New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is mourning the loss of alumnus and former staff member Clay Carroll, who died Aug. 17 at the age of 38 after a battle with cancer. 

Carroll graduated with his Master of Arts in Missiology in 2015 and after graduating worked on campus in several positions including Director of Alumni Engagement. He is survived by his beloved wife Bekah and their four children: Eli, Lydia, Eden and Judson. 

“We grieve with Bekah and Clay’s entire family," NOBTS President Jamie Dew said.  

"Clay was kind, compassionate and genuinely Christlike in all aspects of life. We are grateful for his constant faith and proud of the way he handled the trial of cancer over the past few years.”  

Carroll was passionate about ministry and his love for NOBTS. He is remembered as a loving husband and father, devoted friend and faithful minister of the Gospel.  

Specific areas in which Carroll ministered throughout his life include pastoring, mission trips, discipling other men, leading small groups and sharing the Gospel.  

During his time working for NOBTS, Carroll attended Lakeshore Church.  

NOBTS professors George Ross and Greg Mathias serve as elders at Lakeshore, and said Carroll was courageous and faithful during a hard season.   

"The Carroll’s have had one of the most difficult journey's you could imagine over the last three years, and through it all they have consistently glorified the Lord," Ross said.  

"It was an honor to know and serve alongside Bekah and Clay. They are two of the finest people you will ever meet. Clay was such a faithful presence, servant and witness at Lakeshore Church. He was loved by everyone who knew him. My children adored him and his family, and he will be dearly missed. His faith has indeed become sight." 

Mathias echoed that Carroll "deeply loved his family and was faithful to the Lord." 

"This was evident in his commitment to the local church throughout his life and in his legacy of investment in the lives of his family and many others. I miss my friend, but I count it an honor to have known him, laughed with him and served alongside him. I look forward to seeing Clay again." 

During his time at NOBTS, Carroll was known for his close relationship with many faculty, staff and students. He often discipled and mentored other men at the seminary. 

One such example was Bo Smith, Send Network Pathways Strategist for the South Region. 

Smith completed both his Doctor of Ministry and Ph.D with NOBTS and got to know Carroll in his time at the seminary.  

"Clay was someone everyone wanted to be in all the best ways," Smith said.  

"He modeled what it means to love and follow Christ. The way he loved and served his wife, children, family, friends and the body of Christ was exceptional. Clay was fully present, investing in the lives of those he knew and loved. His kind nature and drive to honor the Lord by doing all things with excellence was inspiring."   

Another example was Cason Key, who was closely discipled by Carroll during his time as a master's student.  

"Clay played a tremendous role in my life while I was attending NOBTS," Key said.  

"We would meet weekly in his office for discipleship where we talked about faith, ministry and life. Clay challenged me in my walk with Christ, particularly by holding me accountable to faithfully read God’s Word. He also helped me grow as a godly husband and modeled for me what it looks like to be a great father.  

"I am a better disciple of Jesus because of Clay, and I am incredibly grateful for the investment he made in my life." 

Originally from Arkansas, Carroll was residing with his family in the state at the time of his passing. 

Clay and his wife Bekah would often write updates about his battle with cancer on their blog.  

Despite the difficult season he was in, Clay spent time in his last years writing letters of encouragement, reading books to his kids and investing in extended family and friends. 

In addition to his wife Bekah and their four children, Clay is also survived by many other loving family members.  

Those include parents Brian and Dawne Carroll; siblings Ted (Mindy) Carroll, Micah (Daniel) Wiginton and Cate Crosland; in-laws Mike and Paige McCarley; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jon (Emma) McCarley, Katie (Ryan) Warren, Daniel (Sadie) McCarley and 16 nieces and nephews. 

A graveside service will take place Friday, Aug. 21, at Knoxville Cemetery (Arkansas) at 9:30 a.m. Visitation and home-going service will be at Park Hill Baptist Church in North Little Rock starting at 1 p.m.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Clay Carroll Memorial Fund at First State Bank in Russellville, Arkansas. 

More information and a full obituary can be found here.