Aug. 16, 2010
For Immediate Release

By Christina Miller, office assistant

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.— “A vision without an action plan is merely a dream,” Dr. Don Mathis, president of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, said at Campbellsville University's fall Church Relations Council meeting Aug. 5.

“There are 4.2 million citizens in Kentucky; more than 2 million don't know Jesus,” Mathis said. “It is our assignment to make sure they have an opportunity to know Jesus.”

Mathis is looking for an awakening in Kentucky.

Campbellsville University was a part of over 150 new decisions for Christ through summer camps held at the university, and there were 250 total rededications and students called into ministry, according to Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University.

Another 72 decisions for salvation were made through Kentucky Heartland Outreach (KHO), a non-profit organization started by Campbellsville University that helps families in need by repairing their homes. Twelve of those decisions were made by homeowners.

Melissa Green, case manager with KHO, said, “Meeting a physical need also opens up a door for meeting a spiritual need.”

Carter also said there is a “great opportunity” at Campbellsville University for ministry because there are students who aren't believers. “Ministry here is important,” he said.

Ed Pavy, campus minister, hopes to reach students through Baptist Campus Ministry, which also sends students out on several mission trips, domestic and international, throughout the school year.

Kyle Caven, head men's and women's tennis coach and a graduate of Campbellsville University, shared his experience of a recent mission trip to the Dominican Republic. There he taught children the game of tennis and was able to share the love of the Lord with them.

Members of the Church Relations Council also attended the January Bible Study Preview where they learned about the “Red Hot Letter of Paul to the Galatians” by studying all six chapters of Galatians. The Bible study was taught by Dr. John Hurtgen, Dr. Ted Taylor and Dr. Shane Garrison, all theology professors at Campbellsville University.

Campbellsville University's Church Relations Council also elected the 2011 executive committee members. Those elected were the Rev. Mark Shelton, chair, pastor of Burkesville Baptist Church, Burkesville, Ky.; the Rev. Jay Hatfield, chair elect, director of missions at Central Baptist Association, Willisburg, Ky.; and Helen Henderson, secretary, Campbellsville, Ky.

Committee chairs elected were Dr. Mike O'Neal, academic chair, pastor of Hurstbourne Baptist Church, Louisville, Ky.; the Rev. Shelby Reynolds, campus ministries chair, pastor of Eubank Baptist Church, Eubank, Ky.; the Rev. Gerald Joiner, development chair, pastor of Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Louisville, Ky.; and the Rev. Wilburn Bonta, public relations chair, director of missions at Russell Creek Baptist Association, Greensburg, Ky.

Members at large are Dr. Lincoln Bingham, senior pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church at Shively Heights, Louisville, Ky.; Grace Bristow, Owensboro, Ky.; the Rev. Steve Sholar, pastor of Edgewood Baptist Church, Nicholasville, Ky.; and the Rev. Michael Caldwell, pastor of Pleasant Union Baptist Church, Campbellsville, Ky.

Former chairs are Anna Mary Byrdwell, Louisville, Ky.; the Rev. Matthew Smyzer, executive director of Baptist Fellowship Center, Louisville, Ky.; and the Rev. Dennis Bickers, southeast area resource minister of American Baptist Churches of Indiana and Kentucky, of Madison, Ind.

The Church Relations Council is a primary constituency organization providing support for the Christian higher education mission of Campbellsville University. Comprised of pastors, other church staff and key lay leaders, the CRC serves in an advisory capacity to the president and administration in maintaining closer relations between CU and area churches.

Established in 1978, the group meets twice annually while the CRC Executive Committee meets more regularly with the administration. CRC members assist the university in helping identify donors, helping recruit students, sponsoring key projects and programs and supporting the mission and core values of the institution.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 45 undergraduate programs, 16 master's degrees and five postgraduate areas. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.

Members of the 2010 Church Relations Council Executive Committee at Campbellsville University from left are: Front row - the Rev. Jay Hatfield, director of missions, Central Baptist Association, Willisburg, Ky.; Anna Mary Byrdwell, chair 2010, Louisville, Ky.; the Rev. Michael Caldwell, pastor of Pleasant Union Baptist Church, Campbellsville, Ky.; Grace Bristow, member at large, Owensboro, Ky.; and Helen Henderson, secretary, Campbellsville, Ky. Back row - the Rev. Wilburn Bonta, director of missions, Russell Creek Baptist Association, Greensburg, Ky.; the Rev. Shelby Reynolds, pastor of Eubank Baptist Church, Eubank, Ky.; the Rev. Dennis Bickers, southeast area resource minister, American Baptist Churches of Indiana and Kentucky, Madison, Ind.; the Rev. Mark Shelton, pastor of Burkesville Baptist Church, Burkesville, Ky., chair-elect 2010; the Rev. Matthew Smyzer, executive director, Baptist Fellowship Center, Louisville, Ky.; Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University; and the Rev. John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president at Campbellsville University. (Campbellsville University Photo by Christina Miller)