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MOUNT VERNON, Ga. – Ergun Caner has stepped aside as president of Brewton-Park College.
Speaking to a packed room of trustees and others, Caner informed the board that the suicide of his 15-year-old son, Braxton, was still taking a toll on his ability to lead in his role. Caner said he plans to move back to Texas to continue healing with his wife and 10-year-old son, Drake.
“Brewton-Parker College cannot become a healthy, growing and stable college under the leadership of a man who is broken,” Caner said in a statement. “And I am admitting to you that I am broken. I can’t get over his death, and I am not sure I want to. I do know that I cannot muster the fight needed to be the leader of our college. My family and my heart need healing, and you deserve better.”
The college originally was informed it had lost its accreditation on June 2014 but regained accreditation later that year after launching an appeals process, administrators were told on Sept. 29 that it would remain an accredited member on probation as additional information was being prepared for reconsideration.
Caner became president of the school on Dec. 2, 2013, and six months later the school was informed it had lost its accreditation.
However, the college launched an appeals process and was told on Sept. 29 it would remain an accredited member on probation while more information was being prepared for reconsideration.
A week after Caner celebrated his first anniversary as president, the school learned the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College had reversed its decision and had reaffirmed the accreditation of the school that is affiliated with the Georgia Baptist Convention.
Luter named to ERLC council
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention has named Fred Luter as a member of its new Leadership Network Council.
Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, is one of 40 Southern Baptist pastors and lay leaders across the U.S. who will serve as an advisory council to the ERLC Leadership Network for the duration of 2015.
Launched in January 2014, the Leadership Network is a movement of men and women – leaders, pastors and lay people – who desire to join the ERLC’s efforts to apply the gospel of the kingdom to the major cultural issues of our day.
Members of the Council will serve an annual term and will be equipped by the ERLC throughout the year through conference calls and events, while providing direction for the Network and occasional content for erlc.com. All Council members either currently are serving or have previously served in pastoral ministry.
LC welcomes alumni services director
PINEVILLE – Kathy Overturf has joined the Louisiana College staff as director of alumni services.
Succeeding long-time director Luana Cunningham, Overturf comes from Haik Humble Eye Center in West Monroe, where she was a certified ophthalmic technician.
A 1980 graduate of LC, Cunningham was active in campus life, serving as homecoming queen, an LC Darling and member of the singing group Common Good (now Voices of LC).
From 1980-1985, Cunningham was an admissions counselor and assistant director of admissions at the school.
Supreme Court to rule on same-sex marriage
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court will review an appeals court decision on same-sex marriage.
The high court announced Jan. 16 it would hear oral arguments in March or April and likely issue an opinion on the issue before adjourning for the summer.
Depending on the justices’ decision, gay marriage could be legal throughout the country by the end of June or states could maintain their authority to define marriage as only between a man and a woman.
Advocates on both sides of the issue recognized the importance of the high court’s order.
Possible LifeWay property sale moves forward
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – LifeWay Christian Resources is moving forward with the possible sale of its property in downtown Nashville.
The decision comes after results from a feasibility study confirmed the idea of selling the ministry’s 14.5-acre campus and relocating to facilities more suited for the future of the company. LifeWay has had conversations with local, regional and national entities about selling the property and accepted offers through mid-January.
Thom Rainer, CEO and president of the company, said LifeWay has a strong preference to stay in the downtown area.
The company is looking at several pieces of property in the area as potential sites to construct a new building.
“Most of our current space was designed and built in the middle of the last century and for a much different work environment,” Rainer said. “We need a workplace designed to support the technologies, collaboration, and culture needed for today’s and tomorrow’s successful national and international ministry.”