LBU Global | Leadership
Continuing the vision of Dr. J.G. Tharpe and Dr. Neal Weaver, Dr. Gregory S. Lyons has served as President since 2022. Under Dr. Lyon’s guidance, LBU Global is continuing to embrace new educational paradigms and remains a leader in training 21st Century world changers to fulfill the Great Commission.
Dr. Gregory S. Lyons serves as the President of LBU Global, bringing over 25 years of leadership in ministry and Christian higher education. Prior to his presidency, Dr. Lyons founded and is still a part of several ministries in the Philippines: Community Baptist Church (1994); Global Surge urban church-planting ministry (1994), Global Life University (formerly Baptist Bible College Asia) (1999), Youth JAM/Hoop Heaven International (2000), Global Surge International School (2000), Kidz JAM (2003), Megacity Community Development International, Inc. (2005), Global Youth Revolution (2006), Non-Facility Dependent Urban Church Planting Strategy (2007), Global Missionary Clearinghouse (2017), S4 Conferences (2018).
president@lbu.edu
(318) 686-2360
Dr. Neal Weaver serves as Chancellor at LBU Global, bringing over 30 years of ministerial leadership and teaching experience. Dr. Weaver holds B.A., M.Th., and Th.D. degrees from Eastern Baptist Institute, a D.Min. degree from Baptist Christian University, and a Ph.D. from Holy Trinity Seminary.
Sandra Cory is rejoining the LBU Global team as Vice-President. She retired as Executive Vice-President in December of 2020, after serving the students of LBU Global for 31 years. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baptist Christian College, Master of Religious Education from North Tennessee Bible Institute and later was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters.
vice-president@lbu.edu
(318) 686-2360
Dr. Walter Swaim joined the Leadership team at LBU Global in 2023. He earned his M.Div. and Ph.D. from LBU Global. He brings with him the experiences of being a missionary in Argentina and to the Hispanics of South Florida for fifteen years and being a pastor for eighteen years.
Dr. Jay Foster joined LBU Global in January 2019 as the Director of Prisoner Ministry. In June 2019, he also became the Dean of Biblical Christian Counseling. He earned a B.A. with a double major in Christian Ministry and Behavioral Science from East Texas Baptist University, a Master of Divinity with
Biblical Languages from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Theology from Louisiana Baptist University (now LBU Global).
Dr. Misael Rodriguez joined LBU Global as the Director of Hispanic Department in 2022. He and his family immigrated to the United States in 2012. In 1993, he graduated from the Baptist Theological Seminary of Havana, Cuba, and pastored several church in the Western Cuban Baptist Convention. He also holds a Bachelor of Theology and a Master in Christian Ministries from Cuba. He has a Master in Theological Studies from SWBTS.
Dr. Jeff Price serves as the Dean of the Bible Department and the Latin America Director at LBU Global. With over two decades of missionary experience alongside his wife, Sandra, he has worked extensively in American Samoa and Bolivia. Since 2018, Jeff has been the Latin America Director for Baptist International Outreach, collaborating with missionaries across numerous Latin American regions. His passion lies in equipping pastors both in the United States and abroad, empowering them to lead their congregations in spreading the Gospel. Jeff plays an active and personal role in church ministries in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay, striving to advance the work of The Great Commission. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, in 1997, and holds a Master of Arts, Master of Divinity, and Master of Sacred Theology from Liberty University and Theological Seminary. Jeff and his wife, Sandra, have served the Lord together for 41 years and are both Veterans, having served in the US Navy. Jeff believes Sandra would trade him for her 2 dogs in a heartbeat!
McLean Jones became the Director of Operations in August 2025. He’s a husband of nearly 30 years and a father of eight. He has experience in technology and finance but spent the last decade in the Pastoral Ministry. He has a BA in Communication from Oregon State and a Masters in Christian Leadership from Liberty University Rawlings School of Divinity.
mjones@lbu.edu
(318) 686-2360
Dr. Edgar Trinidad has been an adjunct instructor for LBU Global for many years. He joined LBU Global as the Associate Dean of Counseling in 2023. He holds a B.A. in theology, an M.A. in counseling, and a Doctorate. He is a Certified Master Life Coach and Master Coach in Neuro-Linguistic Programming.
EdgarTrinidad@lbu.edu
(318) 686-2360
Dr. Rhenald Lagrimas is a dedicated Christian leader, educator, and community advocate based in Imus City, Cavite, Philippines. He has served as the Senior Pastor of Disciple 360 Ministries since 2009. Dr. Lagrimas is also the Principal of Damascus Educational Center of Scholars, overseeing academic and spiritual development. His educational background includes a Doctor of Divinity from Covenant School of Ministry and Divinity, USA, and multiple degrees in theology from various institutions. As the Regional Director of Fellowship of Christian Athletes Calabarzon, Dr. Lagrimas works to establish leaders and empower coaches across 19 cities. He is known for his work in translating the Bible into Tagalog, teaching, leadership development, being a life coach and event coordinator. Dr. Lagrimas lives with his family in Imus City, where he continues to make significant contributions to Christian leadership, education, and community service.
Jai Tibayan became the Registrar in February 2024. She ranked 8th nationwide in the Philippine Licensure Examination for Teachers out of more than 91,000 examinees. She earned her Bachelor of Elementary Education, major in Special Education, and became a licensed professional teacher in 2022. Jai also serves as a national lecturer, helping aspiring educators prepare for the board exam, and mentors students pursuing admission to top universities in the Philippines. Outside of work, she enjoys playing musical instruments and caring for her garden.
Dr. Gregory S. Lyons serves as the President of Louisiana Baptist University, bringing over 25 years of leadership in ministry and Christian higher education. Prior to his presidency, Dr. Lyons founded and is still a part of several ministries in the Philippines: Community Baptist Church (1994); Global Surge urban church-planting ministry (1994), Global Life University (formerly Baptist Bible College Asia) (1999), Youth JAM/Hoop Heaven International (2000), Global Surge International School (2000), Kidz JAM (2003), Megacity Community Development International, Inc. (2005), Global Youth
Revolution (2006), Non-Facility Dependent Urban Church Planting Strategy (2007), Global Missionary Clearinghouse (2017), S4 Conferences (2018).
Dr. Lyons holds the following degrees:
Dr. Lyons is a sought-after conference speaker around the world, averaging 20+ international speaking engagements per year, while maintaining his leadership roles. Dr. Lyons also has served or currently serves on several boards in the Philippines and in the USA, including Global Missionary Clearing House, Global Surge, Inc. 501(c)3, Medical Plaza Building Association, Inc., Reach Youth Global (RYG) 501(c)3, and the Rawlings Foundation.
