By Marilyn Stewart, NOBTS communications
NEW ORLEANS (NOBTS communications) – More than 4,000 friends and dignitaries gathered in front of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College June 14 to celebrate the dedication of the Fred Luter Jr. Student Center, and to hear the presentation of a state resolution accompanied by local proclamations honoring “the pastor of New Orleans.”
Meanwhile, the air of festivity was enhanced by the smell of New Orleans’ signature char-grilled oysters cooking onsite combined with the sound of the Franklin Avenue Baptist Church choir’s singing.
DOUBLE HONOR
Jamie Dew, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College president, turned to the guest of honor, Fred Luter Jr., pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, and a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, during the ceremony and asked him to survey the large crowd.
A big crowd turned out for the dedication of what students have already
dubbed “The Fred,” the newly renovated student center on the campus of
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
“Do you see them?” Dew asked. “Do you see the people you’ve had an impact on? Do you see the people throughout our Convention that you have had an impact on?
“You have been faithful. You have been diligent. You have labored hard, and God, through your humble obedience to Jesus Christ, has used you profoundly,” Dew continued. “We celebrate you tonight, my friend.”
The Fred Luter Jr. Student Center faces the busy Gentilly Blvd. that runs in front of the seminary. The building once housed a well-known clothing department store. Now the renewed facility is a central feature of the NOBTS campus as a home for NOBTS and Leavell College offices, classrooms, study rooms, the North American Mission Board Church Planting Center, and the Global Mission Center in partnership with the International Mission Board.
Elizabeth Luter, wife of the honoree, was herself celebrated in a surprise announcement that drew shouts and cheering from the crowd. Dew announced that the newly renovated study rooms, also referred to as carrels, inside the Fred Luter Jr. Student Center were named in her honor.
“He calls you his ‘prime rib’ so we thought it was fitting that something inside would be named after you,” Dew said.
Tony Evans, LifeWay author, pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship and president of the Urban Alternative, sent video congratulations to his “good friend,” praising Luter for his impact and investment in the SBC.
“Most important of all is your commitment to our great God and His Word, your faithful proclamation and dedication and illustration of kingdom commitment,” Evans said. “I am proud to be your friend. I am proud as an African American to join you in this first-in-a-lifetime opportunity and recognition. I hope generations to come will come to know and appreciate the life and legacy of Pastor Fred Luter.”
Gary Shows, chairman of the NOBTS and Leavell College 2022 board of trustees that unanimously voted to name the center in Luter’s honor, said Luter is known widely as “the pastor of New Orleans” for his leadership and for the “special place he holds in the hearts of NOBTS and the city.”
Waylon Bailey, chairman of the NOBTS board of trustees and pastor of First Baptist Church, Covington, Louisiana, praised Luter’s impactful ministry and told of the first time he heard Luter’s name decades earlier. Bailey recounted hearing that Luter was “the new pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church and is reaching men for Christ.” He also pointed to the significance of Luter’s election as the first African American SBC president and the thrill of being backstage at the Convention when the election results were announced to overwhelming joy.
Other Southern Baptist Convention leaders also were present: Bart Barber, SBC president; Willie McLaurin, interim president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee; Paul Chitwood, president, International Mission Board; Jason Allen, president, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; Jonathan Howe, vice president for communications, SBC Executive committee; Ben Mandrell, president and CEO, Lifeway Christian Resources; and former SBC presidents Ed Litton and Jim Henry were among many others who represented the SBC Executive Committee and the NOBTS trustee board.
Dew recognized several politicians and city dignitaries in the crowd and welcomed them to speak.
State Senator Joseph Bouie Jr. read from Louisiana Senate Resolution No. 167 that commended Luter for being “an exemplary leader, devoted servant, and unwavering advocate for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Bouie, along with State Representatives Jason Hughes and Matthew Willard, authored and sponsored the resolution.
The resolution reads that the occasion marks “one of the first buildings named for an African American on a Southern Baptist Convention seminary campus”; notes Luter’s service as the first African American president of the SBC; praises Luter’s commitment to the New Orleans community with service marked by “compassion, vision, and dedication to empowering others to live transformed lives in Christ”; and commends Luter for his “selfless service, exemplary leadership, and transformative impact on the lives of countless individuals.”
Further recognition came from the city of New Orleans:
— Mayor LaToya Cantrell noted the importance of the faith community to the city and praised Luter for his legacy.
— City Councilman Eugene J. Green Jr. presented a city proclamation honoring Luter’s lifelong ministry in New Orleans that is “exemplary and greatly appreciated.”
— City Councilman Oliver Thomas presented a proclamation that included Luke 14:11 and praised Luter and his “devoted” wife Elizabeth Luter and reads, “Your warm demeanor and your passion to share the gospel continues to edify the Body of Christ.”
Dew recounted that as a new Christian he listened to Luter’s sermons on cassette tape and admired him as a “hero of the faith.” Dew said his admiration for Luter did not change after meeting Luter four years ago when he came to NOBTS as president.
“Southern Baptists, I know you know him. I know you love him. I know that you esteem him … but I can tell you having lived four years in this city, and seeing the impact … God has made through him, that this man is exactly who we always thought he was.”
