New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary officially kicked off the 2026 spring semester with its Convocation service Tuesday, Jan. 20.
“The beginning of a new semester is always our favorite time of the year,” NOBTS President Jamie Dew said in a statement.
“We love our students and are so excited about what God is doing on our campus and in their lives. We look forward to seeing how the Lord moves among us and seeing the next generation finish their degree programs with us this semester and go out into the harvest.”
During the service, held in Leavell Chapel, NOBTS Provost Norris Grubbs presented the keynote message in which he challenged students to be courageous as they face the rigorous semester ahead.
Grubbs began the service by explaining the importance of the Convocation service.
“We gather in a formal service like this not just to mark the beginning of classes, but to remind ourselves of why we are here,” Grubbs said.
“Each of us is here because God has led us here and called us to the serious yet joyful work of knowing Him more deeply and being prepared to serve His Church. This is a moment to pause and acknowledge that the work we do here this semester is dependent upon the Lord.”
Speaking out of Joshua 1, Grubbs preached about the courage Joshua showed when he became the new leader of Israel and took them to the promised land.
“I expect Joshua was very intimidated to follow in the shoes of Moses, even though he was probably the person we would have picked to be the leader as well,” Grubbs said.
“What God basically says to Joshua in this situation is stay tethered to me and my Word if you want to be a success. Before you do anything else, be strong and courageous.
“Joshua’s greatest need wasn’t a battle plan or leadership training. God had already promised Israel the land, so Joshua’s greatest need was simply to walk closely to God by keeping his commands. Then God said He would give Joshua success.”
Grubbs noted another situation that required courage, which was the original founding of NOBTS just over 100 years ago.
The seminary was started after the Southern Baptist Convention voted to create a Bible school in New Orleans, which seemed like an odd choice for a location.
“I think it is very hard for any of us in this room to fathom what a strange and major decision it was to start a seminary in New Orleans,” Grubbs said.
“It was strange because New Orleans was not exactly, then or now, a place with a lot of Evangelicals. Typically, you would start a seminary where there is a base of churches that can help support you.”
Byron Hoover DeMent was eventually chosen as the seminary’s first president, even though Grubbs explained he never knew he was in contention for the job.
Much like Joshua, DeMent would end up courageously following God’s call to start the seminary.
Grubbs concluded by saying the same courage that propelled these leaders can carry current students through their studies.
“I think of how strange and intimidated Dr. DeMent might have felt starting a seminary in New Orleans, but we are sure glad he obeyed,” Grubbs said.
“I wonder if there are some of you here today who have the same kinds of questions about something God has called you to do. If you are facing these kinds of things, the key to your success is not all of the wonderful training you will get here or how gifted you are.
“The key to your success is that you stay close to His Word. The key is that God will never leave you or abandon you.”
The full Convocation service can be viewed on YouTube and Facebook.
