About the Leadership Institute at Allen Temple

Our society is in need of a leadership that is rooted in the soil of ethical and moral values. Without highly disciplined and critically seasoned leaders, our institutions will fail to produce persons who can steer society away from the reefs of destruction. The Leadership Institute at Allen Temple is dedicated to training women and men to serve in both the church and society, in making the human community healthy—mentally, morally, and spiritually. The leadership model of Jesus was holistic in addressing the total needs of humankind.

Therefore, we invite you to begin a lifetime of study and service in your area of giftedness as a creative and constructive leader in the arena where you feel led to serve. Our gifted and highly trained faculty are diverse in their cross-cultural backgrounds and, therefore, ideal for training people to live and work in a highly diverse world. They are eager to meet you and to engage you in critical thinking and in cross-cultural ministries.
We look forward to having you enroll in future semesters.

Prayerfully,

Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr.

Founder

The Leadership Institute at Allen Temple (LIAT) empowers emerging leaders to transform their communities through accessible education, spiritual growth, and civic engagement. We nurture visionary thinkers and passionate advocates, equipping grassroots leaders with the knowledge and credibility to create lasting change in their communities.

Our mission is rooted in the belief that meaningful impact requires both wisdom and practical skills. Through affordable, supportive education, we prepare our students to become effective voices that speak truth to power, whether in ministry or community leadership.

We envision being the nation's premier institute transforming passion into powerful leadership, creating a network of visionary leaders who bridge faith, justice, and community action across America.

Our graduates will shape the future of both ministry and civic engagement, speaking truth to power while lifting up communities from within.

Since our founding in 1997 under the visionary leadership of Dr. J. Alfred Smith, Sr., we have remained committed to educating women and men for responsible Christian leadership in both church and society.

What began as a vision became reality in the Fall of 1998. Forty-five students enrolled in our Certificate in Ministry Program, forming what became known as the Alpha Class.

On May 20, 2000, sixteen members of this pioneering group graduated in our first commencement ceremony.

Our academic excellence is strengthened through strategic partnerships with institutions like Fuller Theological Seminary and Berkeley School of Theology (formerly American Baptist Seminary of the West). These collaborations allow us to offer rigorous theological education while maintaining our commitment to accessibility and community responsiveness.