NEW ORLEANS (BP)–Trustees at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary added an Islamic studies instructor and welcomed two presidential appointments during an Oct. 10 meeting.
After the election of Page Brooks as instructor in theology and Islamic studies, NOBTS President Chuck Kelley announced the appointment of Jerry Pounds as professor of discipleship and assistant to the president and Bayne Pounds as assistant professor of Christian education and director of institutional reports.
Brooks is in the dissertation phase of his Ph.D. studies at NOBTS. He was serving as an instructor during the fall semester under presidential appointment. Brooks also is the seminary’s director of student enlistment.
“With Islam emerging as one of the major worldviews confronting Christianity, we see great value in adding Page Brooks as our second faculty member with expertise in Islamic studies,” NOBTS Provost Steve Lemke said. “He and Michael Edens will develop a strong Islamic studies program. In regard to teaching theology, Page brings an unusually rich blend of experience as a pastor, a large church staff member, a military chaplain, a college teacher and a seminary teacher to the theology classroom.”
Brooks served as associate minister of adult ministries at First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, S.C., before joining the faculty. From 2001-05, he was senior pastor of Rio Vista Baptist Church in metro New Orleans. He also is a chaplain in the Army National Guard and Reserve. His teaching experience includes service as an adjunct faculty member at NOBTS from 2003-07 and an instructor in Christian studies at North Greenville University in South Carolina from 2005-07.
Brooks holds master of divinity and master of theology degrees from NOBTS and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Auburn University in Alabama. In addition to his current Ph.D. studies, Brooks is pursuing a master of theology degree in missiology and religious studies from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa.
Jerry Pounds returns to the NOBTS faculty after five years as president of Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, Ga. He taught Christian education at NOBTS from 1988-94 and again from 1997-2002. Pounds served as vice president for development at the seminary from 2000-02.
He holds a doctorate in education from Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, a master of religious education degree from NOBTS and a bachelor of arts degree from Samford University in Alabama.
In addition to his teaching background, Pounds served as associate pastor of administration at First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, S.C., from 1994-97. He has served as an interim pastor at five churches and led youth groups at six churches.
Pounds has authored or co-authored 12 books, including “Discover the Winning Edge.” He also served as the editor in the youth section of the discipleship training department at the Baptist Sunday School Board (now LifeWay Christian Resources) from 1982-85.
Bayne Pounds’ teaching experience, meanwhile, includes service on the NOBTS faculty from 2000-02, six years of adjunct teaching at NOBTS and two years as an adjunct professor at Carson-Newman College in Tennessee. She also has been a guest faculty member at the Women’s Ministry Institute at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. During her time on the NOBTS faculty, Pounds served as co-director of the women’s ministry program.
From 1994-97, Pounds served as the director of single adult ministries at First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, S.C. She is also a frequent conference leader in areas of youth discipleship and ministerial liability.
Pounds holds doctor of philosophy and master of religious education degrees from NOBTS and a bachelor of arts from Samford.
“It is rare to find new faculty members who have the remarkable experience in Christian education that Jerry and Bayne Pounds bring to our faculty,” Lemke said of the couple. “We are excited about the contribution they are going to make in the lives of our students.”
In other appointments:
— Tim Searcy, professor of Christian education, has been named associate provost for institutional effectiveness.
— Scott Drumm, assistant professor of theological and historical studies in Leavell College, the seminary’s undergraduate school, has been named director of institutional research.
— Kristyn Carver, assistant professor of psychology and counseling, has moved from the Leavell College faculty to the graduate psychology and counseling department.
— Craig Price, associate professor of New Testament and dean of students, was named associate dean for online education.
— Jimmy Dukes, associate provost and professor of New Testament, was named NOBTS regional associate dean for Florida and director of the Orlando extension center hub. He also serves as director of theological education for the Florida Baptist Convention.
— Charles Harvey, professor of Christian education, was named director of student services for the Orlando extension center hub. He also serves as associate pastor for theological education at First Baptist Church in Orlando and as associate director of theological education for the Florida Baptist Convention.
— Francis Kimmitt, associate professor of Old Testament and Hebrew in Leavell College, has been named acting assistant director and acting director of student services for the north Georgia hub in Marietta.
— Allen Jackson, professor of youth education, was named interim chair of the Christian education division.
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Gary D. Myers is director of public relations at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
