News Articles by Gary D. Myers

NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- Trustees of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College affirmed new president Jamie Dew's vision for the institution by approving a new mission statement during their fall meeting Oct. 9. The newly approved mission statement reads, "New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College prepare servants to walk with Christ, proclaim His truth, and fulfill His mission." The statement echoes the core themes of servanthood, Gospel proclamation, spiritual fervor and mission involvement that Dew has been sharing with Southern Baptists since his election as the school's ninth president in June.

TEL HADID, Israel (BP) -- Nestled between accounts of Israel's defeat at the hands of the Assyrian army and the rise of Hezekiah's kingship in Judea, the importance of 2 Kings 17:24-40 can be easy to overlook. The verses speak of the people groups the Assyrians sent to the region of Samaria in Israel after the fall of the Northern Kingdom and the deportation of the Israelite elites.

NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- The executive committee of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's board of trustees approved a plan to renovate the former location of the campus LifeWay Store for use as offices for both Leavell College and enrollment as well as a campus welcome area. On Aug. 1, the executive committee unanimously approved a preliminary design for the space and a budget of $100,000 to complete the renovations. Seminary leaders hope to have the space renovated by January 2020.

ATHENS (BP) -- Amid the fading beauty of central Athens, not far from the ancient ruins that draw so many tourists, a monumental refugee crisis persists. Along with suffering and uncertainty, the unfolding crisis offers an unprecedented opportunity for Gospel witness among Muslims. And for the past two years, members of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary community have traveled to Europe to minister among the refugees.

NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- James K. "Jamie" Dew Jr., vice president for undergraduate studies and distance learning at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, has been nominated as the next president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The presidential search committee will present Dew to the full trustee board for a vote on June 5.

NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- When New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Chancellor Chuck Kelley announced his "Different Voices Initiative" in 2018, a top priority involved encouraging students from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds as well as women to pursue a calling to academia. A May 6 workshop, "Faculty Hiring 101," marked a key step toward that goal, offering practical tips for those sensing a call to teach in a Baptist institution.

NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- Frank Cox, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustee board chairman, updated the board on the status of the presidential search during their spring meeting, saying the committee had narrowed its focus to four top candidates. The search committee, led by Cox, was formed last fall after Chuck Kelley announced his intention to retire on July 31, 2019. The committee encompasses 11 voting members -- nine trustees, a faculty member and a student.

NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees approved three new degrees and curriculum updates for Leavell College and elected new faculty members during their spring meeting April 17. Trustees also received updates on the seminary's "Different Voices" diversity initiative and spring enrollment growth, and they approved the seminary's budget for the coming academic year.

NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- A new program by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College will allow pastoral ministry students to earn both the bachelor of arts degree and the master of divinity degree in just five years. Made possible through an anonymous grant, the Accelerated B.A.+M.Div. program will shorten a pastoral ministry student's time in school by two years.

NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has been awarded a $1,005,000 core funding grant to support the school's community counseling and childhood education efforts. "We have a deep commitment to making a positive impact on our community through ministry engagement and community partnerships," NOBTS Chancellor Chuck Kelley said of the grant provided by Baptist Community Ministries (BCM) "[BCM] has ...