At the same time that Charles Selby was collaborating with church leaders in Santo Tomas, Isabela, to establish a new high school, Northern Isabela Academy, officials from a remote community further south, in San Guillermo, Isabela, offered to donate land for another high school, provided it could be built that same year. After prayerful consideration, Charles accepted this challenging opportunity. As he later remarked, “We didn’t have enough money to start one high school in 1967… so we started two.”

Once again, Charles arranged plans for a U-shaped building with three units, to be constructed sequentially. Trusting God’s provision as he had with previous ministry buildings, Charles initiated construction by faith. He hired teams to lay the foundation, and remarkably, donations and supplies arrived exactly as needed for each stage. By God’s grace, SIA opened its doors to students in 1967, simultaneously with NIA.

In the 57 years since opening day, SIA has produced over 4,600 graduates, and more than 3,850 students have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and have been baptized. The school’s evangelistic efforts have significantly impacted students’ families and friends, leading many to Christ and resulting in the establishment of 12 new churches in the surrounding area.

Over 50 SIA graduates have attended or graduated from Bible colleges, serving in full-time or part-time preaching and teaching ministries. Numerous other graduates have become influential leaders within their churches, communities, businesses, professions, and various areas of society. Wherever they live, these graduates have strengthened local churches with members and leaders grounded firmly in biblical truths.