Fwd: Louisiana Baptist University
Billy Hamm
Dr. Neal Weaver, President
LBU REPORT
As you are aware, over the past 15 years Louisiana Baptist University has experienced unprecedented growth.
During those years, we have revised and re-revised our curriculum, acquired a first class staff, expanded and increased our degree programs, bought and developed a new campus, and established the University as a well-respected and well-recognized school.
LBU now serves approximately 1,400 students in over 40 countries.
Globally, our INSTEP program works with missionaries to establish tuition free Bible institutes in third world countries. We now have 36 schools in 25 countries. Hundreds are being trained that, without INSTEP, would never be able to acquire a college degree. These INSTEP schools are run by Fellowship missionaries and most of the graduates will plant churches with ties to the Fellowship.
In countries that could use a 100 missionaries, we are often only able to send 4 or 5. We can never send a hundred missionaries, but the good news is that we can train a hundred national pastors through our INSTEP institutes.
Mike Peper recently visited my office; his school in Sierra Leone is doing well. He now has 25 – 30 students. This year he will have his first graduation. Five students will receive LBU diplomas. He explained that the government only allows him to operate his school because of his connection to LBU through INSTEP. I have heard similar stories from other missionaries.
Because we have prospered and not had a crisis, many people assume that we don’t need help. May I share with you that with the economic recession affecting so many of our students, the last two years have been a struggle. We have always been able to make budget, barely, through careful management and sacrifice. For the last two years we have had to invest $50,000 out of our general fund into the INSTEP program. That was hard to come by, but I feel that it is too important a ministry to neglect.
I know that our other schools have struggled financially. I certainly understand taking care of them first, but fellows, I also need your help. We do what we do gladly, but if we are to continue to grow and reach out worldwide we need your help.
As you plan your mission giving for 2014, please consider LBU, whether it is a one-time gift or a small monthly offering it all counts and any amount will be appreciated.
MERRY CHRISTMAS