Contacts: Dr. Norri Grubbs, John Robson
Program Description: New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS), Judson Baptist Association, and the Louisiana State Penitentiary planned and organized a program of theological training for church leaders at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola during the summer of 1995 and was established in August of that same year. The mission of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is to equip leaders to fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandments through the local church and its ministries. The Seminary leadership saw its role in the Angola Extension Center as a fulfillment of the mission of the Seminary. The need for ministry and spiritual leadership was great, and offering a Seminary degree designed to train pastors seemed to meet that end.
Degrees Offered: Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Ministry
Programs Offered: The seminary offers 6 classes which are instructed by certified professors for a total of 16 hours per semester.
The Associate in Christian Ministry degree general education courses, Christian Ministry courses, and free electives. The Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry requires general education courses, a Christian ministry major, a minor in biblical studies, and free electives.
Unique Features: After the 2000 graduation, the LSP Warden assigned the graduates as full-time NOBTS Ministers to minister their peers, under the supervision of the LSP Chaplain’s Department. There are currently 143 incarcerated minister interns serving the incarcerated population at Angola. In addition, there are 22 NOBTS graduates who are serving as missionaries at other correctional facilities throughout the state of Louisiana.
Headquarters: New Orleans, LA
Correctional Facilities Served: Angola Prison
Population Served: Incarcerated students who scored satisfactorily on a pre-college exam given by NOBTS staff, and additionally hold a high school diploma or a GED.
Number of Students: 100 at any point
Graduates to Date: About 200 BA graduates; 50 graduates in 2010
Year Founded: 1995
Founders: Baton Rouge Association, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and Warden Burl Cain
College/University/Organization Partnerships: Leavell College of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS)
Funding: N/A
Program Evaluation: