New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College celebrated more than 280 graduates during their spring commencement ceremonies Friday, May 15. 

Jamie Dew, president of NOBTS and Leavell College, began the ceremonies by reminding graduates of the unique purpose of the seminary’s work. 

“Our institution is designed from the ground up to be very different from other kinds of institutions,” Dew said.  

“There are a lot of wonderful colleges and universities throughout this land that someone can go to and receive their credentials and a world-class education. There’s a real sense in which the world doesn’t really need another school. 

“But we are designed and put here by the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention to do something that is in fact different from what these other universities and colleges do. We have a different focus. Ours is not education for education's sake, but education for the sake of the resurrected Christ and the work of the Gospel among broken people in dark places. We train people to go into those places dark places and shine the light of Christ.” 

During Friday’s ceremonies, NOBTS conferred 188 degrees while Leavell College graduates received 94 undergraduate degrees and certifications.  

Of those Leavell College degrees, 36 of them came via the seminary’s prison education program. Five NOBTS degrees came from the prison education program. 

Dew preached a message to graduates out of 2 Corinthians 4, speaking about the unique calling that compels and will sustain each of the graduates.  

“What could compel us to do what we do, and what could sustain us in doing what we’re called to do?” Dew asked. 

“It can’t be your gifting, education, experience or even words of encouragement from other people.” 

Dew then offered three truths from the passage that will compel and sustain people for ministry. 

1. God often uses the weaknesses in our own lives to display his own power and glory.
2. God sustains us in our affliction and renews our hearts.
3. God has promised a future hope of resurrection. 

“I hope and trust that you graduate today with a real sober sense in your heart and mind of where your strength comes from,” Dew said. “I hope that your trust in not in some plan or some career, but that your hope and trust are found in a person named Jesus Christ. 

“The world may look at you like you are crazy for doing what you do. Quite frankly, in worldly terms you are. But just ignore that. They don’t have eyes to see, and they don’t have ears to hear. Graduates, remember these things as you go into the darkest and hardest places in this world to proclaim Jesus Christ.”