NEW ORLEANS (BP)–Continuing a tradition of emphasizing pastoral experience and strong academic credentials in selection of faculty members, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s trustees elected Charles Quarles, a former international missionary, and Reggie Ogea, a former pastor and director of missions, to the faculty March 12.
“We have a passionate commitment to keep the local church at the heart of everything we do, including the selection of faculty,” said NOBTS President Chuck Kelley.
Quarles, named associate professor of New Testament and Greek, is a former pastor and a former International Mission Board missionary/theological educator at the Bucharest Baptist Theological Seminary in Romania. He spent the past year teaching at NOBTS under presidential appointment.
“Chuck Quarles brings not only excellent academic credentials and publications to our faculty, but also significant ministerial experience in the pastorate and in global missions,” said NOBTS Provost Steve Lemke. “He has a mind of a scholar, the heart of a pastor and the passion of an evangelist.”
Previously, Quarles served as chairman of the Bible/theology division and associate professor of New Testament and Greek at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College in Pineville, Ky., and as adjunct professor of New Testament and Greek at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Germantown, Tenn. He also brings more than 10 years of pastoral experience to the seminary.
Quarles authored the book, “Midrash Criticism: Introduction and Appraisal,” published in 1998. He also has written numerous articles for scholarly publications such as the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society.
He holds the bachelor of arts degree from the University of Mississippi and the master of divinity and doctor of philosophy degrees in New Testament from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Julie, have three children, Rachael, Hannah and Joshua.
Ogea was named associate professor of leadership and pastoral ministry and director of the doctor of ministry degree program. Currently serving as director of missions for the St. Tammany Baptist Association in Hammond, La., Ogea has more than 20 years of pastoral experience in the local church.
The seminary offers two professional doctorate programs, the doctor of ministry and the doctor of educational ministry, the latter under the direction of Steve Echols, associate dean for the professional doctorate program. The professional doctorate program has grown in student enrollment from about 50 students to more than 250 over the past four years, creating the need for more faculty involvement in directing these programs. Joe Sherrer serves as director of the doctor of educational ministry program, and Ogea will serve in the director of the doctor of ministry degree position vacated when Charles Harvey Jr. was named vice president for development.
“Reggie Ogea is greatly respected for being a pastor to pastors in his ministry as a director of missions,” Echols said. “This unique background makes him an ideal choice for the position of director of the doctor of ministry program and for teaching in the areas of preaching and pastoral ministry.”
After receiving the bachelor of science degree at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La., Ogea completed the master of divinity and doctor of theology in preaching degrees at NOBTS. He and his wife, Vicki, have three children.
“Reggie Ogea brings a wealth of experience in local church leadership to the seminary,” said Perry Hancock, dean of the graduate faculty. “This local church experience coupled with his associational work uniquely qualifies him to lead the doctor of ministry program.”
Tate Cockrell, who has served as an instructor in counseling since 2000, was re-elected to serve during the 2003-04 school year. A published writer on teenage issues, Cockrell has ministerial experience as a youth minister and counselor.
Promotions were approved for four faculty members: Perry Hancock to professor of discipleship; Paula Stringer to professor of childhood education; Thomas Strong to professor of New Testament and Greek; and Stan Norman to associate professor of theology.
Trustees also granted tenure to three faculty members who have served the seminary since 1998: Harvey; Norman; and Tim Searcy, director of institutional effectiveness and associate professor of Christian education.
In other action concerning faculty, trustees heard proposals and reports concerning sabbaticals. The board approved five preliminary sabbatic proposals, accepted four mid-sabbatic reports and four final sabbatic reports. Trustees also approved sabbaticals for Ken Taylor, associate professor of urban missions, and Michael Sharp, associate professor of music theory and piano, during the 2003-04 school year.
During the meeting, Kelley made the following announcements:
— Don Stewart, professor of New Testament and Greek, has announced his retirement, as has Jeanine Bozeman, professor of social work and chairperson for the division of Christian educational ministries.
— Joe Sherrer will serve as acting chairperson for the division of Christian education ministries.
— Registrar Paul Gregoire has been promoted to dean of enrollment and registrar.
— Jeff D. Griffin has been named acting librarian.
–30–
