[北美基督神學院]於2005年七月一日於美國聯邦與加州政府登記立案正式成立。這是回應從神來的異象與使命，針對當今華人教會的需要， 因應教會所面臨的種種挑戰，給教牧與信徒領袖在神學及事奉上提供全面的訓練。
學院位於Sunnyvale市, 乃華人聚居的南灣矽谷，不但可以就近服事當地眾多教會及家庭，並且面向亞洲，有利於實踐以神學教育宣教的信念。 2006年開始亞洲事工，並於2008年在亞洲重點地區設立北美基督神學院亞洲分院。
本院為加州高等教育局(BPPE) 核准的非營利神學院，頒發教牧學博士、神學碩士、道學碩士、基督教研究碩士學位，與基督教研究文憑。 2015年成為亞洲神學協會（ATA）正會員，可與其他ATA會員學校互相承認學分及學位。
學院的辦學理念是聖經神學與事奉實踐結合並重。北美的事工以培養教牧人才與信徒領袖為主，裝備他們更有效的事奉主，有系統的教導聖經、神學、 教會歷史，並提供關懷、輔導、衝突處理等實用課程。歷年來學院所培養的學生有的在教會帶領查經及教導主日學、有的在工作場所的團契中教導在學院學到 的實用課程、也有在本地或到外地牧會、或參與輔導關懷事工。在學院所學到的，不但幫助同學在教會作牧養領導，也可將所學在家庭和職場中學以致用。
我們面對很大的亞洲宣教工場，人口多，教會增長快，牧養需要大，迫切需要有系統的、全面的培育教會領袖。我們選擇 沿海城市設立校區，交通便利、教會組織健全、學生有豐富的服事經驗。成立至今，已培育了大批有神學及關懷牧養訓練的工人。畢業生們在各自 的教會中擔任領袖、帶領教會、或到外面植堂。有些畢業生更到外地參與訓練其他教會的工人。也有同學因著工作的緣故，到回教徒地區宣教。 因著廣大禾場的需要，2018年我們開始增設道學碩士班，提供更高水平的訓練，為培育當地的神學師資奠定根基。
學院蒙神豐富的恩典，無論是師資、課程、學制、學位、學生都受到肯定。面對將來，我們需要繼續努力、同心合意，尋求神的帶領，並且靠主力求進步。 我們歡迎眾教會弟兄姐妹前來接受裝備，也渴望教會眾弟兄姐妹與我們同工，彼此配搭、代禱，共同建立神的國度，竭力完成主耶穌的大使命。
Our Organization
CLI is governed by the Board of Directors. It also has an advisory committee of pastors, teachers and business people who provide educational, operational and spiritual advices.
The executive office consists of President William Sun, Acting Academic Dean Dr. Ying Hua Liu, and Chief Operating Officer James Hwang.
Under the executive officers are Administration Director Fay Hwang, Director of CLI Asia Branch, Dean of Student Affairs, Librarian, and various committees.
Our Faculty and Staff
CLI has a strong and broad-based faculty team which covers the full spectrum of theological courses in New Testament, Old Testament, Theology, Church History, Mission, and Practical Theology. These teachers are not only well-qualified in their respective area of studies, but also well recognized for their good teaching skills that inspire the students to continue with theological education. The faculty also serves as spiritual mentors to the students as they model the life of a servant leader, with integrity and pastoral heart.
CLI has a small team of paid staff and volunteers. The team works tirelessly to support faculty and students, and manage all the administrative work of the Institute.
Our Education Programs
Currently CLI offers the following degree programs:
- Doctor of Ministry (North America)
- Master of Theology (North America)
- Master of Divinity (North America, Asia)
- Master of Christian Studies (North America, Asia)
- Diploma of Christian Studies (North America)
We strive to offer a rich, balanced and holistic curriculum which not only provides students with a solid foundation in the Christian faith and equip them with the leadership and counseling skills, but also shape them into the vessel suitable for the Kingdom of God.
Our Publication Ministry
CLI has embarked on developing publication ministry to publish books on biblical-theological-practical topics. CLI already published in 2014 the “Marketplace Ministry: Challenge and Practice” book compiling the lectures given by CLI teachers and invited guests on the topic. A book on counseling, “Christian Counseling that Changes Life” with 12 CLI teachers contributing articles on the topic, was released in September 2015 and is now on the second print. In 2019 our Research Professor Lawrence Chan published a new book “Theology and Ministry”. The publication ministry is one of the means we employ to reach out and serve more people in the Christian community, not just our students.