Each year, fall marks the start of another exciting adventure for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The campus comes alive with activity and with a renewed sense of hope.
This year is certainly no exception!
For more than a century, NOBTS has been training students to be a light for Christ in a dark world. And while we’re incredibly thankful for our past, God’s work in the present reminds us that more incredible days are coming. It’s a new day on our campus, and that means new opportunities for you to be involved in what God is doing among our students and faculty.
In fact, your prayers are more important now than ever.
As you may know, earlier this year, I was elected to serve as the 9th president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College. In these first months, I have outlined four strategic priorities that will secure the health and growth of our institution for the future.
First, we must grow Leavell College. Leavell already serves as an incredible ministry training ground, and this initiative will only enhance its growth. The new plan calls for the school’s degree programs to expand and for its offices to relocate to the lower floor of the Hardin Student Center. This will be an exciting season for Leavell College.
In addition, work has already begun toward increasing enrollment across NOBTS. To assist with this vital priority, the trustees approved a newly created a vice presidency for enrollment. I have hired Dr. Larry Lyon to fill this role. Dr. Lyon will be identifying and implementing programs to help the seminary reach its full potential and serve as many students as possible.
A third priority challenges our marketing and communications team to find new and creative ways to share the story of NOBTS. At every opportunity, we want to remind our Southern Baptist partners that our community is a fantastic place for ministry. New Orleans is both an exciting city and a diverse mission field. Students who prepare here are ready to face challenges around the world. This makes NOBTS and Leavell College an ideal training ground for future church and missions leaders, and that’s a message we want to share again and again.
Finally, I wish to re-engage and re-inspire the NOBTS family throughout our denomination. Nurturing strong relationships with individuals and churches is an essential task if we are going to fulfill the mission that God has given us. Of course, this includes individuals like you—people who will partner with us as our school moves forward.
While these priorities represent a new chapter of our institution’s life, you should know that the overall mission of NOBTS is going to be strengthened. We will continue training servants to make a difference in the world for Christ. The gospel remains the central focus for every class we teach, every program we offer, every dollar we raise, and every initiative we pursue. We can do nothing without the Lord’s blessings, so we will strive to follow Him closely—and will teach our students to do the same.
As you can see, this mission is bigger than any single individual. In fact, it’s bigger than all of us collectively. It is a God-sized calling, and we will need His blessing at every turn. He has to be the One building this house. Otherwise, all our labor will be in vain (Ps. 127:1).
We will also need support from faithful friends like you.
That’s why we’re asking you to regularly pray for our ministry and about the role the Lord wants you to play in the meeting our school’s financial challenges. While we know that God ultimately provides for our needs, we are grateful for the people He moves to generously invest in our mission. The support of our friends and partners allows us to carry on the work of preparing students to walk with Christ, proclaim His truth, and fulfill His mission.
We’re inviting you to join us in our new adventure.
Thank you in advance for your prayers and support. And, most important, thank you for all you do for God’s kingdom and God’s glory.
