NOBTS and Leavell College President Jamie Dew expressed thankfulness for the support of Southern Baptists during his report to messengers of the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla. 

Dew opened his address to the Convention by reflecting on his recent seventh anniversary as president of NOBTS.   

“It’s always a privilege and a joy to see fellow Southern Baptists and to tell you about the good things that are happening down in New Orleans,” Dew said. “My family and I would say that this has been the best seven years of our lives.  

“Thank you, Southern Baptists, for entrusting this work to us and supporting us through the Cooperative Program.”  

Dew elaborated on how effective the Cooperative Program is at enabling the SBC Seminaries, including NOBTS, to provide a quality theological education at a low cost.  

“I often talk to people of other denominations that aspire to get theological education through a seminary, specifically a Master of Divinity degree,” Dew explained.  

“And when I compare what our people have together in these six seminaries versus what the other denominations would have to offer, I am often astounded. A Master of Divinity at other theological schools may cost somewhere between $85,000-90,000. The reason we can charge a fraction of that to our students is because of your sacrificial giving through the Cooperative Program. 

 “On behalf of NOBTS, thank you for being consistent with this and we count it a privilege to serve you.” 

Moving specifically to NOBTS, Dew shared a variety of ways that NOBTS is thriving in her mission.   

“I absolutely love getting to do what I do, and these have been some of the most life-giving years on our campus,” Dew said. “Our students are flourishing and passionate. They are answering God’s call on their lives, and they rise to the occasion by doing what we challenge them to do. 

“Our students are answering a call to take the Gospel to the nations through preaching and pastoring churches and missionary work. It is a joyful thing to see. 

“At NOBTS, we are on mission, morale is high and financials are looking better and better each year.” 

Dew closed by expressing gratitude for the chance to lead New Orleans Seminary.  

“I am grateful to God for an institution that is growing and flourishing and to have the honor of sitting at the helm of this seminary is the joy of a lifetime,” he said.