By Marilyn Stewart, NOBTS communications NEW ORLEANS – The addition of a new faculty member and several curriculum changes were approved by the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary board of trustees’ executive committee June 6. Jeff Audirsch, elected as associate professor of biblical studies in the seminary’s Leavell College, comes to NOBTS from his position as associate professor of Christian studies at Shorter University in Rome, Ga., and from prior service on the faculty of Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, Ga., where he was named the 2010-2011 Outstanding Teacher. In action related to curriculum, the board approved course content filling out the requirements for the Christian leadership major in the doctor of philosophy program. Approved in the October 2016 board of trustees meeting, the new major is designed to prepare students to lead in local congregations, teach at colleges, universities and seminaries or serve in administrative or leadership roles within the various boards, entities and commissions of the Southern Baptist Convention. “Christian leadership is one of the areas about which students express the greatest interest,” NOBTS Steve Lemke said. “This new Ph.D. major, available either in person … [Read more...]

HAUGHTON – First Baptist Church in Haughton will host a Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief training session July 28-29. The two-day training will begin at 5:30 p.m. July 28, with training for those wanting to serve on a feeding unit. Supper is provided. Liz Landers, a chef for notable Hollywood celebrities who volunteered on the feeding unit during the March 2016 floods in northwest Louisiana, will lead the feeding training. The following day, training for mud-out and chainsaw team volunteers will begin at 8:30 a.m. Breakfast is provided for those participants. Marvin Leleux, pastor of Springhill Baptist Church in Ringgold, will lead the mud-out training. Toby Wilemon, a commercial construction superintendent and member of First Baptist Church in Blanchard, will head up the chainsaw training. Wilemon was among those Disaster Relief volunteers who helped with efforts to assist homeowners in DeSoto Parish clean up after storms caused damage in the month of June in the area. Registration costs vary. First-time attendees will pay $28, which includes a background check, training materials, ID badge, hat, shirt and lunch. Those renewing their certification will pay $13, which includes a background check and ID … [Read more...]