Dr. Jim Parker is a builder at heart. As an engineer, he uses what he knows about structures and foundations as director of facilities at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College. He's also a theologian and archeologist and uses those skills to encourage and equip students for God's next adventure in their lives.
Beyond his role as director of facilities, Dr. Parker is a professor of biblical interpretation and head of the Moskau Institute of Archeology. There is great joy in seeing God move in these areas of his ministry.
Every day, I still use things that I learned in college (about engineering). I use my mathematics and all kinds of chemistry and physics. However, God has gifted me to help our convention and the Church through teaching, so I get to do that too. It's the best of both worlds.
Dr. Parker first arrived at NOBTS in 2007, when the seminary was still reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. After 25 years of service, he retired—only to return in 2020 just in time to help the campus navigate two more storms, Hurricanes Zeta and Ida.
As a man of many talents, Dr. Parker sees the challenges of Christian higher education from various angles. His experience with our buildings gives him insight into infrastructure needs, while his work in the classroom keeps him focused on the human side of the equation.
Both, he believes, provide a good reason for individuals to invest in NOBTS.
We're in the business of delivering theological education to students who are called by God to be pastors, staff members, missionaries, and denominational workers. Educating is what we're doing, but there are things that you never see—things just under the surface that are essential. We depend on donors for those as well.
Dr. Parker understands the importance of outside generosity, so he gives back to NOBTS and Leavell College through regular gifts to the Providence Fund. Faithful stewardship will make a difference in the lives of students. He knows that, with God's blessing, a new generation of servant leaders will join you as alumni and friends who are committed to walking with Christ, proclaiming His truth, and fulfilling His mission.
NOBTS and Leavell College is an enterprise, and like all enterprises, it needs resources to accomplish the work it sets out to do. But when people give to this enterprise, they are giving to one of the great works in the kingdom of God today. The next generation will be changed because of their generosity.
Your regular gifts to the Providence Fund will allow us to continue the work that fuels the passion of professors like Jim Parker and the students who sit under their tutelage. Every dollar you give to the Providence Fund is a dollar those students won't have to pay. Every dollar you invest helps NOBTS and Leavell College fulfill its calling before God.
Thank you in advance for your prayers and your generous support of NOBTS and Leavell College. We know you have choices for your stewardship, and we appreciate your willingness to join others in building up the work here in New Orleans. May God richly bless you as you give, as you pray, and as you serve Him each day.
