Spirit and Life Seminary, the official seminary of the Church of God of Prophecy, has reached a historic milestone by achieving accreditation through the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). This significant achievement affirms the seminary’s commitment to academic excellence, spiritual formation, and the equipping of leaders for Spirit-empowered ministry.
Celebrating the announcement, Church of God of Prophecy Presiding Bishop Tim Coalter shared, “The accreditation of Spirit and Life Seminary is a significant milestone for the Church of God of Prophecy. It affirms the quality and credibility of the theological education being offered by our movement and reflects our renewed commitment to equipping men and women for Spirit-empowered ministry.” He continued, “Around the globe, I anticipate a sense of celebration and pride from our people, knowing that this step further aligns us with our call to make mature disciples and develop leaders who will reconcile the world for Christ. Congratulations to Seminary President Dr. Michael Hernandez, along with the dedicated staff and faculty of Spirit and Life Seminary, on achieving accreditation.”
The journey toward Spirit and Life Seminary’s establishment and accreditation began with the Church’s identification of leadership development and discipleship as a core value. Recognizing the growing need for formal theological education across its global constituency, Church leadership initiated plans in 2016 to establish an institution of higher learning. The first class offering began in the fall of 2017, and the Seminary quickly moved toward securing state authorization.
In November 2019, after a year of intensive preparation, Spirit and Life Seminary received authorization from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) to operate as a recognized institution of higher education. Following this milestone, the Seminary developed a strategic plan for growth and academic development. In 2022, Spirit and Life Seminary achieved certification from the Association for Hispanic Theological Education (AETH), enabling its Ministry and Theological Studies Certificate to be recognized by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) for graduate admission.
Recognition of accreditation was awarded on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, following a meeting of the TRACS Accreditation Commission.
Accreditation through TRACS, a national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), enhances Spirit and Life Seminary’s position among Christian higher education institutions. It also connects the Seminary to global networks of quality assurance through membership in the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) and the American Council on Education (ACE).
The Seminary’s year-end summary for 2024 highlighted strong progress in strategic goals and a significant surge in student growth. By December 2024, Spirit and Life Seminary had enrolled 265 students, marking a 52 percent increase over its 2022 enrollment of 174 students. Growth within the Spanish program was especially remarkable, with enrollment rising from 29 students in 2022 to 122 students in 2024—a 320 percent increase.
The Seminary’s global reach also expanded notably. Enrollment in Africa, Central America, and South America grew exponentially from 2023 to 2024, indicating great interest and appreciation for the global access for the programs offered by the Seminary.
Albert Murza, academic dean, noted, “Achieving accreditation from TRACS strengthens our ability to serve students with excellence, but also allows us to expand our academic offerings and support continued growth in Christ-centered education.”
To support this continued expansion, Spirit and Life Seminary strengthened its faculty by hiring a second full-time Spanish-language instructor in January 2024 and a part-time English-language instructor in October 2024. Additionally, six regional coordinators were recruited to assist in developing Spanish-speaking cohorts in the Southeast United States and the Dominican Republic. In 2024, strategic efforts also began to secure additional funding for faculty professional development initiatives.
Following notification of the granting of accreditation to the seminary, Bishop Jeffery Davis, executive director of Leadership Development and Discipleship Ministries, shared, “God always knew that He was going to raise Spirit and Life Seminary; we didn’t. He is the Resurrection and the Life. Believing in him and responding to what he said has given us a new opportunity to train and develop the leaders of tomorrow.
An important part of this milestone included hosting a TRACS Evaluation Team visit in January 2024, culminating in the Seminary being awarded candidate status in April 2024 and now full accreditation in 2025.
Seminary President Dr. Michael Hernandez reflected on the Seminary’s journey saying, “Accreditation for Spirit and Life Seminary means that our students can have full confidence that the program they have enrolled in meets or exceeds standards for institutional integrity, continuous improvement, and academic excellence.”
Spirit and Life Seminary offers fully online programs—including a Bachelor in Ministry and Theological Studies and the Certificate in Ministry and Theological Studies—making Spirit-empowered, biblically rooted education accessible worldwide.
For more information about Spirit and Life Seminary, its programs, or how to enroll, visit www.spiritandlifeseminary.org.
Below, watch the live video announcement featuring Presiding Bishop Tim Coalter; Seminary President Dr. Michael Hernandez; Executive Director of Leadership Development and Discipleship Ministries Bishop Jeffrey Davis; Academic Dean Albert Murza; and host Dr. Shaun McKinley, executive director of Global Communications.