Fred “Chip” Luter III Delivers April 24 Chapel Message

April 24, 2019

Fred “Chip” Luter III, campus pastor at Idlewild Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs, Florida, delivered the OBU chapel message Wednesday, April 24.

Based on John 21, Luter’s message centered on a theme of resurrection to restoration. Luter talked about Peter denying Jesus three times, followed by Peter’s reconciliation in affirming Jesus three times. Luter offered three points of encouragement to students, faculty and staff.

Using Peter as an example, Luter talked about overcoming failure.

“Just because you fail, doesn’t mean you’re finished,” he said. “God can use you, and you can begin again.”

Referencing Revelation 2:2-4, Luter said Jesus must always be your first love.

“Jesus wants everything or nothing. When you love him first, he will lead you to love one another,” he said. “Jesus fulfilled his father’s mission, so now you must fulfill the great commission.”

He encouraged the audience to listen for God’s calling in their lives. 

“Jesus died and rose again yesterday, so you can be restored today,” Luter said. “God wants to restore you.”

Luter is a native of New Orleans and in 2001, he accepted his calling to be a minister of the Gospel of Christ. In fall 2002, he began his studies at Dallas Baptist University, graduating in December 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. While a student at DBU, he served as a resident assistant, president of the Black Student Union, and vice president of the Student Government Association. He also had the privilege of serving as the main speaker for some of DBU’s special events, such as Black Heritage Chapel and Spring Commencement in May 2007.

In 2010, Luter began serving as the pastor of youth and young adults at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans where his father, Fred Luter Jr., is the pastor. In December of that year, he married his wife Jasmine and they now have two children.