NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees elected new members to the faculty, March 12. Charles Quarles, former International Mission Board missionary and pastor was named associate professor of New Testament and Greek; Reggie Ogea was named associate professor of leadership and pastoral ministry and director of the doctor of ministry degree program.

"We have a passionate commitment to keep the local church at the heart of everything we do, including the selection of faculty," said NOBTS President Chuck Kelley.

Quarles had spent the last year teaching at NOBTS; he also had experience as a theological educator at the Bucharest Baptist Theological Seminary in Romania, as chairman of the Bible/theology division and associate professor of New Testament and Greek at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College in Pineville, Ky., and as adjunct professor of New Testament and Greek at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Germantown, Tenn.

"Chuck Quarles brings not only excellent academic credentials and publications to our faculty, but also significant ministerial experience in the pastorate and in global missions," said NOBTS Provost Steve Lemke. "He has a mind of a scholar, the heart of a pastor and the passion of an evangelist."

Quarles who brings a decade of pastoral experience to the seminary is renowned for authoring, "Midrash Criticism: Introduction and Appraisal," published in 1998. He also has written numerous articles for scholarly publications such as the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society.

He holds the bachelor of arts degree from the University of Mississippi and the master of divinity and doctor of philosophy degrees in New Testament from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Julie, have three children, Rachael, Hannah and Joshua.

Reggie Ogea, named associate professor of leadership and pastoral ministry and director of the doctoer ministry program brings over two decades of pastoral experience to the ministry. Ogea will fill the position vacated by Charles Harvey Jr, who was named vice president for development.

"Reggie Ogea is greatly respected for being a pastor to pastors in his ministry as a director of missions," said Steve Echols, associate dean for the professional doctorate program. "This unique background makes him an ideal choice for the position of director of the doctor of ministry program and for teaching in the areas of preaching and pastoral ministry."

After receiving the bachelor of science degree at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La., Ogea completed the master of divinity and doctor of theology in preaching degrees at NOBTS.

"Reggie Ogea brings a wealth of experience in local church leadership to the seminary," said Perry Hancock, dean of the graduate faculty. "This local church experience coupled with his associational work uniquely qualifies him to lead the doctor of ministry program."

The trustees also approved promotions for four faculty members: Perry Hancock to professor of discipleship; Paula Stringer to professor of childhood education; Thomas Strong to professor of New Testament and Greek; and Stan Norman to associate professor of theology. Tenures were granted to three of the senior faculty members:: Harvey; Norman; and Tim Searcy, director of institutional effectiveness and associate professor of Christian education.

By Pauline J.