in lectures. From daily chapel to weekend ministries, students are immersed in an environment shaped by prayer, accountability, and shared mission.
Residential students live and study together, forming friendships across ethnic and denominational lines — experiencing the unity of the body of Christ as a living reality, not just a theological concept.
Daily Chapel & Prayer
Corporate worship and prayer are woven into the rhythm of every week. Students are not just taught about spiritual formation — they practice it together.
Fasting & Spiritual Retreats
Three days of fasting and prayer each academic term, along with spiritual retreats designed to deepen students' relationship with God and one another.
Growth Groups & Mentorship
Small growth groups combine students with faculty or experienced ministry leaders — providing relational accountability, pastoral care, and personal guidance.
Weekend Ministry & Outreach
Students engage in local church ministries, community outreach, and mission trips — applying classroom learning in real-world ministry contexts every week.
Multi-Ethnic Community
LBCS brings together Sinhala, Tamil, and English-speaking students — forming a community that reflects the diversity of Sri Lanka and the unity of the body of Christ.
Diploma students complete two years of field ministry experience after residential training — embedded in a local church, serving real congregations, and submitting a 5,000-word field ministry report using SWOT analysis methodology.
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
Whether you are sensing a call to ministry, seeking to deepen your theological foundation, or looking for a community to grow in faith and serve — LBCS is ready to walk with you.