Trinity International University

Our Centers

Trinity is home to the Henry Center for Theological Understanding, the Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity, the Center for Transformational Churches, and the Hiebert Center for World Christianity and Global Theology. All of Trinity’s centers hold events every year, including debates, conferences and lectures, which cover a wide variety of topics and feature respected experts and theologians. The majority of these events are open to the public to attend – information is available on the University Calendar.

Carl F.H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding (HCTU)

The Carl F. H. Henry Center for Theological Understanding provides a unique opportunity for ministers, professionals, and academics in various fields to work collaboratively with seminary faculty engaged in biblical and theological reflection. The goal of this partnership is to advance Christian wisdom in all areas of life and thought—to enable people to apply the knowledge of God and themselves gleaned from Scripture in the rough and tumble of life. The Center seeks to embody the vision of Carl F. H. Henry (1913-2003), a long-time faculty member at Trinity, for Christian thinking that makes a difference in the academy, in our churches, and in the secular world. The work of the Center is thus aimed at promoting gospel-centered thinking and living with others—from a variety of ethnic and social backgrounds—for the glory of God, the good of His church, and the welfare of the world.

The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity (CBHD)

The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity explores the nexus of biomedicine, biotechnology, and our common humanity. Within a Judeo-Christian Hippocratic framework, we anticipate, interpret, and engage the pressing bioethical issues of our day. As a center of rigorous research, theological and conceptual analysis, charitable critique, and thoughtful engagement, we bring clarity to the complex issues of our day.

The Center for Transformational Churches

The Center for Transformational Churches exists to serve as a resource both to church members and church leaders to help pastors and other church leaders better understand the vital connection between faith, work, and economics with their congregations. By empowering pastors and congregation members to understand the value of their daily work, churches create a ripple effect in bringing about human flourishing and discipleship that encompasses the whole life.

The Paul G. Hiebert Center for World Christianity and Global Theology

The mission of The Paul G. Hiebert Center for World Christianity and Global Theology is to embody the vision of Paul G. Hiebert (1932-2007), a long time faculty member at Trinity, to engage in missiological research that makes a difference in the academy, in our churches and mission organizations, and in the secular world. We also seek to promote strategic collaboration between North American and Majority World Christians for the advancement of the gospel and to facilitate the emergence of theological perspectives that are biblically faithful, contextually relevant, and which reflect global diversity in the Body of Christ.

The Center for Human Rights

The Center for Human Rights is a research, education, and advocacy center for the promotion and protection of international human rights. It is the Center’s mission to defend the Christian basis for human rights and make justice the prevailing condition in our world through research and educational facilities, classroom instruction, career development, and opportunities for participation in lectures, conferences, and seminars. Along with several human rights courses at Trinity Law School in Santa Ana, the Center sponsors international courses in Europe and Cambodia.