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Craig Price named as NOBTS dean of students


NEW ORLEANS (BP)–New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Chuck Kelley has announced the appointment of Craig Price as dean of students, effective Jan. 1.

“We are delighted to find a new dean of students,” Kelley said during the seminary’s trustee executive committee meeting Dec. 14. “Dr. Craig Price comes with a pastor’s heart. He also has previous experience in the academic world, having taught at Ouachita Baptist University.

“We like bringing in administrators and faculty members who have a combination of local church experience and academic experience,” Kelley said. “Dr. Price has both of those and we are looking forward to welcoming him and his family here in January.”

Price has 25 years of pastoral experience serving churches in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia and Texas. He comes to NOBTS after serving as pastor of Hot Springs (Ark.) Baptist Church since 1998.

Educated at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas, Price earned a master of divinity in 1984 and a doctor of philosophy degree specializing in New Testament studies in 1989. Price earned a bachelor’s degree in 1976 and a master’s degree in audiology and speech pathology in 1978 at the University of Florida. Price was licensed and ordained for ministry at Kingwood Baptist Church in Moultrie, Ga.

During the time he pastored Richwoods Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, Ark., 1987-91, Price served as assistant professor of religion at Ouachita Baptist University. At OBU, he taught in the areas of Old and New Testament and pastoral ministry. Price also served as a teaching fellow at SWBTS during his time in the Ph.D. program.

“The love for people that arises out of Dr. Price’s rich pastoral experience will serve our institution and students well,” said NOBTS Provost Steve Lemke. “In addition, his expertise in how to use New Testament exegesis in sermon proclamation is an added plus to our emphasis on expository preaching.”

Committed to state and national convention work, Price has served on a number of boards and committees. While in Florida, Price served on the nominating committee for the Florida Baptist Convention and as a trustee for Florida Baptist Theological College, now named The Baptist College of Florida. He was a trustee for the Arkansas Baptist Children’s Home and Family Ministries and served on the Bi-Vocational Pastor’s Steering Committee for the Home Mission Board (now North American Mission Board).

Price and his wife, Dee, have been married for 26 years. They have two daughters, Shelley, 18, and Drew, 15.

Kelley and Lemke expressed their appreciation to Ken Keathley, who served as dean of students since 2000. Keathley left the dean of students position last spring to serve as associate dean of graduate studies. And he continues to teach in the division of theological and historical studies.

“Dr. Keathley has been one of the finest deans of students in the history of our institution,” Lemke said. “However, he is also a world-class teacher and theologian, and his position as associate dean of graduate studies will enable him to focus more on scholarly work.”
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