NOBTS President Dr. Jamie Dew Delivers Chapel Message Oct. 7

October 7, 2020

OBU students and faculty heard from Dr. Jamie Dew as he delivered the virtual chapel message Wednesday, Oct. 7. Dew is the ninth president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and delivered the message from NOBTS.

Dew began his message by reading from John chapter 10. He asked the viewers to consider why it is that Christ is so sweet to us. He answered his question with three points.

“Jesus makes it clear to us that he loves us, and he loves you, sacrificially,” Dew said.

Dew then discussed how the world will entice you and pretend to love you, but only if it gets them something they want and costs them nothing. He contrasted this with the sacrificial love of God, adding that nobody will love you perfectly like God does. Dew described Jesus’ role as the good shepherd, how He continues to sustain us as He has redeemed us, and how this redemption shows his unconditional love.

“Christ is sweet to us, because he saves you and he redeems you,” he said.

Dew made his second point by discussing how Christ saves and transforms the lives of believers. He reminded the audience that Jesus laid his life down sacrificially for those who believe in him.

Dew made his third point by discussing how God does have a plan for our lives, but so does the devil. By following Christ, he noted that we will all hit bumps on the road, but encouraged the audience to take heart for they will live an abundant life.

“Christ is also sweet to us because he gives life abundantly,” Dew said.

Dew concluded by telling the viewers that although college students are tempted by the world, obedience in the Lord helps us to pursue happiness and life abundantly.

Dr. James “Jamie” Dew has two Doctor of Philosophy degrees, a Ph.D. in theological studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Dew earned a Master of Divinity in pastoral ministry from SEBTS and a Bachelor of Science in biblical studies from Toccoa Falls College.

Before serving as NOBTS President, he served as vice president of undergraduate studies and distance learning, as well as associate professor of philosophy and the history of ideas, all at SEBTS. Dew served as senior pastor of Stony Hill Baptist Church in Wake Forest, North Carolina, for eight years. He has also served in a variety of other church ministry positions including minister to adults, youth minister and interim pastor.

Dew and his wife, Tarra, are the parents of two sets of twins, Natalie and Nathan (13) and Samantha and Samuel (10).