Louisiana Baptist University (LBU, originally called Baptist Christian University) is an unaccredited theologically conservative Christian university, founded in 1973, located at 6301 Westport Avenue in Shreveport, Louisiana. LBU has both an on-campus program and a distance education program which primarily teaches subjects pertaining to the Bible and Baptist theology. Classes are grouped in five areas: School of Biblical Studies, School of Communications,(Music,Creative writing) School of Counseling, School of Christian Education, and Theological Seminary. Distance education courses are offered by mail and via web-based delivery. LBU began in 1973 as Baptist Christian University as part of the Baptist Tabernacle, offering distance education so that full-time ministers could complete degrees without leaving their pastorates. The founding minister was Jimmy G. Tharpe (1930–2008), who during his career established some seventy-five Independent Baptist churches in Louisiana and Texas, and the secondary school, Baptist Christian Academy. The trustees restructed the LBU charter in February 1993 and changed the name to Louisiana Baptist University.