Dew celebrates five years; NOBTS faculty, curriculum updates
By Timothy co*ckes, NOBTS
NEW ORLEANS (BP) — With this week marking the fifth anniversary of his election as president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) and Leavell College, Jamie Dew said serving in the role has been “the honor of a lifetime.”
During a meeting with the Executive Committee (EC) of the Board of Trustees for NOBTS and Leavell College, Dew said he is nothing but grateful to serve as president of the institution.
“From my seat, what a great marriage,” Dew told EC members on Tuesday, June 4.
“I have absolutely loved it. I’ve loved you all. I’ve loved this city. I love our students. I really love where we’re at. It’s hard work. It’s challenging work. There are times when it’s heavy. There are times when it’s hard and difficult and dark, and at the same time it really has been the honor of a lifetime to do this job and to work with you all.
“Despite how hard it can be at times, I have nothing but gratitude to the Lord that he allowed me to get to come here. I told Tara this morning … I’m five years into this and I am just as dumbfounded today that I’m the president of this school as I was five years ago when you elected me to be the president of this school. I really can’t even believe it.”
Dew, who was elected to serve as NOBTS President on June 5, 2019, looked back on the start of his ministry with NOBTS and said he is pleased with the progress that has been made with the four strategic initiatives he outlined upon taking the position.
The four strategic initiatives were an emphasis on Leavell College, enrollment, marketing and communications and denominational engagement.
“It’s not done, but on all four fronts I can remember the vast amount of work that we all put into this,” Dew said. “All four of those things I look back on it, and again I’m not trying to say that we’ve done it and I’m not trying to say that we still don’t have further work to do, but I’m mindful and I hope that you see it too that the Lord has been kind to us and this should bolster us as we move forward.”
Eddie Wren, pastor of First Baptist Church in Zachary, La., and chairman of the Executive Committee, said Dew’s humble leadership has “transformed” the culture of the seminary.
“I am grateful God sent Dr. Dew to NOBTS,” Wren said. “From the moment he stepped on campus he embraced NOBTS, New Orleans and the mission of the seminary.
“In five years, God has used Dr. Dew’s humble leadership to transform the culture of the seminary as faculty, students, and alumni have embraced his motto, “No Peaco*cks.” As God has worked through Jamie, NOBTS has experienced steady growth academically and spiritually. I cannot imagine anyone more suited to lead our seminary during days like these. I count it a great privilege to serve alongside Dr. Jamie Dew.”
During the meeting, Executive Committee members took the following actions and heard the following updates and reports.
New faculty appointments
Dew appointed the following three new faculty members:
- Richard Gambill, assistant professor of expository preaching
- Rebekah Callahan, assistant professor of counseling and ministry
- Terry Iles, assistant professor of Old Testament and Hebrew; director of Ph.D. program
New minor
Executive Committee members approved a proposal to add a communications minor to Leavell College starting this fall.
SEBTS announces small group training Go Certificate
By Mary Asta Halvorsen, SEBTS
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP) – With a desire to equip God’s people to serve the Church and fulfill the Great Commission, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) has announced the release of a new Go Certificate: Small Group Leader Training.
The certificate is designed with local churches in mind to help prepare members to faithfully teach God’s Word, lead small groups and make disciples. It consists of four online, self-paced courses, making it an accessible way for churches to equip prospective leaders from all walks of life. Courses consist of 20-minute lectures taught by SEBTS faculty in their specialized disciplines, offering a strong biblical and theological foundation. They include:
- Teaching for Transformation
- Old Testament Overview
- New Testament Overview
- Christian Doctrine
The cost for the certificate is $100, amounting to only $25 per course. Like SEBTS’s other Go Certificates, the Small Group Leader Training certificate is offered fully online so that it is accessible to anyone in any location.
SEBTS’s Go Certificates exist to provide theological equipping and education in an accessible format for those seeking to learn at their own pace and at a discounted cost. Go Certificates are also ideal training resources for use within the local church, meant to equip both members and church leaders.
For more information on Go Certificates and to learn about this Small Group Leader Training certificate, go here.
