FBI Supervisory Special Agent Frank Nivar, who doubles as a Christian lay preacher in his personal life, will be the guest preacher Sunday at Bethlehem Baptist Church.
Time of the service is 11 a.m. at the church located at 3902 Highway 158.
Nivar, of the FBI’s Raleigh office, is a personal friend of Bethlehem's Pastor Francis Kyle. He participated in Kyle's pastoral installation service in November 2019.
Social distancing and other coronavirus precautions will be observed.
"We are excited to hear the word of God preached from a man who — because of his profession and his own life before he became a Christian at age 21 — is fully aware of the effect and devastation that sin towards God and others has on people's lives," Kyle stated. "Yet our New York City-native guest preacher also personally knows and has witnessed the hope, healing, forgiveness, life transformation and positive societal effect that can take place when the grace and love of God invades and is embraced by a repentant moral and legal lawbreaker. This is especially so among youth and young adults, he informs me."
As a fall 2019 graduate of the 9-week, 30-hour FBI Citizens Academy, Kyle is a member of the FBI Charlotte Chapter Citizens Academy Alumni Association, with a division in Raleigh. According to their website, the academy was established in 2005 and is a 501c3 non-profit organization.
It is a community-based and supported organization, distinct and separate from the FBI which is designed to promote a safer community through community service projects with particular emphasis on equipping the public with safety initiatives and resources; educating local communities about federal law enforcement issues and challenges; and supporting FBI sponsored information programs.
And according to the FBI Community Relations Unit online page, the FBI Citizens Academy programs give business, religious, civic and community leaders an inside look into the FBI.
Its mission is to foster a greater understanding of the role of federal law enforcement in the community through frank discussion and education. Candidates are nominated by FBI employees, former citizens academy graduates, and community leaders. Participants are selected by the special agent in charge of the local FBI field office.
Prior to moving to Halifax County, Kyle was also a graduate and then member — 2016-19 — of the Louisville Metro Police Department's Police Citizens Academy Alumni Association, and LMPD's Volunteers In Police Service.
He has no law enforcement background. "I just like to be active outside of the church walls and to do my part to increase public safety while protecting from harm my congregants, neighbors, the elderly, children and the vulnerable," Kyle stated.
His other interests in community activism are in the areas of history, healthcare and motorcycling.
For more information about Bethlehem Baptist Church, visit its website at this link or contact Pastor Kyle at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or 252-308-4082 regarding church or FBI Citizens Academy matters.
