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About LBU Global

Leading the Way in Christian Education for Over 50 Years

For over 50 years, LBU has embraced new educational paradigms and remains a leader in training 21st Century world changers. Join us and experience the LBU difference.

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Our History

LBU Global (formerly Louisiana Baptist University) was founded in 1973 with the mission to provide faith-based higher education that integrates biblical principles across academic disciplines. Emerging from the vision of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, LBU Global was established as a private Christian liberal arts college intent on training students for service and leadership.

In our beginning, LBU Global focused on education degrees to prepare future pastors and teachers. Over the decades, the curriculum expanded to include Christian Counseling and Leadership degrees. Even with our changes, LBU Global remains grounded in its biblical heritage and dedication to equipping students to fulfill the Great Commission.

Doctrinal Statement

In 1973, LBU Global (formerly Louisiana Baptist University) was founded on the Word of God. Today, LBU Global continues to stand on the inspired, inerrant Word of God, in its entirety, as our authority in an age of ideological and theological compromise.

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LBU Global is founded on the following doctrines. We believe...

  • In the verbal, plenary inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of the Scriptures; that the Bible reveals God, the fall of man, the way to receive salvation, and God’s plan and purpose in the past, present, and in eternity.
  • In the Holy Trinity—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
  • In the deity, virgin birth, and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  • That the conditions of salvation are repentance and faith. That people are justified by faith alone and are accounted righteous before God only through the merit of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
  • That all may receive salvation and that all believers are eternally secure.
  • In the everlasting, conscious reward for the saved and the everlasting, conscious punishment of the lost.
  • In the visible, personal, pretribulation, and premillennial return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • That the New Testament church is a local body of baptized believers who are covenanted together to fulfill the Great Commission.
  • In the ordinance of baptism by immersion of the believer in water, by the authority of the local church, to show the death and burial of the old life, and resurrection to walk in the new life of the Christian.
  • In the Lord’s Supper as an ordinance to be observed by the local church in the church’s capacity to show forth the central importance of the Lord’s death, Resurrection and Second Coming.
  • In the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally and not allegorically or figuratively. That God created all life forms and established divine law that all things shall bring forth only “after their own kind.”
  • In the biblical description of the existence of Satan, the adversarial spirit, who acts as tempter and accuser and who is an enemy of the work of God in Creation and human affairs.
  • That God gives spiritual gifts to all believers for the edification of the church and the building up of the body of Christ.

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.

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Dr. Gregory S. Lyons

President

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).
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Office Contact

president@lbu.edu | (318) 686-2360

Dr. Neal Weaver, PH.D., D.D

Chancellor

Dr. Neal Weaver serves as Chancellor at Louisiana Baptist University, 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

Vice-President

Sandra Cory is rejoining the LBU team as Vice-President.  She retired as Executive Vice-President in December of 2020, after serving the students of LBU 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.

Contact

vice-president@lbu.edu | (318) 686-2360

Dr. Walter Swaim

Academic Dean

Dr. Walter Swaim joined the Leadership team at LBU in 2023. He earned his M.Div. and Ph.D. from LBU. 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.

Contact

academic@lbu.edu | (318) 686-2360

Dr. Jay Foster

Dr. Jay Foster joined LBU 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.

Contact

counseling@lbu.edu | (318) 686-2360

Dr. Misael Rodriguez

Director of Hispanic Department

Dr. Misael Rodriguez joined LBU 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.

Contact

espanol@lbu.edu | (318) 686-2360

Dr. Jeff Price

Dean of Biblical Studies

Dr. Jeff Price serves as the Dean of the Bible Department and the Latin America Director at Louisiana Baptist University. 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!

Contact

jprice@lbu.edu | (318) 686-2360

McLean Jones

Director of Operation

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.

Contact

counseling@lbu.edu | (318) 686-2360

Dr. Edgar Trinidad

Associate Dean of Counseling

Dr. Edgar Trinidad has been an adjunct instructor for LBU for many years. He joined LBU 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.

Contact

counseling@lbu.edu | (318) 686-2360

Dr. Rhenald Lagrimas

Resident Scholar of Biblical Languages

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.

Contact

rlagrimas@lbu.edu | (318) 686-2360

Jai Tibayan

Registrar

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.

