Louisiana Baptist University and Seminary held its 49th Commencement Exercise on Thursday, May 18, 2023. In addition to awarding 137 undergraduate, graduate, and seminary degrees, including 47 INSTEP degrees, LBU installed Greg Lyons, BBFI missionary to the Philippines, as the university’s third president.
Lyons follows Neal Weaver, president for the past thirty years. On behalf of the trustees, trustee chairman David Patrick honored Weaver with special recognition of his faithful service to the Lord and the school.
Upon installation, Lyons thanked God for the opportunity for service, paid tribute to Weaver’s faithful service, and shared his vision for the future. Lyons challenged everyone to have a true heart to reach the world, reminding the graduates and those in attendance that each one needed the Great Commission in his or her heart. He further explained how LBU does not simply want to create “Christian leaders but global leaders” to go forth with the Gospel.
Lyons described how LBU is a Great Commission University. As such, his goal includes creating a pipeline for over 100,000 men to serve as pastors internationally as graduates of LBU. Furthermore, he desires to extend the International Student Extension Program (INSTEP) dramatically.
Following the ceremony, there was a reception for Lyons and the graduates.
In addition to other dignitaries, Kevin Carson, Second Vice President of Education of the Baptist Bible Fellowship International, and Dave Melton, president of Boston Bible College, were recognized in the ceremony.
