Distinctives

"Because the Rio Grande Bible Institute is a faith mission, it is supported through the voluntary giving of God's people. Most of its operating expenses are covered by donations. Because each staff member's financial support comes from gifts sent in by churches and individuals, our charges can be kept to a minimum."

1. An Unashamed Commitment to Scripture
RGBI holds firmly that the Holy Bible as originally written was verbally and plenarily inspired of God, and is completely reliable and without any admixture of error. The original autographs of both the Old and New Testaments are inerrant and infallible, and are the final authority for faith and practice.

2. A Personal Commitment to Fulfill God's Call to Ministry with RGBI
The basic motivation of every person at RGBI is a clear sense of God's call to be involved in ministry here. Our motivation for service is rooted not in career advancement, position attainment, personal goals nor financial remuneration. Rather, we are here to render service to the Latin church as per our mission statement. Furthermore, faith in God's provision to meet our personal and mission financial needs characterizes every RGBI worker, administrator and Board member. Each individual and ministry therefore assumes that God is our provider, not the mission or some officer of the mission. In view of the calling of God, each staff member is personally committed to evangelizing the lost and discipling believers into churches.

3. A Commitment to Personal Integrity - a walk worthy of our calling
Each individual involved with RGBI seeks to live in such a manner that the person and character of the Lord Jesus Christ can be clearly seen in all aspects of our lives. We take seriously the Scriptural admonition to be holy (1 Peter 1:15, 16) so that we can more clearly present the Gospel message to the world around us (1 Peter 2:9; 3:15, 16). Each member of the Board and staff of RGBI is therefore deeply concerned about personal integrity, honesty, openness and sensitivity to others.

4. A Commitment to Collegiality
RGBI is committed to a spirit or attitude of equality before the Lord of all its workers. Each member is called to RGBI and is thus committed using his/her gifts to accomplish the goals of Institute. Of necessity an organization needs levels of authority and responsibility; in such a spirit of equality it becomes easy to accept the vision and goals of spiritual leadership. As evidence of this openness before the Lord, fellow workers and constituency, the leadership pledges to share vital principles of action, plans and information that impacts the ministry and they will do it on a regular basis.

5. An Organizational Commitment to the Faith Principle
RGBI's basic premise is that God's work done in God's way will not lack God's support. RGBI looks to the Lord and trusts Him for the timely provision of both personnel and financial needs. We believe that God's timely provision becomes a measure of what He wants us to do. This approach does not eliminate proper planning and making ministry opportunities known. It does, however, provide an important check regarding our motivation for our presentations for funds and personnel.

6. A Commitment to Excellence
RGBI is a unique balance between an academic institution seeking excellence and a missionary agency. It is therefore a member of both the IFMA and the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges (ABHE).

7. A Commitment to Being International
Because our outlook is definitely to the church in Latin America and then the rest of the world, the Bible Institute strives to accommodate the Latin emphasis, culture and world view insofar as these are Biblical. RGBI is therefore intentionally international. We believe that this best expresses the nature of the body of Christ in the world. We believe we will be more effective as we incorporate the richness of cultural diversity in our membership.

8. A Commitment to Being Nondenominational
RGBI is intentionally nondenominational so that we can minister to the wider body of Christians who share our doctrinal distinctives as set forth in our Articles of Faith. Our ability to work together in unity whatever our personal denominational affiliation might be provides a profound statement of our oneness in Jesus Christ (Eph 4:1-6).

9. A Commitment to the Hispanic Church
RGBI personnel have an ongoing commitment to prepare Christian leaders for the Spanish-speaking church. We desire to produce men and women for this segment of the Church who have grasped the missionary mandate of God's Word.

10. A Commitment to Open Access Regarding Financial Information
RGBI is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and the Canadian Council of Christian Charities (CCCC). Any person is free to inquire and receive pertinent disclosure of how RGBI obtains its funds as well as the way they are used.