History

With the adoption of leadership development and discipleship as an identified core value of the Church of God of Prophecy and with admirable efforts to provide educational opportunities to the church’s constituency for many years, it became apparent to Church leadership that the global church needed some level of higher education opportunity for its’ ministry and laity. In 2016 the developmental stages began to move toward the realization of such an institution of higher learning by the Leadership Development and Discipleship division of the International Offices by the then Executive Director, Dr. Brian Sutton in dialogue with Dr. Shaun McKinley, the Director of Accredited Ministry Development for the Church of God of Prophecy. The initiation of what would later become Spirit and Life Seminary started in earnest in the fall of 2017 with an initial class offering by Dr. Michael Hernandez in collaboration with another institution. In the fall of 2017, Dr. Michael Plumley also joined the administrative staff to begin the process of determining the requirements of state authorization for an institution of higher learning in Tennessee.

In August of 2018, Dr. Michael Hernandez was appointed to the position of Director of AMD andtasked by the new Executive Director of LDD, Kathryn Creasy to begin the process of applying for authorization from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. A momentous year was spent developing and producing all the necessary documentation to achieve state authorization, including the establishment of the SLS Library, building up the administrative team, and recruiting faculty. THEC authorization was granted in November of 2019.

Upon receiving authorization from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to operate as an institution of higher learning, an analysis and assessment of the relatively new instituted Seminary was conducted by the newly appointed President- Dr. Michael Hernandez and administrative staff. The purpose of the analysis was to set in place strategic plans that would give the infant institution direction and focus. The President and the administrative staff of Spirit and Life Seminary identified goals within a Strategic Plan of what should have priority and focus over the ensuing five-year period. The Strategic Plan was presentedto the Board of Directors for review, discussion, and approval. Key elements of the Strategic Plan included seeking AETH Certification, pursuing accreditation, expanding participation globally, and increasing enrollment.

Concurrently, Dr. Hernandez and the SLS administration began working towards meeting the requirements for certification from the Association for Hispanic Theological Education (AETH). In April of 2022, Spirit and Life Seminary was notified by AETH that certification had been granted. AETH Certification enables the Ministry and Theological Studies program to be recognized by the Association of TheologicalSchools as meeting the requirements in lieu of a bachelor’s degree when students apply to graduate schools accredited by the ATS.

After receiving AETH Certification, Dr. Hernandez and the SLS administration immediately began working towards meeting the requirements for accreditation from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). On April 23, 2024, during the TRACS Commission meeting, Dr. Hernandez was notified that candidacy status had been awarded by TRACS. One year later, on April 29, 2025, SLS was found as meeting all requirements for accreditation by TRACS.