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     Dr. Charles S. Kelley Jr. was elected as the seminary's eighth president in March 1996, following the 20-year presidency of Landrum P. Leavell II, a denominational statesman who made NOBTS one of the world's largest seminaries. A much-requested speaker throughout the SBC, Dr. Kelley is recognized widely for his evangelistic preaching and for his research in the areas of church growth and church health. Dr. Kelley previously taught evangelism at NOBTS for 13 years and from 1993-96 was director of the SBC's first Center for Evangelism and Church Growth, located on the NOBTS campus and named in honor of Dr. Leavell.

     Under Dr. Kelley's leadership, the seminary has embraced a mission to equip leaders to fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandments through the local church and its ministries.

     He also has led the seminary to focus on the core values of Doctrinal Integrity ("Knowing that the Bible is the Word of God, we believe it, teach it, proclaim it, and submit to it"); Spiritual Vitality ("We are a worshiping community, emphasizing both personal spirituality and worship as a seminary family"); Mission Focus ("We are not here merely to get an education or to give one; we are here to change the world through the local church and its ministries"); Characteristic Excellence ("What we do, we do to the utmost of our abilities and resources as a testimony to the glory of our Lord"); and Servant Leadership ("We follow the model of Jesus and exert leadership and influence through the nurture and encouragement of those around us").

     New Orleans Seminary's target is healthy churches, for, as Dr. Kelley has stated, "the health of a seminary is measured by the health of the churches its graduates lead."  

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