formation for lifelong discipleship
A Bible-centered gap year program equipping students for Christ's Kingdom & Mission.
Legacy Bible Institute is an immersive, Bible-centered gap-year program based in Smithville, Ohio. Legacy is meant for young adults who want to be more deeply grounded in God’s Word and more clearly equipped for a life of faithfulness. Through the study of Scripture, spiritual formation, and practical discipleship within the context of a strong and intimate Christian community, Legacy helps students grow in faith, discern God’s calling, and step into their next season with Gospel purpose.
YEARLY COSTS
$10.5k/year
Cost includes all classes, lodging, groceries, field trips, and more. We do our best to keep costs affordable, and sponsorships are also available.
PROGRAM LENGTH
August-May
Legacy's program is two semesters in length with breaks that mostly follow a typical academic schedule.
PRIMARY AGE GROUP
Young Adults
Legacy is primarily intended for young adults in transitional phases of life, such as between high school and college, or during the college years. Most of our students are ages 18-25.
OUR FOCUS
Legacy Essentials
A Gap Year In God's Word
Legacy Bible Institute is more than just a Bible study program—it’s a transformative experience designed to deepen one’s walk with Christ. Established in 2011, Legacy is a two-semester discipleship program that takes students through every book of the Bible while equipping them with a strong foundation in the Christian worldview, the spiritual disciplines, and practical ministry experience.
At Legacy, we believe that learning and doing go hand in hand. Mornings are spent in interactive classes, where Scripture comes alive through dynamic discussion. Afternoons are dedicated to personal study, mentoring, and praxis—hands-on ministry opportunities where students apply what they’ve learned through outreach, youth ministry, and other real-world discipleship experience. Evenings and weekends provide time for worship, fellowship, and serving in the local church.
Whether you’re exploring your faith more deeply or preparing for a life of ministry, Legacy offers a structured yet flexible environment where you can grow, serve, and be shaped by God’s Word in a community of like-minded believers.
Our Students
Legacy is designed for young adults at a transitional point in life who desire to grow in grace, wisdom, and their understanding of Christ. Most of our students fall within the 18-25 age range, and come from various stages of life:
- Recent high school graduates looking for a gap-year program that will strengthen their faith before going to college or entering a career;
- Young adults seeking biblical grounding for future ministry;
- Those already involved in church ministry who desire deeper discipleship and formation for serving where God has planted them.
Legacy is designed to equip, challenge, and encourage you in your walk with Christ. If you’re eager to grow, serve, and be discipled, Legacy is for you.
What Sets Us Apart
Legacy Bible Institute is not just about gaining knowledge—it’s about building a life firmly rooted in Christ. Here’s why Legacy might be the perfect next step for you:
- Strengthen Your Faith – Establish a firm foundation in God’s Word as the ultimate guide for life, faith, and joyful Christian living.
- Grow in Biblical Confidence – Develop a strong Christian worldview and learn how to confidently share and defend your faith.
- Prepare for the Next Big Step – Before moving into your “next chapter”, spend a year in an intentional Christian community - learning, serving, and growing with other committed believers.
- Discover Your Calling – Explore your talents and interests through hands-on ministry work, prayerful reflection, and thoughtful exploration of various “next steps”
- Be Transformed – Through one-on-one mentoring, intentional discipleship, and spiritual disciplines, see how God will shape you to become more like Christ in your everyday life.
- Make Lasting Friendships – Surround yourself with like-minded believers and build deep friendships that will encourage you for years to come.
If you’re looking for a meaningful, life-changing year where you’ll grow spiritually, academically, and personally, Legacy is for you.
In the Heart of Ohio
Legacy classes and housing are located in Smithville (Wayne County), Ohio. This is a beautiful, semi-rural area with many nearby attractions and experiences. Students stay in separate male and female housing, with a staff RA, and attend classes on the upper floor of our ministry offices.
Our founders,
Richard & Margie Jankov, began their marriage with dreams of starting a Bible school that could offer intensive discipleship and worldview training for young adults who are at a critical point in their lives. Shortly after following God’s call to move from Arizona to Wooster, Ohio, they founded
Upward Bound Youth in 1997 as a Christian nonprofit focused on “teaching truth, equipping youth”. After years of organizing various youth programs and mentoring countless youth, in 2011, the dream of opening a Bible school came to fruition with the opening of
Legacy Bible Institute. Since its beginning, Legacy has been extending UBY’s overall mission by grounding young adults in the Truth of a biblical worldview and equipping them for lifelong discipleship. We firmly believe that a gap year anchored in God’s Word and discipleship will help raise up the next generation of passionate Christ-followers who are ready to pour their lives into furthering God’s kingdom and advancing the gospel within their families, churches, and communities.
Intentionally Small
Legacy classes typically have no more than twelve students each year, though our program is steadily growing. We prefer smaller class sizes as it can help improve learning retention and create room for deeper relationships.
Biblically Grounded
Our instructors love God's Word, and have a heart to help students love it, too. Students will read through the whole Bible in two semesters, as well as memorize portions of Scripture.
Hands-On Ministry
Legacy is an immersive ministry experience. Not only do students receive Biblical training, they also receive hands-on service opportunities to put what they are learning into practice.
Check out our Student and Parent questionnaires to help determine whether Legacy would be a good next step:
Experience a day in the life of a Legacy students, tour our classroom, visit the lodging areas, and meet our Legacy instructors at our next Preview Day!
OUR FOUNDATIONAL VERSE
