In 1968, the LAN was commissioned to investigate possible avenues of proclaiming historic, biblical theology because a significant part of the church was moving toward liberalism.
It eventually seemed expedient to recommend the establishment of a seminary committed to the inerrant Word of God.
Dr. R. H. Redal was called as the first president and the initial classes were held September 23, 1969, in Tacoma, Washington.
The institution established an educational outreach in the Kingdom of Tonga (South Pacific) in 1992 in conjunction with Polynesian Missions.
The institution offers distance education (DVD) courses (augmented by resident teaching in Tonga).