NOBTS announces one-year ‘ServeNola’ program for Leavell College

By Timothy Cockes, NOBTS

NEW ORLEANS (BP) — New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) has announced a brand-new one-year program for incoming Leavell College students called “ServeNola.” 

The program, which will officially launch at the start of the 2025-2026 school year, is designed for incoming students who are interested in pursuing ministry but are not exactly sure what their next step is. 

Selected students will be able to explore their calling through a sustained season of service in New Orleans.

Participants will volunteer with local churches and outreach ministries, engage in a weekly mentor-based discipleship cohort (led by the program’s director) and encounter a variety of nations and cultures as part of the city’s unique ministry context. 

Additional international outreach opportunities are available as an add-on to the program via the International Mission Board’s (IMB) Nehemiah Teams. 

All of this while earning up to 30 hours of course credit.  

“This new program through Leavell College is a perfect opportunity for students that are still exploring God’s direction in their lives,” said Jamie Dew, president of NOBTS) and Leavell College.

“These students are mentored through hands-on life and ministry experience that honors the Lord now, but also equips them for every form of service as they move into their career. 

“They receive this life and ministry experience while earning a year’s worth of college credit in the process. Through these forms of service, students are able to discern God’s calling more effectively.”  

The ServeNola program is meant to support New Orleans Seminary’s mission of preparing servants to walk with Christ, proclaim His truth, and fulfill His mission, as well as the seminary’s four pillars — servanthood, devotion, proclamation and mission. 

The five key components of the program spell out its main emphasis: Serve.  

• Strengthen: Strengthen your walk with Christ through weekly meetings with a mentor. 
• Engage: Engage New Orleans by partnering with local outreach ministries. 
• Reach: Reach the nations in a global context. 
• Volunteer: Volunteer at local churches in New Orleans. 
• Earn: Earn course credit when you meet with your mentor. 

Greg Wilton, dean of Leavell College, said the program will help participants learn the true value of service in ministry. 

“At the heart of ministry is a heart to serve Christ through serving others,” Wilton said. 

“Students who join our ServeNOLA program will get to serve first through an immersive year long ministry of service and come out feeling more confident in the Lord that this is exactly what God is calling them to do with their lives.”

Wilton emphasized that God is working among today’s young people, and he is excited about the potential of the program for Leavell College students.  

“If you could see what I see, you would see God’s unwavering hope and faithfulness amidst these times of uncertainty,” Wilton said.

“God is blessing Leavell College and raising up a larger generation now that is sold out for the Lord and for what He wants. I praise God for our churches who send us these students because they are doing an incredible job raising up the next generation and we’re grateful to partner with them in preparing them for gospel ministry and service.” 

Lifeway named ‘Best Online Shop’ for sixth straight year

By Aaron Earls, Lifeway

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Lifeway Christian Resources was named to Newsweek’s Best Online Shops for the sixth year in a row. Lifeway.com ranked No. 2 in the media category (e.g., books, CDs, DVDs, software) on the list revealed Oct. 9.

Lifeway leaders noted the organization has invested considerable resources in improving the website. Neftali Alverio, interim chief information technology officer, credits the employees who continue working to find ways Lifeway.com can better equip church leaders and serve customers.

“Our digital product and engineer teams at Lifeway strive to model Colossians 3:23 as they design and build first as unto the Lord. They are top-talent teams who work hard and put their best into building great digital experiences,” said Alverio. “This year the teams have done an amazing job improving our search and product pages, seeking innovative ways to create delight with discovery of relevant content and products, updating account management features and continuing to enhance the cart and checkout experience.”

To create the list and rankings, Newsweek partners with market research company Statista, which screens more than 9,500 online shops in the United States. Shops that pass the initial screening then undergo detailed testing based on 36 objective criteria. Additionally, more than 3,000 American online shoppers evaluate the stores using 10 subjective criteria.

Shops are judged on their success in the areas of trust and security, purchase and delivery, structure and usability, service and communication, technical details, payment, likelihood of purchase and traffic growth. Based on the combined objective and subjective evaluations online shops are assigned a score, with the highest ranking being recognized as one of the Best Online Shops.

“We are sincerely grateful for this encouraging recognition,” said Alverio, “and we are excited to continue crafting and innovating delightful experiences for our customers.”

To see the full list of Best Online Shops 2025, visit Newsweek.com. To experience the highly-rated online Lifeway shop, visit Lifeway.com.