OUR HISTORY
In 1940, Bishop Karl F. Smith and LaBaugh H. Stansbury established a Pentecostal Bible Training Center. It was given the name “Aenon”, meaning “springs” as it alluded to the waters of educational and spiritual refreshing that would spring from its midst. The heritage and conception of Aenon School of Theology & Bible College (AST) is rooted and grounded in the legacy of Aenon Bible College - West Coast, a branch of Aenon Bible College, Inc.
Dr. Howard A. Swancy, founder of AST, formerly served as President of the West Coast branch and is a graduate of Aenon Bible College, Inc., which is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Through the foresight of the late Bishop Frank R. Bowdan, in 1972, Aenon Los Angeles was officially established as a “quasi’ extension under the Board Chairmanship of Bishop Francis Smith. In 1973, Dr. Norma Sylvester Jackson became Dean of the West Coast branch, where she served for 32 years in various capacities. Aenon West Coast became a formidable, highly recognized college under her direction and was known for dynamic Bible teachers.
Upon Dr. Jackson's death in 2005, the college underwent a transition. After several months of negotiations with Aenon Headquarters, Dr. Swancy decided to establish and implement a school, so that Bible students could continue their education. Being a proponent of education and in honor of his rich heritage, he vowed that there would always be an “Aenon” on the West Coast.
In September 2007, Dr. Swancy pursued the vision, consummating the vow and the Aenon School of Theology and Bible College opened its doors.