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 was established as a private Christian liberal arts college intent on training students for service and leadership.
In our beginning, LBU 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 remains grounded in its biblical heritage and dedication to equipping students to fulfill the Great Commission.
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 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 East Coast Baptist College, bringing over 20 years of leadership in Christian higher education. Prior to his presidency, Dr. Lyons held various administrative roles at ECBC including Vice President of Academics and Dean of the School of Ministry.
Dr. Lyons received his Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from East Coast Baptist College, graduating summa cum laude. He went on to earn a Master of Divinity from Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Education from Andersonville Theological Institute.
Beyond his administrative expertise, Dr. Lyons has contributed to academia through teaching, mentoring students, and published works. He has taught theology, biblical counseling, and homiletics courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. His academic commentaries and articles have appeared in various ministry journals and publications.
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.
vice-president@lbu.edu | (318) 686-2360
academic@lbu.edu | (318) 686-2360
counseling@lbu.edu | (318) 686-2360
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.
espanol@lbu.edu | (318) 686-2360
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!
jprice@lbu.edu | (318) 686-2360
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.
counseling@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.
rlagrimas@lbu.edu | (318) 686-2360
Jai became the Registrar in February 2024. In the Philippines, she ranked 8th overall in a competition. She holds a Bachelor of Elementary Education with a major in Special Education and passed the Board of Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers in 2022.
registrar@lbu.edu | (318) 686-2360
Amy is our newest addition to the team at LBU, handling multiple tasks as an Administrative Assistant, including assistant to the Director of Prison Ministries, Administrative Assistant to the Deans, Student & Office Financials, and Assistant Registrar. She and her husband moved to Shreveport from Oregon and have two wonderful kids and one spoiled old dog. Amy is co-owner of her and her husband’s trucking company as well. She is an LBU student, enjoys her family, serving in her church, traveling and learning about historical sites, horseback riding, kayaking and outdoors, and being engaged in several civic organizations.
awhite@lbu.edu | (318) 686-2360
Jai became the Registrar in February 2024. In the Philippines, she is a National Topnotcher with a rank of 8 and an overall rating of 93%. She holds a Bachelor of Elementary Education with a major in Special Education and passed the Board of Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers in 2022.
registrar@lbu.edu | (318) 686-2360
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.
Louisiana Baptist University (LBU) is an affiliated institution of the Baptist Bible Fellowship International (BBFI).
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!
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
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
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.
