Floridians earn degrees from NOBTS

NEW ORLEANS (BP)--Ministry won't be easy, Chuck Kelley told the graduating class of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Dec. 18. Churches are declining. Missionaries are being martyred. Many people are uninterested in the Gospel. But through the power of Jesus Christ, ministers can be victorious, he said.

Kelley encouraged each of the 171 graduates – 16 of whom are from Florida – to stay focused on Christ and His Kingdom task rather than on circumstances. The seminary awarded ministry certificates, undergraduate degrees, master's degrees and doctoral degrees.

"That is the challenge that you have today, to lay aside any distraction and to say once again, looking in the face of Jesus, 'I will give it all to go with You to fish for men,'" he said.

Danny Heath Jr., MMCM, Bronson
Wade Howell Jr., MDIV, Lake Butler
William Hughes*,,BACM, Deltona
Filise Jules, MAMFC, Delray Beach
Tracy Lightkep, MDIV, Pensacola
Adam Livingston, MAMFC, Longwood
Joanne Parker*, BACM, Milton
Jesse Reeder, MDIV, Bonifay
Marcia Griffin*, MAMFC, Monticello
James Whited, MDIV, Fort Walton Beach

KEY:

• MMCM (Master of Music in Church Music);
• MAMFC (Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling);
•MDIV (Master of Divinity);
• DMIN (Doctor of Ministry);
• BACM (Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry);

*July 30 graduates.