The history of Sunset International Bible Institute is a rich one. It reveals and reminds us of God's blessings over the years, while pointing toward a present and future that are full of momentum and promise.

Inception and 1960s

In 1962, returning missionary Cline Paden established a preacher training school in Lubbock with the help of West Texas church leaders. The school was initially named Latin American Bible School, having as its objective the training of Spanish-speaking preachers. The first class started with six students.

The following year the elders of the Sunset Church of Christ in Lubbock accepted oversight of the school. It was moved into the facilities of the Sunset church and was renamed West Texas Bible School. In 1964 the name was changed again to the now well-known Sunset School of Preaching (SSOP). Instruction was now given for both English- and Spanish-language preachers.

By 1969 the student body had swelled to more than 175 students. A number of teachers joined the staff in these early years to help instruct the growing numbers who came to be equipped. They included Ed Wharton, Richard Rogers, Abe Lincoln, Tex Williams, Parker Henderson, and Dayton Keesee. In addition, the Sunset church added the East Wing and basement to its facilities to accommodate the growth.

1970s

The 1970s saw the school extend its work into additional methods of ministry training. The school began its Extension School department to offer SSOP courses via correspondence. In 1973 the Adventures In Missions (AIM) program was started for college-age young people.

Later in the decade, the school graduated its first female students. The Deaf Program began in 1977 under the direction of Hollis Maynard. Spanish-speaking training continued, and departments were established for training in Slavic and Chinese languages.

The 1000th student graduated in 1978. A number of new teachers made their first appearances on SSOP staff during the 1970s, including Ted Kell, Richard Baggett, Gerald and Bobbie Paden, Nat Cooper, Jim McGuiggan, Ian Fair, Ted Stewart, Norman Gipson, and Doyle Gilliam.

1980s

By 1980 student enrollment had topped 300 annually. Waning G.I. benefits, however, significantly affected school enrollment during the following years. Students continued to come for training, and new faces on the SSOP faculty included Charles Cook, Bob Anderson, Truman Scott, Jim Stamatis, Truitt Adair, and Charles Speer. In addition, a new library and office addition was built with funds raised by alumni.

During this time God worked to present the school with increasing opportunities in foreign nations. Materials from the SSOP Extension School were used in preacher training schools in places like Canada and Guyana.

In 1984 the school purchased a place for the training of missionaries in the heart of Mexico City – the famed "Pink House." The following year, groups of AIM and SSOP students participated in the first annual student trips to Mexico City.

1990s

The school's fourth decade was characterized by a flurry of growth and exciting new initiatives. In 1990 the Extension School started translating courses into a number of foreign languages. 1992 saw the introduction of the Small Church Growth Workshop and the establishment of a video studio for the school. The Senior AIM program was started in 1994, and in 1998 a planned effort commenced to develop international branch schools.

All of this growth in the school brought about a number of notable organizational changes. In 1993, Cline Paden "passed the torch" to Truitt Adair, who became Director of the school, while Cline continued on as Chancellor. The school's name changed to Sunset International Bible Institute (SIBI) in 1995 to reflect its growing worldwide involvement in God's kingdom. A reorganization followed in 1998 that structured the school in three divisions: Residential Studies, External Studies, and International Studies.

The school grew in a number of other ways during this decade as well. AIM had its largest class to date in 1993, with 84 students. By 1995 there were 87 women enrolled in various programs. By 1996 the school's library boasted 14,000 "hand-picked" volumes. The school's 2000th graduate walked the stage in 1997. New faculty members during this time included Jay Jarboe, Stuart Jones, Bobby Hise, Tim Brumfield, Ron Bontrager, Kris Smith, and Terry and Terri Fanning.