Dedicated to French ministry; Chickasaw survives Paris terrorist attack

This article appeared in the January 2016 edition of the Chickasaw Times

PARIS – The ground shook under the Stade de France in Paris on Friday, Nov. 13. Chickasaw citizen Colby Corsaut knew something was wrong.

Mr. Corsaut was in the Stade de France to watch the France v. Germany soccer match when two explosions occurred just outside the stadium. The shocking event was one out of the six terrorist attacks that took place across Paris that day. A total of 129 people died.

“It’s a pivotal time in to be serving others in Europe,” Mr. Corsaut said.

The terrorist bombs that exploded outside the central Paris stadium were probably meant for inside the stadium, where thousands awaited the soccer match.

“There was this echoing bomb that went through the stadium and waves of people making noise in response to the loud noise,” Mr. Corsaut said.

He recalled his friend commenting the noise was from a cannon and that it could possibly be part of the entertainment of the game. Despite his friend’s remark, he said he knew something was wrong.

“Usually, if there is a cannon set off at a game, it’s after a monumental period of the game,” Mr. Corsaut said. “Plus, there weren’t any cannons on the field.”

When the second bomb went off, he felt the ground shake. As he was leaving the stadium, he saw people running for their lives. After leaving the stadium and making their way home, Mr. Corsaut and his friends found themselves just two blocks away from another terrorist attack.

“It doesn’t change my calling and what God led us here to do,” Mr. Corsaut said. “We are here to help build young leaders and build the community. A part of ethos and passion is that we add value to any community we are in and wherever we plant a family. We want to be servants to this community, to add value and to bless it.”

Despite the national trauma experienced by the French, and the personal stress of being so close to a terrorist event, Mr. Corsaut said he remains dedicating to completing his mission to serve others.

Mr. Corsaut has aspirations to change the world. In pursuit of his mission to serve others in need, he and his family moved to France. Immersing himself in French language and culture every day, he has learned to be aware of his surroundings due to the recent attacks in Paris.

He attends the French Language School “Les Cedres” with assistance from the Chickasaw Nation Career Technology Program. Les Cedres has been in operation since 1975 and accepts ministers and others from around the world who are interested in learning French in a Christian setting.

Prior to moving to Paris with his wife and children, Mr. Corsaut lived in Kingston, Okla. He graduated from Kingston High School and attended Southeastern State Oklahoma and Oklahoma Baptist University.

Mr. Corsaut serves a church in France. He volunteers with the church’s variety of outreach programs, including helping out with the current immigrant crisis.

“We are providing drinking water and safe havens for immigrants who are marching across Europe,” he said. “We want to be sure to support those who come into France.”

Other than learning French and helping out with the church, Corsaut enjoys spending time with his family and delving into the sport of rugby.

“United States football is extremely similar to rugby. The fan-base and toughness of the players are the same,” Corsaut said.

He and his five-year-old son are currently enrolled on French Rugby teams.

Corsaut’s other project includes working on his two PHD proposals. One of the PHD proposals covers the unique church history of the Chickasaw people. The other PHD proposals require Corsaut to research old French documents to complete the proposal.

He was involved with a program at Southeastern to help the victims of sex trafficking.

“I’m still working with women and children who are stolen and forced into sex slavery in Paris,” he said. “The church is supporting awareness days, marches and fundraisers to serve and support the 27 million victims of sex trafficking.”

Mr. Corsaut’s mother made sure he knew about his Chickasaw heritage. His ancestor was Nelson Chigley, who founded Davis, Oklahoma. On his father’s side, his ancestors where French Huguenots (French Protestants) who fled from France to escape religious persecution in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

He graduated from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He taught religious studies, biblical studies, literature and history courses at Southeastern. He became the college pastor on campus and has been involved in ministry work for 10 years around the world. He has travelled to Africa, South America, China, Israel, Palestine and Turkey for ministry outreach. While visiting various countries missionary work, he merged his second passion of sports into his travels. Amongst his other certifications and degrees, Mr. Corsaut is also a CrossFit certified coach.

“I have taught basketball in Turkey and American football in Israel,” he said. “I’ve worked with universities and students from across the world. Sports is a great way to bridge gaps and build friendships.”

Mr. Corsaut said knowing he was part of a deeper purpose had led him to meet amazing people and visit foreign lands.

“God has given us such healthy minds,” he said. “It would be a shame to not be a good stewards to this gift.”