NOBTS Trustees Approve New Faculty, Hear Positive Reports • Bible Writers

NEW ORLEANS (BP) – The Board of Trustees of New Orleans Baptist Theology Seminary (NOBTS) and Leavell College approved new faculty positions during its fall meeting Oct. 8-9 and received a number of positive reports.

The Board of Trustees heard reports on spiritual education initiatives on campus, budget updates and fundraising successes, updates to facilities around campus, enrollment updates, plans to develop strategic initiatives for the next five years, and the announcement of a new program for Leavell College.

NOBTS and Leavell College President Jamie Dew opened the first plenary session on Tuesday morning (October 8) by presenting some of the administration’s goals for trustee meetings.

“We are excited to have you here and can’t wait for you to see the campus, see the students, and spend more time with people today,” Dew said.

“I have told you before that I think about our responsibility as an administration and the responsibility that has been given to you and ultimately to Southern Baptists. I think we should measure ourselves in these three categories: mission, morale and money. By money we don’t just mean finances, but really the overall health of the institution.

“That’s why we organize these entire meetings and everything that goes with them, to give you the best possible insight into these three categories.

During the two-day meeting, the Trustees made two new presidential appointments:

• Eli Byrd, assistant professor of Christian ministry
• Michael Wang, assistant professor of discipleship

These faculty members will serve two years as part of this presidential appointment and will then be eligible for election by the Board of Trustees.

Two faculty members elected by the Board of Trustees at the end of their two-year terms were:

• Tawa Anderson, associate professor of philosophy and apologetics
• Matt James, assistant professor of historical theology

“The Lord has allowed us to really build a faculty that is exciting and that people want to study in,” Dew said.

“We are grateful to the Lord for that. And it’s not just the new faculty that we have, but also the existing faculty when I came here that are still with us today. These are exciting people and these are good people.”

Additionally, Kevin Cho, who serves as chaplain for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, was welcomed as a new trustee.

Mike Wetzel, vice president of institutional development, provided an update on the seminar budget and discussed continued fundraising success.

“God’s faithfulness surpasses any goals or hopes we could ever have,” Wetzel said.

“Psalm 90:17 says, ‘The favor of the Lord our God be upon us; Establish for us the work of our hands.’ God has indeed shown us His favor and has confirmed the work of our hands.”

Regarding spiritual formation initiatives on campus, Thomas Strong, vice president for spiritual formation and student life, said he is excited about what God is doing on campus.

“I continue to be amazed at God’s work in and through the lives of our students, faculty and staff,” Strong said.

“We see people growing in their intimacy with Christ and becoming willing to live well for Him as servants and follow Him wherever He leads, including serving in our city while here as a student. The realization is that what happens on our campus in our lives is something only God can do, and we quickly realize that the glory belongs to Him alone.”

Trustees also heard an announcement about a brand new year-long Leavell College program called ServeNola.

The Gap Year Program is designed for new students who are interested in pursuing a ministry but are unsure what their next step is. Participants can explore their calling during an extended period of service in New Orleans and receive up to 30 hours of course credit.

After a day full of positive news, trustees gathered with other NOBTS family and friends for the school’s annual Fall Festival. The event took place on Tuesday (October 8) and was an evening of food, fun and fellowship at the start of the fall season.

Eddie Wren is Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Zachary, La.

“The meeting was very productive and we completed all of the tasks set out for us,” Wren said.

“Two things that were great were the welcome from Dr. Anderson and Dr. James as lecturer and welcoming Kevin Cho from California as new trustee. Welcoming new trustees reflects the collaborative nature of Southern Baptists.

“The highlight of the week for me was probably just being on campus and hearing the stories of what God is doing through the seminary in various ministries and in the lives of our students. The fall festival on campus was great and seeing the energy in the service during chapel. As a former student here, it gave me courage because I am grateful for this place and love this school.”

(EDITOR’S NOTE —Timothy Cockes is a writer in Nashville.)