NOBTS graduate Gary Myers has been appointed as associate director of the Michael and Sara Moskau Institute of Archaeology at the seminary.
Myers is a four-time graduate of NOBTS, and his degrees include a Master of Arts in Biblical Archaeology and a Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Interpretation.
Myers has participated or co-led several excavations with the archaeology institute and has made several academic presentations on a variety of topics within the field. He will continue to serve in his current ministry role as missions minister at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana.
“I am excited to enter this new role with the Moskau Institute," Myers said.
"Dr. Jim Parker and Dr. Dennis Cole mentored me in my archaeology journey through their work at the Institute and our excavations at Tel Gezer and Tel Hadid. I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to invest in others who are entering the field of biblical archaeology."
The Michael and Sara Moskau Institute of Archaeology is a ministry of New Orleans Baptist seminary and serves to encourage the scholarly development and research of the seminary's faculty and students regarding archaeology and biblical studies.
It partners with the H. Milton Haggard Center for New Testament Textual Studies to facilitate the seminary's Museum of the Bible and Archaeology.
The Institute continues the seminary's long history of involvement in archaeology, as NOBTS professors and students have been participating in various archaeology research for more than 50 years. In recent years, the Institute has participated in several excavations in the Greater New Orleans area as well as in Italy and Israel.
Jim Parker serves as executive director of the Michael and Sara Moskau Institute and professor of biblical interpretation and archaeology. He voiced his enthusiasm for Myers stepping into this role.
"Gary has been involved in the Institute and has worked on various excavations including Tel Gezer and Tel Hadid for over a decade," Parker said. "We are beyond proud and excited to make this announcement."
Myers said he is thrilled to continue working with the Institute and praised the seminary for its continued support of the archeology program.
“These are exciting days for biblical archaeology and for the seminary’s excavation work," Myers said.
"Time and time again we are finding convergence between what we see in the biblical text and what we find in the ground. Even some of the most mundane finds are helping us to better understand the culture we encounter in the Bible. The institute plays a key role helping churches and pastors keep up to date on newer finds and continue to grow in their understanding of the Bible’s historical context.
“I am grateful that the seminary and the Institute have worked so hard to maintain an evangelical voice in archaeology and I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to continue that legacy.”
