The New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Alumni and Friends Luncheon at the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting highlighted the various ways NOBTS partners with Southern Baptists to fulfill its mission of training people for ministry.
Jamie Dew, president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, opened the luncheon (taking place Wednesday, June 10) by expressing his gratitude to be a part of the NOBTS family.
“When I watch the people on our campus, I often think that I have the greatest job in the world,” Dew said. “Every year that I conclude, I think to myself that it was the best year I’ve ever had in my career. And I think that way again this year.
“I could not imagine a group of people that I would be prouder to belong to and to give my life to. And then when we have an event like this, I see an army of alumni, trustees and more come into this big room and my heart is just beaming with pride and gratitude. It is so great to be at the Southern Baptist Convention and hear all that God is doing in your lives and ministries. We count it a great privilege to be a part of this NOBTS tribe.”
Dew then moved to the focus of the luncheon’s content, which was a discussion about the ways that NOBTS partners with Southern Baptists through local churches, local associations and state conventions.
Dew described the age-old debate about whether theological education is more effective in a seminary context or in a local church.
“When it comes to theological education, people will often argue whether it is better to prepare for ministry in the context of a seminary or in the context of a local church,” Dew said.
“One argument would say there are certain subjects like New Testament, Hebrew or Systematic Theology that you can learn better if you’re in a theological community and you focus a concentrated amount of time at a seminary. Frankly, that type of training is the reason Southern Baptists brought us into existence.
“The other argument would say there are certain practical things that you just don’t learn in seminary and are better learned through ministering in a local church. But what if both of those things are actually true? Here at NOBTS, we have really put our shoulders fully and completely into that quest. We have been asking how we can better partner with local churches, local associations, state conventions and more.”
Dew then led a panel discussion with several Southern Baptist leaders with ties to NOBTS.
In addition to Dew, the panel discussion featured:
Dew asked the panelists about the importance of mentoring in a local church context.
Rummage said, “it’s important to have somebody mentoring you and walking alongside you to help you grow in what you’re doing.”
Warnock added that “personal touch is the best essential core of leadership development, as evidenced with the disciples close time spend with Jesus Christ during his ministry.”
Dew then highlighted the seminary’s new emphasis of the Prepare Network, which is a network of ministry partners designed to help practically train students through mentorship and residency programs.
As part of the Prepare Network, NOBTS students can earn class credit through partnerships with local churches, local Baptist associations and parachurch ministries.
Students can earn course credit through an NOBTS-approved residency program or mentoring relationship with an approved mentor. The program allows students to earn course credit while also getting practical experience with older ministry leaders within the local church.
Franks said this combining practical experience with more traditional classroom teaching can be vital for ministry training.
“There’s no shortage of men and women that God is calling into ministry, but there’s sometimes a gap between the preparation and practice of it,” he said. “Providing hands-on experience for these people is a vital part of their training.”
Raines specifically mentioned the impact his NOBTS professors had on his life.
“I had so many Godly professors during my time as an NOBTS student that invested in me and gave me opportunities,” Raines said. “I try to remind young leaders around me about the value of Godly relationships.”
The luncheon concluded by honoring former NOBTS faculty and staff member Larry Lyon, who began as President of Truett McConnell University this April.
