Feb. 5, 2010

For Immediate Release

By Maggie Argenbright, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE Ky., — “A Conversation on Reconciliation Strategies in the Public Arena” is the topic that will be discussed at the Kentucky Heartland Institute on Public Policy (KHIPP) event featuring Dr. Lincoln N. Bingham and Dr. D. Leslie Hollon Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. at Campbellsville University's Banquet Hall in the Badgett Academic Support Center located at 110 University Drive, Campbellsville.

            Bingham has been the pastor of the West End Baptist Church and the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church for a combined 45 years. He has faithfully proclaimed the love of Jesus and has led both congregations into creative and exciting ministries to their communities.

            Bingham is superintendant of Missions for the General Association of Kentucky Baptists and works to strengthen the educational and missions work.  He is also Director of the Baptist Fellowship Center.

            He has been a consultant with the Kentucky Baptist Convention, helping the KBC learn how to work with African-American Baptists to reach all people with the reconciling love of God.

            He currently holds positions as Black Church Development Consultant, Kentucky Baptist Convention/Missionary Associate - African American Church Planting Unit, Southern Baptist Convention; Co-Chairperson of the Greater Louisville Christian Reconciliation Ministries, Inc; and a member of the steering committee of Reconciliation Networks of Our World, and a instructor at Simmons College of Kentucky.

            Hollon is senior pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas, and former pastor at St. Matthews Baptist Church in Louisville since 1994. He is a pastor, preacher, professor and writer.

            Dr. Wayne Oates, an internationally known psychologist and religious educator, called Hollon “a reconciliation artist.”

            Hollon writes in areas of Christian faith and practice and has contributed to ten books and several periodicals. He is also a contributing blogger at www.makethedayscount.com. His most recent book release was “Christian Reconciliatin ministries: Healing Hurts and Building Hope.”

            Hollon is a global strategist for Reconciliation Networks of Our World and a leader with the Baptist World alliance, among other organizations.

            He received his doctor of philosophy, master of theology and master of divinity degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1984, 1981 and 1979, respectively, and his bachelor of arts from Baylor University in Waco, Texas in 1976.

            John Chowning, founder of KHIPP and who serves as vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president of Campbellsville University, said KHIPP focuses its attention on “facilitating public policy study and issues debate, while encouraging the involvement of Christian leaders in the public and civic arenas.”

            Chowning said a “wide range of public issues will be studied and presented by the institute for the purposes of engaging Campbellsville University students, faculty and the staff, and the general public, in a greater awareness and understanding of the myriad issues confronting our culture.”

            He said KHIPP is committed to preparing Christian civic and political leaders for the 21st century.

            “A greater awareness of the public policy process and understanding of the numerous issues being debated in our nation is essential for the citizenry as a whole,” Chowning said.

            “KHIPP invites you, the concerned citizen and student of the American political process, to attend one or more events to be presented this spring on the campus of Campbellsville University,” he said.

            All events are free and open to the public.

            Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 3,006 students who represent 97 Kentucky counties, 30 states and 37 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report's 2010 “America's Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 23rd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South, tied for fifth in “most international students” and fourth in “up-and-coming” schools in baccalaureate colleges in the South. CU has been ranked 17 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America's Best Christian Colleges® and to G.I. Jobs magazine as a Military Friendly School. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his 11th year as president.

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