Each
year in October New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary celebrates the school’s beginnings with the Founder’s Day chapel. During this year’s Founder’s Day chapel on Oct. 5, Dr. Jim Futral, Executive Director-Treasurer of the Mississippi Baptist Convention, reminded students of the seminary’s past and gave them a challenge for the future.
Futral, who earned a master’s degree and a doctorate from NOBTS, said Founder’s Day is a day of contemplation. He reviewed a bit of NOBTS history, telling how the entire Southern Baptist Convention got behind the idea of placing a seminary in New Orleans. Futral pointed out the key role that P.I. Lipsey, editor of the Mississippi Baptist Record, and many others played in championing the cause.
Founder’s Day is also a day of consideration, Futral said. He said that “some things should never, ever change” at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
The first thing that should never change is the reliance on God’s Holy Word. He urged the students to “teach it, preach it and live it.”
Futral said that NOBTS should never change its holy mission – following Jesus in obedience wherever He leads; its holy manifest – love for one another; or its holy meeting – daily devotion to God the Father through prayer.
In closing, Futral said it was also a day of continuation. He challenged the current generation of NOBTS to step up to make sure the seminary’s mission continues for future generations.
“We are the next in line to do kingdom work and make a kingdom difference,” he said.