Latvian Biblical Center and a Century of God’s Unfolding Faithfulness
For a period of over 50 years, Latvians endured intense religious oppression, leaving a generation unequipped to rightly handle the Word of God. Just a year after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Latvian Biblical Center (LBC) — formerly Riga International Bible Institute (RIBI) that Al Baanna helped start — was founded to address this gap in theological education. Today, LBC trains not only aspiring ministers but also believers seeking a stronger foundation in sound biblical teaching.
When Vitali Petrenko was offered the position of director, he felt a holy dissatisfaction as he observed its state. At the time, there were only two programs running for a total of 20 students. With a life-long desire to see people trained in the knowledge of the Bible, he believed the Center held greater potential. Vitali, together with his wife Ester, decided to make themselves available to the calling of God and accepted the role in 2008, confident that there was more to the school than meets the eye.
Early on, he sought God about the institute having its own classrooms, library, and conference space. It sometimes happens that our seemingly ordinary decisions are actually the leading of the Lord. As he was visiting a church in Riga, he saw a devastated structure next to the “Salvation Temple” and heard God say, “This building is for LBC”. Unbeknownst to Vitali, he was looking at the former home of William Fetler and his Latvian Mission and Bible School which graduated its first students 100 years ago. After the school closed, the building gradually fell into utter disrepair. Through a four-year effort considered “the miracle in the making”, LBC assumed the building, restored it, and held its grand opening in 2017.
As Vitali remained committed to the vision God gave him, the institute flourished—expanding to six core programs and drawing an increasing number of students. Just three years ago, LBC celebrated its 30th year anniversary and graduated 90 students. From its founding to the very walls that house it, LBC’s story reflects the clear faithfulness, guidance, and provision of the Lord.
Regarding the courses themselves, the Center takes a holistic approach, prioritizing spiritual formation, ministry training, emotional health, and community development. As false ideologies continue to spread, LBC equips each student to study the Scriptures for themselves and discover God's truth for every area of life. Graduates carry the Word into both church and secular environments, impacting every sphere of society.
Despite its modest size, the institute maintains a strong international focus. Through a partnership with the Norwegian School of Theology and North-West University in South Africa, LBC offers accredited graduate and postgraduate programs, including Master's and Doctoral degrees in Theology. The Center also combines in-person classes in Riga with options for distance learning, making theological education accessible to a broader audience.
LBC is committed to unity and aspires to establish more connections with similar institutions. Locally, it collaborates with churches and leaders who share its mission to equip believers for their callings. Its faculty and students, representing diverse backgrounds and denominations, further reflect the Center’s heart to build bridges within the body of Christ.
LBC stands as a powerful reminder that simple obedience can lead to the multiplication of disciples worldwide. Before the Latvian Biblical Center, there was Al Baanna and the Riga International Bible Institute. Before them, William Fetler and the Latvian Mission and Bible School. While we may see our individual lives as small puzzle pieces, the Lord sees the full picture they create when joined together. To this day, hundreds have grown in discipleship, deepened their knowledge of God, and engaged in ministry—testaments to God’s enduring faithfulness to His Word.
