Campbellsville University to Host Owens, Bishop for African-American History Month

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Dr. Joseph Owens

• Sherre Miller Bishop

CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY (01/10/2011)(readMedia)-- Jan. 11, 2011 For Immediate Release

Campbellsville University to celebrate African-American History Month

By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville University will be celebrating African-American History Month with two speakers Feb. 2 and Feb. 15.

Both events are free and open to the public.

Dr. Joseph Owens, senior pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Lexington, will speak at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2 for the university's regular weekly chapel service in Ransdell Chapel at 401 N. Hoskins Ave., Campbellsville.

Owens' address is titled "Don't Quit" with text from Joshua 14:6-15.

Nashville dramatist Sherre Miller Bishop will perform "From the Motherland to the Promised Land" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, also in Ransdell Chapel.

"Campbellsville University is celebrating African American History Month with two excellent events. Dr. Joe Owens' has a compelling life story and amazing Christian witness. The presentation by Sherre Miller Bishop is a powerful dramatic monologue on the black experience in this country. Both events are well worth the time of the general public and CU faculty, staff and students," John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president, said.

Owens is vice chair of the CU Board of Trustees, former chair of the CU Church Relations Council and a 1977 graduate of Campbellsville University.

Owens has served as Senior Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church since 1999.

He previously served as pastor of churches in Indiana and Kentucky.

Owens serves as chairman of the Black Church Coalition of the Bluegrass in Lexington and as moderator of the Consolidate District Baptist Association.

Owens graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1980 with two master's degrees: a master of divinity and a master of religious education. In 2000, he graduated from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio with a doctor of ministry.

"Dr. Joe Owens is one of the great pulpiteers and is a leader in many areas of Kentucky," Chowning said.

Bishop is an award-winning dramatist and is celebrated as an anointed and versatile performer and speaker, Chowning said.

She will be performing "From the Motherland to the Promise Land," a performance that brings to life the African-American worship experience from slavery to today. The experience evokes various emotions-remembrances, tears, sorrow, laughter, pride and fond memories of the faith of African-Americans through trials and tribulations.

The drama is a spiritual, educational and rejuvenating experience, Chowning said.

Bishop's Christian drama ministry takes her across the United States sharing her gifts. Besides drama, her professional skill set includes public relations, media coordination and voice-over talent.

A news brief anchor and public affairs director at WB-channel 58 until 1999, her extensive background in television and radio news reporting includes stints in Milwaukee, Raleigh, Memphis and Nashville, and well as a local stringer for the Washington-based BET News.

She holds a bachelor's degree in speech communications, a master's in English from Tennessee State University, and graduated magna cum laude from American Baptist College with a Th.B. in Bible theology.

"Mrs. Bishop is a member of Toastmasters, Nashville chapter, and is a sought after speaker, orator and performer," Chowning said.

For information about these performances, contact Chowning at jechowning@campbellsville.edu or at 270-789-5520.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 63 undergraduate programs, 17 master's degrees and five postgraduate areas. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.

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