The closing chapels of the spring semester at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary included a time of commissioning for students participating in summer missions work and a time of celebration to note outstanding academic achievement and performance throughout the year.
Commissioning Service
NOBTS and Leavell College students participating in summer missions work were recognized and prayed for during chapel on Thursday, May 1.
After a message from Greg Wilton, dean of Leavell College, students who will be participating in any form of mission work (either domestic or international) or camp ministry during the summer were asked to come to the front to be prayed over by faculty members.
Many of these students will be serving with the International Mission Board or the North American Mission Board. Some students will be serving with these mission entities for an extended period of time beyond the summer months.
Greg Mathias, director of the seminary’s Global Mission Center, spoke to the importance of this mission work for the institution.
“These men and women who have said yes and are going represent who we are as a school,” Mathias said.
“On our very seal we have The Great Commission. We are a Great Commission seminary. As they go forward and serve in their different ministry spots, I would tell them to be bold with the Gospel. Don’t ever be shy with the Gospel. Also be quick with compassion, meeting needs and serving people. As you do these things, continue to cultivate a deep walk with the Lord Jesus.
“You never go alone. The Lord goes with you, and you have this NOBTS community with you as well. As you all are going, the rest of us are remembering and praying.”
Celebration of Excellence
Notable student performance and faculty achievement were honored during the annual Celebration of Excellence service on Tuesday, May 6.
NOBTS President Jamie Dew opened the last chapel of the spring semester by expressing his gratitude for another year of study, service and ministry preparation.
“The posture of our hearts today as we talk about these different awards and recognitions is not to say ‘hey look at what we’ve done or how great we are,’” he said. “Rather, it’s about expressing gratitude to the Lord for what He’s done in and through us. We celebrate the way He has been faithful to us. All of these things are a gift from the Lord.”
Awards were given to NOBTS and Leavell College students for their outstanding performance in the classroom, ministry service and character.
Outstanding Student Award recipients in the degree programs were:
Other Outstanding Award Recipients included:
Additionally, various NOBTS and Leavell College faculty members were recognized and honored for their service and ministry throughout the year.
Faculty contributions to the church and the academy were recognized with the Marvin Jones Awards for Excellence, named for longtime Louisiana minister of education, church planter, and NOBTS alumnus.
Tawa Anderson, associate professor of Philosophy and Apologetics, received the award for Outstanding Teacher in recognition for his classroom performance.
Outstanding Faculty Churchman went to Thomas Strong, professor of New Testament and Greek. This year, Strong celebrates 20 years as pastor of Metairie Baptist Church.
Jody Dean, professor of Christian Education, received the award for Outstanding Research Professor for publishing several academic works related to church administration and service throughout the year.
Three NOBTS faculty members were recipients of the Ola Farmer Lenaz Grant in support of their continued research efforts. These faculty members were Alan Bandy, Terry Iles and Ethan Jones.
A special trustee-approved resolution was gifted to Heather Johnson, wife of Mark Johnson, celebrating his election as President of Louisiana Christian University (LCU). Johnson will begin his role as President on June 1.
Faculty publications released through the year were also recognized.
Several NOBTS and Leavell College staff members were also honored for notable work anniversaries during the ceremony.
Staff members with service anniversaries of 10 years included Josh Millwood and Eric Reeves. Staff member Linda Jackson was recognized for 20 years of service, and staff members Eric Benoy and Vernon Worley were recognized for 30 years of service.
Laurie Watts, associate vice president of information technology and professor of educational technology, was recognized by President Dew for 40 years of service to the seminary.
Watts holds multiple degrees from NOBTS, provides leadership of the seminary’s IT department and is a member of the President’s cabinet.
“Laurie and her team are a case in point of the humility and the servanthood that we should all strive to,” Dew said. “I commend Laurie and her team to you as a model and ask you to join me in thanking her for her work.”
The full commissioning chapel can be viewed here, and the full celebration of excellence service can be watched here.