Contact

registrar@lbu.edu | (318) 686-2360

Dean of Christian Counseling
Dean of Seminary

Accreditation

We are proudly accredited by ASIC, a prestigious global accreditation firm. Additionally, LBU is registered with the Louisiana Board of Regents, authorized to grant degrees, and subjected to an annual review. Beyond these credentials, LBU undergoes rigorous peer reviews with partner institutions, consistently maintaining the highest standards of academic rigor and excellence. Join us, and you will be proud to become an alum of LBU!
 
LBU is registered with the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), an organization accrediting schools across the USA and foreign countries.

Affiliations

Southern Baptist Convention

Louisiana Baptist University proudly maintains a strong affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) through our integral relationship with the North Louisiana Baptist Association and our active involvement in the Conservative Baptist Network. This affiliation underscores our unwavering commitment to the values and mission of the SBC, enhancing our dedication to providing a faith-based education rooted in the Holy Bible.

Baptist Bible Fellowship International

Louisiana Baptist University (LBU) is an affiliated institution of the Baptist Bible Fellowship International (BBFI).

World Baptist Fellowship

Louisiana Baptist University (LBU) is affiliated with the World Baptist Fellowship (WBF).
 
The WBF is a global fellowship comprising pastors, churches, missionaries, and educational institutions, dedicated to the mission of evangelism, discipleship, and church planting worldwide.

Mission Agency Affiliation

LBU is a great place to learn about becoming a cross-cultural missionary! The following agencies have approved LBU’s Missions MasterClass Certification Program as meeting their requirements for approval!

Central Missionary Clearinghouse

Central Missionary Clearinghouse (CMC) serves over 850 missionary families on every continent! CMC services donations from 9,000 USA churches. Thousands of global based churches. LBU partners with CMC in helping missionaries strengthen their education to better serve in the various nations represented. The Missions MasterClass Certification Program has been welcomed by CMC to strengthen missionary training. For more information, visit www.cmcmissions.org
 

BBFI Missions

The BBFI Mission Office serves over 700 missionaries in over 80 countries around the world, over 4,000 US churches and over 20,000 churches outside the US. The LBU missions courses are approved by the BBFI Mission Office to meet the educational requirements for Career Missionary Approval. For more information, visit www. bbfimissions.com

Global Missionary Clearinghouse

LBU partners with the Global Missionary Clearinghouse (GMC). GMC focuses on sending non-western missionaries to nations that are difficult to reach. Through our partnership, we equip missionaries to serve nations that traditionally would be resistant to western influences. GMC serves over 150 missionary families. For more information, visit www.gmcmissions.org 

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Dr. Gregory S. Lyons

President

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:

  • A.A. in Missions, Baptist Bible College West, Denver, CO
  • B.A. in Biblical Studies, Louisiana Baptist University
  • B.S. in Biblical Studies, Baptist Bible College, Springfield, MO
  • M.B.A. from Louisiana Baptist University
  • Ph.D. in Communication and Leadership, Louisiana Baptist University
 

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.

Office Contact

president@lbu.edu | (318) 686-2360

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Dr. Mark Conn

Vice-President

Mark Conn is the Vice President of LBU and divides his time between Shreveport and the picturesque Ozark Mountains of southwest Missouri. With a career spanning over three decades in higher education, Mark has helped shape the minds and hearts of countless ministry students. His teaching portfolio encompasses a range of subjects, including Bible studies, Biblical Prophecy, Christian Ministry, Cultural Engagement, and Pastoral Studies. One of his foremost passions lies in guiding students to wrestle with the authentic message of the Bible, steering them away from interpretations based in cultural tradition. Mark is a sought-after contributor to various international publications, as well as radio programs and podcasts. His insights span an array of topics, from biblical prophecy to the intricate interplay between faith and culture, and even the enigmatic supernatural aspects within the pages of the Bible. In addition to his work in education, he has dedicated a significant portion of his career to church revitalization. Over the years he has worked with churches of various sizes and cultural settings to help them overcome challenges and reinvigorate their congregations. As a consultant in church revitalization, he has helped churches identify their strengths and weaknesses, develop strategies for growth, and implement effective outreach programs. He believes God’s desire is for every church to thrive, and he is committed to helping them fulfill the Great Commission. Beyond his professional endeavors, Mark boasts a diverse range of interests including writing, technology, cooking, old car restomodding, overlanding in a modified Jeep WJ, and embraces the title of a “coffee snob.”

Contact

mconn@lbu.edu | (318) 686-2360
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