This morning during the Founder’s Day Chapel Service on the campus of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS), Dr. Charles “Chuck” S. Kelley Jr. announced he will be retiring from his role as the seminary’s eighth President effective July 31, 2019.
Dr. Kelley was elected President of NOBTS on February 23, 1996 taking office on March 1 of that year. At the time his retirement begins he will have served approximately 23 years as president of NOBTS which will make him the longest tenured president in the school’s 100 year history.
Dr. Kelley responded to God’s call to preach the gospel as a senior in high school and upon graduation he attended Baylor University. He was ordained to the ministry on February 2, 1972 at First Baptist Church of Beaumont, Texas. Dr. Kelley married Dr. Rhonda Harrington Kelley, his college sweetheart, on June 21, 1974.
Upon completion of Dr. Rhonda’s Master’s degree at Baylor the couple moved to New Orleans so that Dr. Chuck could begin the Master of Divinity degree program at NOBTS. He completed his M.Div. in 1978, specializing in biblical studies, and began the Doctor of Theology degree program, with a major in preaching, which he completed in 1983.
Throughout his years of service to the Lord and to the Southern Baptist Convention Dr. Kelley has been well known for his heart for evangelism, his love for our cooperative work and his work in statistical analysis of SBC trends. His highly respected research and his many books and articles have been a blessing to the Southern Baptist Convention.
Among numerous other items, some of what I believe to be Dr. Kelley’s key contributions during his tenure include: (1) His pivotal statistical research on plateaued and declining churches, (2) His leadership in keeping the campus of NOBTS in the Gentilly area of New Orleans when others were encouraging a move to the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain, (3) His early leadership in making long-distance theological education available through on-line and other delivery methods, and (what maybe most importantly to me) (4) His leadership, encouragement and rebuild-determination in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
In the coming weeks and months many wonderful things will be said about the Kelley’s regarding their faithful service. My family and I deeply love and appreciate Drs. Chuck and Rhonda Kelley. What I will most remember about my president is his heart for the lost and his desire that all men would come to know the saving power of Jesus Christ. Thank you, Dr. Kelley, for your faithfulness to Jesus, your great compassion for his bride and your love for our School of Providence and Prayer.
Please head over to see my friend Gary Myers’ piece for a more thoroughly developed story. As always, thanks for your work Gary.
Watching as an outsider, I was very impressed with his tremendous leadership during Katrina and his foresight and vision with their Atlanta campus. Blessings on his retirement and future ministry.
When I think of leadership, trust, honesty, and humility on this earth today …… the name Chuck Kelley tops my list.
I am thankful for Dr. Kelley’s service to Southern Baptists. Thankful for his heart for evangelism and always calling us to faithfulness in that regard.
May the Lord bless him in retirement.
One of my greatest joys in these latter years of ministry were the 10 years I spent on the Board of Trustees at NOBTS. I had always known who Chuck Kelley was, and held he and Dr. Rhonda in high regard over the years. But during my time working closely with Dr. Kelley, Dr. Steve Lemke, and the other great administrators and faculty at NOBTS, I feel that I had opportunity to see his heart. His heart for God, for evangelism, for theological education, for his students, and for reaching New Orleans and the world for Christ was evident. The SBC has been served well by this godly man. I wish him and Dr. Rhonda much happiness in retirement – but if I know Dr. Kelley, “retirement” will mostly just be another word. When I think of all he accomplished in 43 years on the campus of NOBTS – as a professor and President, I can only quote that ancient Hebrew word he used so often. “Wow!”
He has served well. I wish him and his family a fun and productive retirement.
Praying the replacement is a good one.
I’ve always admired Dr. Kelley and especially appreciated his unwavering passion for evangelism. Thankful for his years of service for Southern Baptists.
As others have said – Dr. Kelley has undoubtably been a giant in evangelistic passion. He’s also been a respected SBC leader. He will be missed. God’s blessing upon Drs. Kelley in thier retirement.
Having spent a lot of time myself over the years in New Orleans working with Katrina rebuild… I agree with Jay’s sentiments: Long live a Gentilly located and thriving NOBTS!