March 13, 2008 | By Paul F. South
  

NEW ORLEANS – Two banners celebrating the school’s ongoing legacy of providence and prayer were dedicated during a March 4 service at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
  

The green banners – one bearing the cross of Christ and the word “Providence,” the other bearing praying hands and the word “Prayer” –  are now on display at the Roland Q. Leavell Chapel.
  

Ron McCaskill, past president of the NOBTS Alumni Association and pastor of the First Baptist Church of Donalsonville, Ga., joined the family of Denise Howell during the dedication of the banners. Howell, a Cairo, Ga., interior designer, served faithfully in a variety of ministry roles at the First Baptist Church of Cairo, Ga., where McCaskill served as pastor for 13 years.
   

Howell was commissioned to design the banners shortly after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. She died shortly after submitting the final designs to NOBTS. Howell’s sister and brother-in-law, Patty and Cal Duke of St. Simons Island, Ga., paid for the production of the banners.
   

“The banners represent what we believe here about our campus,” said Dr. Tony Merida, dean of Leavell Chapel. “This is a place of providence and prayer, a place where God leads and takes care of this institution, and a place where we learn how to pray . . . It is a good thing to be reminded every day of God’s providence and how He hears the prayers of His children.”
  

“The banners serve as a visual witness to remind us daily of our spiritual identity in the family of God,” McCaskill said.  The banners, he said, are a “source of encouragement to our seminary family.”
   

“Denise has put before us the evidence of the power of prayer,” McCaskill said. “Through her ministry among us we will forever be reminded each time we worship in this holy place that our school is a ministry of providence and prayer,” McCaskill said. “To God be the glory.”
   

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