NEW ORLEANS (BP)–The New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary family is mourning the loss of Jim Headrick, associate professor of pastoral counseling. Headrick, 61, died suddenly of heart failure on Feb. 4.
“Dr. Jim Headrick was a faithful friend, a passionate preacher and an excellent teacher,” said Chuck Kelley, president of NOBTS. “He found in the ministry of counseling opportunities for soul-winning and discipleship as well as opportunities to help hurting people. We will deeply miss him.”
In 1999, after serving two years as assistant professor of psychology and counseling at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas, Headrick joined the NOBTS faculty, occupying the Baptist Community Ministries Chair of Pastoral Care and Counseling. Headrick had more than 35 years of ministry experience serving churches in Texas, Alabama and Louisiana.
Headrick, a Baton Rouge, La., native, received his bachelor of arts degree from Louisiana College in Pineville and earned master of religious education and doctor of education degrees from NOBTS. During his time as a student at NOBTS, Headrick received specialized clinical pastoral training at the Southeast Louisiana Mental Hospital in Mandeville and was a licensed professional counselor.
“Dr. Jim Headrick’s gentle spirit and constant displays of mercy and encouragement endeared him to those who knew him, and his faithfulness to proclaim the Word of God in his teaching and counseling served as an example to all of us,” said Tate Cockrell, instructor in psychology and counseling at NOBTS. “When students asked for prayer in his classes, they knew he genuinely cared about them. They knew he believed that God would answer their prayer. He would quote a promise from God’s Word, encourage the student and pray sincerely that God would intervene. I count it one of my highest honors that I could call him friend.”
Headrick and his wife of 40 years, Linda, members of First Baptist Church of New Orleans, had a teaching ministry known as “Heart to Heart Ministries.” For more than 15 years they conducted conferences, seminars and retreats all across the country enriching marriages, families and individuals. They taught on many subjects including marriage enrichment, pre-marriage, newly married, communications and intimacy. The basis of the ministry was the concept that a victorious life requires not only knowing the Word of God but also living the Word in all situations and circumstances.
Headrick is survived by his wife; two daughters, Angela Kaye Headrick of Ponchatula, La., and Kristie Leigh Headrick Robison of Saraland, Ala.; one son, James Douglas Headrick, a master of divinity student at NOBTS; and two grandsons, Cody and Tyler Robison, of Saraland, Ala.
Funeral services for Headrick will be at 11 a.m. Feb. 7 at First Baptist Church of New Orleans.
New Orleans Seminary will hold a memorial service at the Leavell Chapel in the near future.
The Headrick family has established a scholarship fund at New Orleans Seminary in memory of Headrick. If you would like to make a gift in his memory, please contact the NOBTS Development Office at (504) 282-4455, ext. 3252.
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(BP) photo posted in the BP Photo Library at http://www.bpnews.net. Photo title: JIM HEADRICK.
